The first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic wrapped up with last night’s episode on the WWE Network with the round of 16 set to air next.
The eight matches making up this second round include Akira Tozawa vs Jack Gallagher; Tajiri vs Gran Metallic; Drew Gulak vs Zack Sabre Jr.; Noam Dar vs Ho Ho Lun; Brian Kendrick vs Tony Nese; Kota Ibushi vs Cedric Alexander; TJ Perkins vs Johnny Gargano; and Lince Dorado vs Rich Swann.
The second round was taped at Full Sail University on July 14 while the quarter finals will be taped later this month on August 26. The semi-finals and final will be airing live on the WWE Network on September 14.
The NXTTickets.com website is advertising another WWE Performance Center: All Access tour for Monday, September 12 with a price of $1,499 per person.
Those who are willing to pay that sum will get a fantastic tour inside the WWE state-of-the-art training facility that includes a light breakfast and lunch with NXT Superstars, Q&A and orientation session with NXT coaching staff, Q&A and autograph session with NXT Superstars, admission to a private NXT Live Event at the WWE Performance Center that you will help to produce, manage, and watch alongside NXT Superstars, an inside look at a private NXT training session, attend a promo class, and create your very own entrance as NXT Superstars cheer you on.
Apart from that, guests will also receive a commemorative WWE Performance Center: All Access credential, a WWE Performance Center gift bag, limited edition event chair pre-signed by all NXT Superstars, WWE Performance Center: All Access highlight reel, your personal promo video, and professional photos that will be taken throughout the day.
Packages are extremely limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note a mandatory 6.5% convenience fee (Florida State Sales Tax) will be applied to your order at time of checkout. Must be 18 years of age or older, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The mother of WWE Superstar Paige, Saraya Knight, lashed out at online websites for reporting incorrect information about her daughter.
The former WWE Divas champion was pulled from the upcoming New Zealand and Australia tour which takes place next week and several websites reported that she is dealing with personal problems and that’s why she was removed from the tour roster.
“To all dirt sheets that are slandering my daughter you might have to get facts right before posting,” Knight posted. “Melt down my arse!! She is injured!!!!”
Paige is thought to be suffering from back and shoulder injuries and recently posted a video on her Instagram while at the gym at Midnight working to get her “back and shoulder stronger.”
Paige is not new to false online reporting. A few weeks ago her photos with Alberto Del Rio, who she is dating in real life, disappeared from her timeline and most jumped the gun saying the two are no longer together. She quickly started posting them back and then posted a new photo with Del Rio to squash the rumors.
Smackdown this week drew 2,681,000 viewers, down 62,000 viewers from last week’s show. In third week of Raw vs Smackdown, Raw came out victorious again in terms of viewership. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
WWE’s weekly segment on ESPN SportsCenter will be moving to Wednesday nights at 9PM EST since the Tuesday time slot now conflicts with the live Smackdown.
Titled Off The Top Rope and hosted by former WWE announcer and now ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman, the segment takes a look at what went down in the WWE during the week and there’s also an interview with a WWE Superstar. Joining Coach tonight will be the number one contender for the WWE title Dolph Ziggler, his first appearance on the show.
Last year ESPN sent The Coach to Brooklyn to cover SummerSlam on the road and did the same this year for WrestleMania.
Former TNA champion Bobby Roode will make his first proper NXT televised appearance during tonight’s episode on the WWE Network. Roode made his first appearance at NXT Takeover: Dallas and then joined the NXT crew for the tour in the United Kingdom. At NXT Takeover: The End he made another appearance, walking in William Regal’s office.
Also making his NXT return is Hideo Itami. Itami has been wrestling at non-televised events however he has been kept off NXT television since he was written out of storylines in May 2015. Itami was supposed to be part of the NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT title but was “attacked” outside the arena to explain why he wouldn’t be participating in the match and writing him off TV in the process.
WWE Superstar Rhyno won the Republican primary for Michigan’s 15th House District seat yesterday, beating dos opponent by 56 votes according to MLive.com. Rhyno, real name Terrance Gerin, will now be on the November ballot and will face Abdullah Hammoud from the Democratic party with one of them getting the nearly $72,000-a-year job.
“I understand some people might be hesitant thinking it’s a gimmick,” Rhyno said, “but my friends and family know my love for this country, my passion for politics and my love for helping people out. If elected, that becomes my number one priority.”
The former ECW champion returned to the main roster last week on Smackdown, goring Heath Slater.
The fourth title match for SummerSlam was confirmed last night on Smackdown, with the Intercontinental title to be defended by The Miz against Apollo Crews.
Crews won a triple threat against Baron Corbin and Kalisto, pinning Kalisto to become the number one contender for the title. After the match, Corbin attacked Kalisto and Crews came for the save, only for The Miz – who was doing commentary – to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on him. Corbin didn’t appreciate the help and hit the End of Days on The Miz afterward.
This will be Crews’ first title opportunity on the main roster. He was called up from NXT earlier this year and made his main roster debut on the Raw after WrestleMania 32.
Tuesday Night Smackdown Live! TV Report for August 2nd, 2016 – “Proof and Love”
Introduction Segment: Backstage Promo
Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan are reviewing Randy Orton’s attack on Brock Lesnar from last night’s Raw. Orton is there too, and Shane is not pleased with his actions. Security is standing there, but Randy says they need not to, as he already showed that an R.K.O. will take down Lesnar. Shane does give props to “The Viper,” though.
