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July 2016 - A pivotal turning point for the WWE. Smackdown was moving to Tuesday Nights, live on USA. After years of disappointing product, WWE saw an uptick in quality during the Fall of 2016 into 2017. This successful period can be attributed to the rise of recent NXT call-ups, such as Kevin Owens, the Four Horsewomen, and Alexa Bliss; the introduction and rise of AJ Styles; and being anchored by established stars such as the former Shield members, the New Day, and Chris Jericho. Despite this, WWE squandered their opportunity, leading up to a disappointing Wrestlemania 33, headlined by Goldberg, Undertaker, and Shane McMahon.
This BTB will try to recreate the momentum that WWE had during this period and turn it into an exciting Wrestlemania 33.
Commissioner: Stephanie McMahon
General Manager: Mick Foley
Commentary Team: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: JoJo
Interviewer: Tom Phillips
Roster (As of July 25, 2016):
Men
Big Cass
Big E
Big Show
Bo Dallas
Braun Strowman
Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
Bubba Ray Dudley
Carlito
Cesaro
Chris Jericho
Curtis Axel
D-Von Dudley
Darren Young
Enzo Amore
Epico
Finn Balor
Goldust
Jack Swagger
Karl Anderson
Kevin Owens
Kofi Kingston
Luke Gallows
Neville
Primo
R-Truth
Roman Reigns
Rusev
Sami Zayn
Samoa Joe
Seth Rollins
Sheamus
Sin Cara
Titus O'Neil
Xavier Woods
Women
Alicia Fox
Bayley
Charlotte
Dana Brooke
Lana
Nia Jax
Paige
Sasha Banks
Tag Teams and Factions
The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
Enzo and Cass (Enzo Amore and Big Cass)
Golden Truth (Goldust and R-Truth)
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
The Primetime Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil w/ Bob Backlund) The Shining Stars (Carlito, Epico and Primo)
The Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, and Heath Slater)
Champions
TBD
Charlotte Flair (1st Reign) - April 3, 2016 (Wrestlemania 32) - Current
Rusev (2nd Reign) - May 22, 2016 (Extreme Rules 2016) - Current
The New Day: Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods (2nd, 4th, 2nd Reign) - August 23, 2015 (SummerSlam 2015) - Current
Commissioner: Shane McMahon
General Manager: Daniel Bryan
Commentary Team: Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Interview: Renee Young
Roster (As of July 25, 2016):
Men
AJ Styles
Aiden English
Alberto Del Rio
Apollo Crews
Baron Corbin
Bray Wyatt
Chad Gable
Dean Ambrose
Dolph Ziggler
Erick Rowan
Fandango
Jason Jordan
Jey Uso
Jimmy Uso
John Cena
Kalisto
Kane
Konnor
Mojo Rawley
Randy Orton
Simon Gotch
The Miz
Tyler Breeze
Viktor
Zack Ryder
Women
Alexa Bliss
Becky Lynch
Carmella
Eva Marie
Maryse
Naomi
Natalya
Tag Teams and Factions:
American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan)
The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
The Fashion Police (Fandango and Tyler Breeze)
The Hype Bros (Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder)
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)
The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch)
The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan)
Champions
Dean Ambrose (1st Reign) - June 19, 2016 (Money in the Bank 2016) - Current
TBD
The Miz (5th Reign) - April 4, 2016 (