Intercontinental Champion The Miz and Maryse walk up, displeased with their position on Smackdown! Live. Bryan says that it wasn’t really him he drafted, but the Intercontinental Championship itself. Daniel books a Triple-Threat between Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, and Kalisto to determine who will face The Miz for the I.C. Title.
WWE Champion Dean Ambrose tells McMahon and Bryan that he is going to go out and have a talk with his challenger at SummerSlam, Dolph Ziggler!
The new/regular Smackdown! Live video plays, and Mauro Ranallo greets us from Nashville.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
WWE Champion Dean Ambrose walks out and promises to start his legacy with the WWE Championship, and remind everyone how prestigious it is. He calls out Dolph Ziggler, and “The Show-Off” responds. He says they are alike, but Dean disagrees. “No, no we’re not. We’re nothing alike Dolph. ‘Cus you’re all show, and I’m all go, brother. I scratched and clawed my entire life to get this, and rest-assured, ain’t nobody every taking it away from me. Not at SummerSlam; not ever; and especially not you.”
Ziggler debates, as Dean debuted on the roster in the main event while Dolph was stuck in the lame Spirit Squad. Ambrose also disagrees, saying that Ziggler thinks more about his appearances instead of his spot. “You’re going to steal the show, and you’re going to lose.”
“Ambrose, you want to know who I am? A kid from Cleveland who went to his first WWE Live Event when he was five-years-old and said ‘one day, one day that’s going to be me.’ I’m the guy who walked on at Kenn State University, broke records in wrestling, hoping that one day, one day I might get my foot in the door and get a shot at being a superstar. You want to know who I am? I’m the guy for the last seven years has been disrespected, under-valued, over-looked, told one day that I’m not good enough, and told the next day that I’m too good. You want to KNOW WHO I AM? YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO THE HELL I AM? I’m the man that’s going to walk into SummerSlam, burn Brooklyn to the ground, BEAT YOUR ASS AND BECOME CHAMPION BECAUSE I AM THAT DAMN GOOD!”
They glare intensely at each other, and Dean curtly says “no you’re not. You’re not going to do any of that. And it’s not going to be because of any conspiracy theory, it’s not going to be because someone’s holding you back. You’re going to find out what your real problem is – your real problem is you’re not as good as you think you are.” He drops the mike and walks away.
Bray Wyatt’s video plays, the lights go out, and he plants Ziggler with Sister Abigail when the lights return. He does not believe Dolph should be and is a champion, so he proposes that Ziggler put his title shot on the line tonight.
Up next, a #1 Contender’s Bout to the Intercontinental Championship!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Dolph talks with Shane and Daniel, and wants to wrestle Bray, putting his title shot on the line, because the fans, Ambrose, and even McMahon and Bryan don’t believe in him. He orders them to book it, and Shane does so.
Match #1: Triple-Threat – Kalisto VS. Baron Corbin VS. Apollo Crews
All three measure each other up first, and then Baron is dumped to the outside shortly. He pulls down the ropes as Apollo runs, sending him tumbling to the floor. Kalisto follows with a dive-to-the-floor on both!
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Corbin is in control now, with both Crews and Kalisto in corners. He runs at both with clotheslines, and boots Apollo. Kalisto catches him with a hurricanrana that flies Baron to the floor! Apollo slams Kalisto for a near-fall, and Baron spin-backdrops Crews for another close-one! Kalisto leaps off the top turnbuckle, but Corbin catches him in a powerbomb position, but Apollo dropkicks him to the outside. Crews rolls up Kalisto for the sudden victory!
Winner and #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews
Post-match, Corbin attacks Kalisto but Apollo runs back in and makes the save. Miz slides in and drives Crews down with his Skull-Krushing Finale, but Baron is back up and plants the I.C. Champion with his End of Days finisher!
Later tonight, A.J. Styles will address John Cena, and up next, Becky Lynch wrestles Eva Marie
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Becky Lynch VS. Eva Marie
Before this starts, Eva signals that her left leg is injured. The referee calls for a trainer and the bout.
Winner: None due to No Official Start
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Rene Young asks new Smackdown! Live women’s wrestler Carmella about Eva’s injury. Carmella doesn’t believe it is real, and Natalya walks up, angry that she is not being interviewed.
Up next, American Alpha make their Smackdown Live! Debut!
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Match #3: Tag-Team – The Vaudevillians (Simon Gotch and Aiden English) VS. American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable)
Gable trips up Simon by his legs and waistlocks him on the canvas. Gotch traps Chad in a wristlock, but Gable quickly wrestles back! He tags in Jason, who hits a big dropkick. Jordan and Gotch switch, and Chad soars off the top turnbuckle onto both Simon and Aiden with a double-clothesline, and both Alphas hit dropkicks on the Vaudes.
Aiden ducks a run from Chad, and Simon grabs Chad’s ankle form the outside. English takes advantage, and both Villains double-team him, and control for a bit. Gable ducks a whip, and tosses Gotch to the floor. He makes the hot-tag to Jordan, who cleans house with suplexes on Aiden! He spears in the corner, tags in Gable, and both complete this with their tossing-backdrop finisher!
Winners via Pinfall: American Alpha
Up next, A.J. Styles will talk about John Cena!
Commercials.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
A.J. Styles starts his speech, but doesn’t get far. John Cena interrupts and joins him in the ring. Cena tells him to “talk,” and A.J. does so. After “soccer mom hair” chants, Styles says he doesn’t’ want you here, John.” A.J. insinuates that Cena doesn’t measure up to his in-ring ability, and rips on the fans for liking him so much, equating him to a “hero.” He also takes a subtle cheap-shot at TNA, saying “Nashville is the weakest of minds; believe me, I know!”
They both argue about John’s position in the company, and Cena bolts into one of his passionate promos. “You got every right to say anything you want, but there comes a point that you need to be responsible for what you say. And what you just said was you called out every person in here, from kids to adults, why, because you think they’re delusional, you think they’re stupid because they believe in something. And then, and then you ask me a question that you don’t want to know the answer to son. I’m about to make you look ridiculous.
You just asked me ‘why am I still here?’ With all this stuff going on outside of WWE and the fact that I’ve been here for fifteen years, ‘why am I still here?’ Oh, that’s an easy answer because ain’t changed over a decade-and-a-half. I’m here out of love. And no, no, no, no, don’t get me wrong. I see you, because we don’t say ‘love’ a lot here in the WWE because when you say that, you don’t ‘look tough.’ I don’t give a damn, I’m a grown-ass man. I’m here out of love. You see, you see, you see that kid right there? I love the look on that kid’s face when he’s jumping up-and-down and excited when he’s cheering on his favorite superstar. And I ain’t ashamed; I love when parents pull me aside and say ‘thank you for all that you do.’ I should be thanking them because I can’t do it without you.
And I love, oh man do I love to get a chance to do The ESPYS, Teen Choice, The Today Show, not only ‘cus it’s fun, because there’s always somebody there that’s willing to ask ‘hey John, now that you’ve made it main-stream, when are you going to leave the WWE?’ And oh man, do I love to look ‘em dead-in-the-eye and say ‘NEVER’ because the WWE was, is, and always will MY HOME! Now tomorrow, when you’re just kicking it on your day off, I don’t know what that is. I’m in New York on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert wearing a Smackdown! Live blue suit, looking ridiculous, because I love this brand, I love this company, and I love these people that allow me each-and-every-day to live my dream. You, you, the only reason you’re here is to be a really good wrestler. And you’ve already proven that if it doesn’t work out for you, you’ll pick up shop and move some place else. There is no-place-else for me. The reason I’m here is because the words ‘honor, loyalty, and respect’ are my heartbeat! I’m here out of LOVE, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?”
“The Phenomenal One” mockingly claps, but gives John accolades for his heartfelt retort. He wants to wrestle Cena again at SummerSlam, strictly one-on-one, and if John loses, he has to say that Styles is better. “I need to teach your ass a lesson,” Cena responds. “You’re on!”
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Match #4: Single – Fandango (with Breezango partner Tyler Breeze) VS. Randy Orton
Randy totally dominates this, even powerslamming Tyler as he ran in! Orton warms up the fans for an R.K.O., but eyes the corner of the barricade. Brock Lesnar has appeared and hops the barricade. Randy R.K.O.’s Fandango, but Lesnar gives Orton an F-5; the referee calls for the bell and Shane and more security run out to escort Brock away.
Winner via Disqualification: Fandango (with Breezango partner Tyler Breeze)
Commercials.
Segment #6: Video and Office Promos
Clips of Lesnar leaving the arena are shown; Paul Heyman meets him and they ride off in an SUV. GM Bryan is talking on his phone when he sees Heath Slater has snuck in. Heath pleads his case to be on the SummerSlam poster, and Daniel answers him with a contract opportunity – if he defeats his opponent next week on Smackdown Live! Slater thinks it is the same made-up man that Chris Jericho thought of on Raw, but he is quickly Gored, and Rhyno pops up. Bryan says that “The Man-Beast” is Heath’s opponent, and then asks for a medic in his office!
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is with WWE Champion Dean Ambrose. He is not enamored with the ‘SportsCenter’-style set, and instead wants to go have a closer look at the #1 Contender’s Match for his championship.
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Match #5: Single – Carmella VS. Natalya
As Carmella was making her entrance, Natalya attacks her and locks her in the Sharpshooter. Referee Charles Robinson and another referee order her to break it.
Winner: None due to No Official Start
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Daniel and Shane are with Dolph, and are trying to convince him not to wager his title shot, but Ziggler accuses them of not backing him. He tells them “screw you” and walks away.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Bray Wyatt VS. Dolph Ziggler
(Stipulation: #1 Contendership for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam)
(Note: WWE Champion Dean Ambrose is on commentary.)
“The Show-Off” immediately dropkicks Bray and plants him with the Fameasser! He is hit hard with a clothesline on the outside, but comes back again.
Commercials.
Both are on the top turnbuckle back-and-forth, and Wyatt superplexes Dolph to the mat! Bray “spider-walks” and then clamps on a grounding rear-chinlock. Ziggler fights back with punches and a jawbreaker. He elbows out of the corner, and the runs at him with a couple of clotheslines, and then a splash-in-the-corner; he drops an elbow for a near-fall!
Dolph goes for the superkick, but Bray spins him around and slaps back. Bray eyes for Sister Abigail, but instead unties the turnbuckle pad; Ziggler capitalizes with a Zig-Zag! 1 – 2 – Wyatt gets his shoulder up! Dolph now fully removes the pad, and reverses Sister Abigail into a roll-up for two!
Wyatt one-arm slams Dolph down, but also only gets two! He is elbowed out of the corner and superkicked! Dolph falls on him for the cover and the victory!
Winner and #1 Contender for the WWE Championship: Dolph Ziggler
Post-match, Dolph celebrates and screams at Ambrose, “you wanted the real me? I’m right here!” suddenly, Erik Rowan assaults both Ziggler and Ambrose – who came to help – and one-half of The Wyatt Family are back together! Bray polishes Dolph with Sister Abigail and poses with Rowan to close the show.
End of Smackdown! Live
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a really-good edition, especially promo and storyline-wise. Wrestling/match-wise was okay, but the build to SummerSlam and feel of Smackdown! was well-done.
Excellence: promos by Ziggler, Dean, Cena, Bray, Styles, Slater, and Bryan; matches from Kalisto/Corbin/Crews, Alpha/Vaudevillians, and Bray/Dolph.
At first, I was not sold on Dolph being the main-event again, but after tonight, I totally am. I also would’ve totally bought Bray getting the championship shot too. Both delivered enthusiastic and heartfelt talks, absolutely defining why they deserve their spot. I also liked how Dean called Dolph out on the true aspects as well, and he’s just playing the “couldn’t-care-less, I’m still going to defeat you” character.
The same as above also goes for Styles/Cena; wasn’t excited for the continuation of the feud, until Cena launched into his promo, which was epic!
Loving how Smackdown also has its own feel to it, and also much like another sports show with the interview desk, graphics on background during introductions, and now after-show with wrestlers and the GM. This is really improving the quality of the product, making it feel like more of a sport with drama than a television drama with sports. This is what they need for even more credibility in the sports world!
Bogus: matches between Eva/Becky (didn’t like that they didn’t have her wrestle), and Carmela/Natalya (would’ve like to see a bit of a bout), and Orton/Fandango (boring, and predictable on who would win!). I also thought that the Triple-Threat could’ve gone a bit longer, so would’ve like to see that. On that note, since Smackdown! is now live, it would be nice for them to go over by 10 – 15 minutes, adding unpredictability or longer matches.
All-in-all, a great show, and again, let’s hope they keep the momentum up! Until next week’s Raw, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Fans!
Monday Night Raw pulled in an average of 3,314,000 viewers for yesterday’s show, down 23,000 viewers from last week’s episode.
Hour one started with 3,463,000 viewers, then went down to 3,399,000, before losing over 300,000 viewers to 3,081,000 in the third and final hour. Hour one and two had more viewers than last week but the third hour, with Brock Lesnar as the main event, dragged down the whole number. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
During an appearance on Bear Hug It Out podcast earlier today to promote tonight’s Smackdown, General Manager Daniel Bryan revealed that they will be creating a Women’s title for Smackdown.
When asked how he feels about Raw creating the WWE Universal title, Bryan said he’s not against it creating their own title because they’re doing it for the Women’s division on Smackdown. However they will take their time with this one to “make sure we do it right.”
Bryan said that it feels great that Smackdown has the only “real” world title. Whoever was going to get the WWE championship was always going to get the upper hand so to speak as the WWE title is regarded as the most prestigious title in the world of professional wrestling today and creating a new Universal title wouldn’t change that fact.
You can see the video of Bryan talking about the creation of the Women’s title below
Smackdown is somewhat getting a third hour in the form of a talk show on the WWE Network starting tonight at 10PM EST.
Titled Talking Smack, the show will feature exclusive interviews and analysis but no hosts or any other information have been announced. It’s likely that the same team that does the Raw and Smackdown pre-shows on the Network will also be doing this extra hour every week for the blue brand.
A live weekly episode will add an extra 52 hours of original content on the WWE Network per year. WWE had a similar show following Tough Enough on USA Network with Byron Saxton hosting the 30 minute Tough Talk.
Lehigh County Judge Kelly L. Banach today refused a motion to dismiss the homicide charges against WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka after he was deemed unfit to stand trial for the murder of his ex-mistress Nancy Argentino, a case that dates back to 1983.
The Morning Call newspaper, which covered the case extensively, also said that the judge refused to force Snuka to undergo involuntary outpatient dementia treatment after the prosecutors requested it. Judge Banach said that it wasn’t right to throw the case away just on a four-day competency hearing although she admitted that she doesn’t think Snuka will ever regain competency.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Charles Gallagher was actually the one who moved the motion to dismiss the case, a motion that was agreed by Snuka’s attorney Robert Kirwan. Gallagher said that he still thinks Snuka is guilty but since there’s no expert opinion that will sway the judge the other way it’s useless to keep going on. “If you believe that he’s not going to become competent, then what’s the point?” Gallagher asked the judge.
Snuka is scheduled to go back to court on December 2 for another hearing to see if he’s deemed fit to stand trial but the judge said she might consider dismissing the case at that time.
The Hall of Famer is one of the 53 former WWE Superstars suing WWE – through his wife – for brain injury.
Jinder Mahal, the former 3MB member, returned to WWE at yesterday’s Raw, and earned a spot on the Raw roster by defeating his former tag team partner Heath Slater.
The Calgary native worked for the WWE a few years ago, first as a developmental talent at FCW in 2010 and then moving to the main roster in 2011. In 2012 he formed 3MB with Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre but in 2014 he was released from his contract along with Drew McIntyre, effectively ending the 3MB group.
Mahal was rumored to be joining the company a few weeks ago and his return was handled during a segment where Heath Slater tried to get signed to Raw after getting gored last week on Smackdown by Rhyno. Foley told both men that there’s only one spot and whoever won the match against each other would be signed.
Raw ring announcer Lilian Garcia announced in a post on Instagram that she is leaving the WWE to take care of her father who is suffering from two different types of cancer.
Garcia missed last week’s Raw because the family had to get the results from the hospital and she revealed that her dad isn’t doing as well as they hoped. “Therefore, I will not be traveling weekly with WWE any longer. I will be looking to take on work closer to where I live so that I don’t have to be on the road weekly away from him. He truly needs me, and I need this time with him. I ask that you please continue prayers for my father and my family,” she wrote.
Garcia thanked the WWE fans for her “magical 15-year career” and also thanked the WWE Superstars who she called “an incredible group of people.” She said it was an honor to introduce all of them to the ring and watch their superior athleticism week after week. Garcia also had a thank you to the crew and production staff who “are the glue that keeps it all together.”
Before signing off, Garcia thanked WWE for the incredible ride, noting that she never wanted to get off. “I thank you for not only allowing me to use my voice as an announcer but also sharing it to sing around the world. What an honor! I will cherish the memories forever.”
The 49 year old started working for WWE in 1999 as the announcer for Raw and held on to her job until 2009. She eventually returned to the WWE in 2011 as a ring announcer for Smackdown and in 2014 she replaced Justin Roberts, returning on Raw.
A New Era for Raw has truly begun, as we have a new Women’s Champion, a new #1 Contender, a new Heavyweight Championship that will be introduced, and new/old decorations! I quite enjoyed last week’s Raw and hope they can keep the momentum going!
Since the shows are split again, I will go back to reviewing both Raw and Smackdown Live! Individually after each report. So what will go down tonight? Read on to find out!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for August 1st, 2016 – “‘Out of Nowhere’”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
Highlights of last week’s Raw are shown, and then the new/regular Raw video plays. The pyro explodes in the Phillips arena and we are greeted by Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and new Raw commentator, Corey Graves.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
The new Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks, strolls out. The crowd calls out “you deserve it.” “You guys, thank you. It’s about time Raw popped off with a statement; a ‘Bank Statement’ from your new WWE Women’s Champion, ‘The Boss.’ Last year, during SummerSlam weekend, at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, the WWE Universe went home talking about Bayley and ‘The Boss;’ because we stole the show. And we just didn’t steal the show; we own the show! This year won’t be any different; the reign of ‘The Boss’ has just begun. And I am going to kick off with a ‘W’ when I defend my title against Charlotte at SummerSlam. I didn’t’ fight my whole life…”
Her challenger suddenly interrupts, but is hailed with “you tapped out” chants by the fans. Banks taunts her verbally a little about her loss, and where Dana Brooke is. “Get over yourself Sasha. I don’t need Dana to beat you; I don’t even need my dad to beat you.” Charlotte strongly declares that she will win the championship back at SummerSlam and compares Sasha’s win to a “one-night-stand.” Banks fires back with a shot, relating being Ric Flair’s daughter to a “one-night-stand.”
Chris Jericho, interestingly, walks out and defends Charlotte. After poking fun at the Women’s Champion for a bit, Enzo Amore joins in. He flirts with Sasha, and she flirts back. Jericho and Charlotte are sick of this until General Manager Mick Foley makes his first appearance tonight.
Foley compares himself to Amore, and books (an inevitable) Mixed Tag-Team bout, commencing after the break!
Commercials.
Match #1: Mixed Tag-Team – Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and Enzo Amore VS. Charlotte and Chris Jericho
(Note: Kevin Owens is on commentary.) Enzo and Jericho begin, tying each other up. Jericho headlocks Amore and shoulder-blocks him, but “The Certified G” hits back with a dropkick and a couple of armdrags. Both tag out, so we are now seeing Charlotte and Sasha wrestle. They trade take-downs back-and-forth and chops in the corner. Sasha leaps on Charlotte with a double-knees pin for a quick count. She switches with Enzo, and the two toss Jericho and Charlotte to the floor, then follow up with a double dive-through-the-ropes!
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Amore and Chris are back to wrestling, with “Y2J” controlling. He goes for a running-bulldog, but Enzo counters by chucking Jericho into the opposite turnbuckle! Amore punches back and lands on Jericho with a running-crossbody for 2! He hops the turnbuckle, but is caught by his legs as he dove, and trapped in the Walls of Jericho! Enzo manages to grasp the bottom rope to break.
Amore jumps off the top turnbuckle again, but Jericho counters with a dropkick. Chris grabs his left knee, and crawls to tag Charlotte. Banks is in too, and takes over Charlotte. Sasha goes for her Bank Statement, but Dana Brooke has run down. Banks fends her off, and Jericho too as he tried, but Charlotte capitalizes on both distractions, planting Sasha with her Natural Selection snapmre-facebuster, and then covering for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Charlotte and Chris Jericho
Post-match, Enzo checks on the Women’s Champion, but Jericho sneaks up from behind and gives him a Codebreaker! Big Cass marches down and scares away Chris.
Later tonight, we will hear from #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Championship, Finn Balor!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Video Promo
The Bella Twins – Nikki and Brie – won the “Female Athlete of the Year” award at the Teen Choice Awards last night. Footage of their appearance is aired. Genuinely, good for the teens to recognize WWE as athletes too!
Match #2: Single – Evan Anderhall VS. Braun Strowman
Before the bout, Byron Saxton asks Evan why he is taking on a big challenge. Evan says he already gets one-thousand dollars for competing; he wants the five thousand for the win. Unfortunately, that does not happen, as Braun completely destroys him and finishes with his reverse-Chokeslam!
Winner via Pinfall: Braun Strowman
Segment #4: Office Promo
GM Mick Foley and Commissioner Stephanie McMahon are putting themselves over about their decision making for this and last week’s Raw. Mark Henry walks in and has rejuvenation in his voice. He wants to put someone in the “Hall-Of-Pain” again, but Stephanie actually wants him to be a “mentor” to the younger guys.
Instead, Foley agrees with Henry. He makes “The World’s Strongest Man” wrestle Rusev for the United States Championship tonight!
Backstage, The Golden Truth are walking around, looking for “Pokemon-Go.” They will be in action, next.
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Match #3: Tag-Team – The Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) VS. The Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth)
Primo and Epic start out good, but Goldust and Truth make a comeback. However, Truth gets too distracted by his phone and “Pokemon-Go,” which costs them as Goldust cannot make the tag and is sunset-flip-pinned for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Shining Stars
Up next, #1 Contender Finn Balor will be out!
Commercials.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
Michael Cole is in the ring to bring out Finn Balor. “The Demon” proclaims that he designed last week to “make an impact” since he was drafted in round number one thirteen-days ago. His challenger for the WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam interjects. Seth Rollins puts over Finn at first, but asserts his superiority. Balor takes the high road, and cites that he got his accomplishments the clean way. Seth becomes infuriated, and yells. Finn retorts with harsh words and the two stare-down. Rollins punches, but Balor kicks back to his gut and a half-Pele-kick! Seth backs away and signals he will win the title.
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Match #4: Single for the United States Championship – Rusev (Champion) (with Lana) VS. Mark Henry (Challenger)
They lockup and struggle, and Henry shoves Rusev into the corner. Rusev hammers back, but Mark Irish Whips him into the opposite turnbuckle and chucks him out of it! “The World’s Strongest Man” overpowers the U.S. Champ for a bit.
Commercials.
Rusev is now in control, stomping on Henry’s back and setting him up for The Accolade Camel Clutch. Mark realizes this and snapmares Rusev over. He this a couple of clotheslines, but “The Bulgarian Brute” avoids a boot, and hits a spinning-wheel-kick. He boots Henry hard, stomps on him, and clamps on The Accolade, forcing Mark to give-in!
Winner via Submission and STILL United States Champion: Rusev (with Lana)
Post-match, Rusev takes the microphone and rips on the Olympic Games. He also affirms that “no man can take my United States Champion away from me,” declaring himself a “super-athlete and a natural-born winner.”
Roman Reigns’ music plays and “Superman” walks out. They intensely gaze at each other, and when Rusev tries to walk away, Roman blocks him. Rusev suddenly throws punches, but is hit with a hard leaping-clothesline. Reigns gears up for the Superman Punch, but Rusev escapes. Roman follows with a Superman Punch off the steel steps! Rusev and Lana back up with ramp.
Segment #6: Video Promo
Nia Jax’s career highlights are shown. We will see her later tonight!
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Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil VS. Darren Young (with Bob Backlund)
(Note: prior, we are shown a clip of Titus and Darren chatting in the locker room, with Titus inquiring when Darren was “really great.”) An elbow/collar tie-up starts and they break it in the corner. 0’Neil runs out with a shoulder-block, and goes to help Young up, but Darren refuses. Titus picks Young up out of a standing side headlock, and then slaps him in the corner. He whips him back into the same corner, and catches Young off the second turnbuckle out of a crossbody-dive, giving him two rib-breakers and tossing him aside! O’Neil follows with a corner-splash for a near-fall!
Darren kicks and punches back, but O’Neil knees him in the gut and slams him to the mat. Titus continues to work over Daren, but can’t pin him. He goes for the Clash of the Titus sit-down-spinebuster, but Young hops out of it. they go back-and-forth until Darren runs into the corner, and O’Neil rolls him up, clasping his trunks for leverage, and receiving the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Titus O’Neil
Segment #7: Office Promo
Stephanie is trying to upgrade Mick on his selection of note-taking when Sheamus interrupts. He is not pleased that Henry got a U.S. Title shot and not him. Cesaro walks in and argues, and they both yell at Steph. Mick stops this, and lists the legitimate reasons why they weren’t drafted higher on Raw. Foley says that they will wrestle each other, and whoever “impresses” them, will get a championship shot later.
Up next, Nia Jax will be out!
Commercials.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Bob Backlund is screaming at Titus O’Neil on how he won earlier, but O’Neil threatens to “knock your old ass out.” Darren Young enters and hits Titus to the floor.
Match #6: Single – Ariel Monroe VS. Nia Jax
This one is short, as Nia completes with a Samoan Drop-into-Powerslam!
Winner via Pinfall: Nia Jax
Post-match, Byron asks Nia her feelings, and Nia runs into Ariel again to make her point.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Tom Phillips asks Sami Zayn about wrestling Seth Rollins. He proclaims that he will prove himself against Rollins, and is happy to move on from Kevin Owens.
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Match #7: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E. and Kofi Kingston) VS. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
(Prior to the bout, New Day say that Anderson and Gallows “filed a complaint,” so Xavier has to remain backstage.) Karl and Big E. begin, with Anderson getting the better shortly into this one. He runs but is clutched and slammed with a belly-to-belly suplex! Big goes for the tag, but Luke pulls Kofi off of the apron. Anderson gives Gallows the “too sweet” sign, but E. rolls him up from behind for the sudden W!
Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day
Post-match, Luke and Karl demolish all of New Day, including Woods who ran back out to help. They hit a couple of their Boots of Doom double-team on Big. Xavier tries again, but is knocked down by the former Club members. Luke and Karl pull Big split-legged into the ring post and then walk away.
Commercials.
Segment #9: Locker Room Promo
Medical staff, and Xavier and Kofi, are checking on E.
Cole wants to have an update on Big by the end of Raw, but if not, we can find out on WWE.com later.
Match #8: Single – Cesaro VS. Sheamus
They locks up and trade holds, and then face-off again. Cesaro turns Sheamus around into a wrist hold, but Sheamus punches out. Cesaro uppercuts back, and both deliver uppercuts to each other. Sheamus runs off the ropes with a knee, but Cesaro hits back with more and numerous uppercuts into the corner! he whips Sheamus into the opposite one and follows with a running-uppercut! He repeats again, but Sheamus slides and rolls to the outside to break the momentum.
Cesaro follows with a somersault-splash off the apron, but is thrust into the ring post and slammed on the apron. Sheamus slugs away with Ten Beats of the Baron and a clothesline. The “Celtic Warrior” rockets from the top turnbuckle with a shoulder-block for a near-fall, and then slams Cesaro to the canvas again and yells at him.
Sheamus sets up for a suplex, but Cesaro reverses into one of his own! Cesaro runs but is grabbed into a rolling fireman’s-carry! Cesaro headbutts back, and hits a springboard-tornado-uppercut! Cesaro signals for the Swing, but Sheamus kicks him away and rolls him up for two! Sheamus catches Cesaro in a tilt-a-whirl, but Cesaro lands on his feet and into The Neutralizer! He covers and takes the contest!
Winner via Pinfall: Cesaro
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Segment #10: Arena Promo
Cesaro and Sheamus are fighting with multiple referees and agents trying to split them. In the ring, Heath Slater is with his former 3.M.B. partner Jinder Mahal; he pleads that both should be signed to Raw. Mick answers him, and books the two of them to wrestle each other and the winner will get a spot on Raw!
Match #9: Single – Heath Slater VS. Jinder Mahal
As Heath protests for friendship, Jinder lines him up and boots him for the very-quick 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall and NEW Raw member: Jinder Mahal
Post-match, Jinder walks up the ramp and embraces GM Foley.
Segment #11: Backstage Promo
Tom Phillips is with Chris Jericho, who rips on both Enzo and Big Cass. He claims that he also has “someone to watch my back,” but when Phillips inquires to whom, Jericho makes up a name. Kevin Owens walks up and sides with Jericho.
Up next, our main-event of Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn!
Commercials.
Match #10: Single – Seth Rollins VS. Sami Zayn
Rollins is all over Zayn in the corner with kicks and punches, and punches him around the ring too. Sami leaps over Seth with a backwards leap-frog, and chops at Rollins. He whips “The Architect” but Seth holds onto the ropes and slides out of the ring. Rollins whips Zayn into the barrier, but Sami hops up and moonsaults onto Seth! He drags Rollins back into the ring but Seth rolls on the other side and throws Zayn into the corner part of the barricade.
Rollins governs now, whipping Sami hard into the turnbuckle. Zayn hits back, but is crotched on the top rope soon after.
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Seth is still dominating, giving Sami sling-blade, and taunting him, but Sami victory-rolls him for a near-fall! Zayn battles, but Rollins sets him up for The Pedigree. Sami gets out of it, but is Turnbuckle-Powerbombed; he fires back immediately with a clothesline!
Sami runs in another corner but is booted. He counters with a Michinoku Driver for a close-call! Rollins misses a spin-kick and Zayn plants him with the Blue Thunder Bomb to get two! Seth hits an enziguri, but Zayn works his way out of another Pedigree and Tornado-DDT’s him! He measures for the Helluva Kick, but Seth moves. Zayn follows with a launching swanton-clothesline over the ropes!
Sami gets back up to the top turnbuckle but is kicked as he dove off. He gets out of another Pedigree, but Rollins steers out of another Helluva attempt. He drives Sami down with The Pedigree, and covers to receive the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Seth Rollins
Paul Heyman is shown and ready to bring out his client, Brock Lesnar!
Commercials.
Segment #12: Arena Promo
Paul Heyman is in the ring and hypes up Brock Lesnar’s return. He calls out “The Beast of ‘The Brock-tagon,” the “ruler and the conqueror of the WWE Universe,” the “viper-slayer!” Brock makes his way to the ring and stands by as Paul E. says that Lesnar will “entertain you.” He clarifies that “entertain” means something different than what WWE does; Brock’s form of “entertainment” is much more “violent,” which Heyman says he is “not supposed to say.” Paul goes on that Lesnar is not going to cater to anyone on Raw or Smackdown, including Foley, the McMahons, Triple H, or Randy Orton, who Lesnar will wrestle at SummerSlam.
Paul focuses on Randy, telling “The Viper,” despite Orton’s claim that he will R.K.O. Lesnar, that will not happen. He tells Randy that SummerSlam will be all about “survival” for him, and not actually winning. Heyman goes on about the destructiveness of Brock, until Orton actually appears and R.K.O.’s “The Beast!” randy high-tails it up the stairs in the crowd as Stephanie and Foley march to the stage. Referees and security have come out to chase him off, and Lesnar gets up, smiling and staring at Randy from the ring to close the show!
End of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was another great Raw; two-in-row for the “new era!” Loved a lot of the promos, a good chunk of the matches, and the way that Raw has been presented – much like other sports with the style (interviews, camera angles, etc…), and to me, gives it more legitimacy to be in rank/top others like the N.F.L. and N.B.A. Onto my particulars:
Excellence: matches between Sasha/Enzo/Charlotte/Jericho, Braun/Evan (for dominant-push of Braun), Nia/Ariel (for dominant-push of Nia), Henry/Rusev, Titus/Darren, Cesaro/Sheamus, and Rollins/Zayn
Promos by Sasha, Enzo, Henry, Balor/Rollins, Rusev, Foley/Stephanie, and Paul E.
Liking the new feud between Enzo and Jericho; these guys will battle back-and-forth well in the ring and superbly on the mike! Sasha and Charlotte will also do extremely well, both in ring and promos; Charlotte has improved immensely, and Sasha has had it since becoming prominent in NXT. Same for Balor/Rollins, and very excited for this continuing, and the match itself.
I think the squashes that Nia and Braun had tonight and last week are great, and will help build them up nicely to the audience and as threatens for singles championships/major rivalries.
I am very happy that Raw has gone back to red ropes; I was really tired for the last while of the white ones for every show; and now that Raw has appeared to be its own brand again for a while, it needed this to distinguish. And for the first two Raws of the “new era,” it really does feel like it’s different. To keep this up, they cannot cross with Smackdown! for a while in terms of wrestlers (except for Orton/Lesnar, as they were pre-established before the draft), and they should not promo each other (Raw/Smackdown recaps) to truly make them separate.
Bogus: not liking The Golden Truth’s new path; I actually started to like them when they would take each other seriously and win; but now they’ve been given back to being “goofy,” and uninteresting. The Shining Stars have done nothing for me and they didn’t deserve to win.
Unfortunately, Gallows and Anderson have lost it for me; tonight’s match should’ve been longer and to get got off guard on “too sweet” was lame. They either need A.J. to join them, or need be completely dominant/not fooled like that.
With only a couple of bad points listed, that is a great sign for this new Raw, and I hope it continues next week! Until Smackdown Live!, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Fans!
In a follow-up to an earlier story about Paul Heyman signing a new deal with WWE, Heyman himself confirmed on Twitter that he will be part of Monday Night Raw tonight.
“The Beast @BrockLesnar and I have quite a bit on our minds,” Heyman wrote. “Let’s discuss it all TONIGHT – LIVE – @WWE #RAW!”
It will be interesting to see if the drug test failure will be brought up at any point during the broadcast although it’s highly unlikely. While WWE has not mentioned Lesnar’s UFC fight on television, they did cover it on WWE.COM and social media accounts and even reported the failed drug tests after UFC announced them to the public.
Gawker Media founder Nick Denton will file for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy protection today and such move will prevent Hulk Hogan from seizing his assets after the $140 million judgment against him, Gawker Media, and former writer A.J. Daulerio. Daulerio is also filing for bankruptcy.
Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June and the assets of the company will be sold at an auction this month.
Both defendants – Denton and Daulerio – along with Gawker Media filed for appeal but a ruling is not expected from the appeals court until next year and the Florida court, Florida appeals court, and a bankruptcy court in New York have all denied a stay in the judgment.
“Gawker Media Group’s resilient brands and people will thrive under new ownership, when the sale closes in the next few weeks,” Denton wrote on Twitter. “On this bitter day for me, I am consoled by the fact that my colleagues will soon be freed from this tech billionaire’s vendetta.” Denton was referring to Peter Thiel who secretly funded Hulk Hogan’s trial against Gawker and who had a long history with Gawker after the company outed him as gay.
Hogan’s attorney David Houston commented on the news that Denton and Daulerio are filing for bankruptcy. “Mr. Denton and Mr. Daulerio’s legal maneuvering is nearing an end. It is time for them to take responsibility for what they’ve done.”
When WWE held the draft, Paul Heyman’s name was missing from the listing as Brock Lesnar’s manager and there was a good reason for that: his contract with WWE had expired and was not renewed in time to advertise him.
Heyman’s WWE deal ran out shortly after WrestleMania and both parties took their time to reach a new deal. With Lesnar out of WWE for a few months there was no rush to get Heyman sign on the dotted line but once his SummerSlam involvement was announced, faster negotiations kicked in to get the former ECW owner back on the WWE payroll.
Several industry insiders including the Wrestling Observer are citing WWE sources noting that Heyman just signed a new WWE deal and will be returning on television tonight with Lesnar. Just like his client, Heyman has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania 32 and while he was in Las Vegas for UFC 200 with Lesnar he kept his distance and stayed out of the spotlight.
Last month, Heyman traveled to the United Kingdom to host a few shows where he talked about his wrestling career.
WWE.COM is reporting that former offensive tackle Brennan Williams has signed a developmental deal with WWE and starting today he is training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Williams is 6’7”, weighs 300lbs and was a third-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2013. He played college football at the University of North Carolina prior to joining the NFL. He was also part of the practice squads for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots during his NFL tenure.
Following his departure from the NFL, Williams joined the Booker T wrestling school in October 2015 and started training under the guidance of the WWE Hall of Famer. He made his in-ring debut for Booker T’s Houston-based Reality of Wrestling earlier this year. Williams holds a black belt in taekwondo.
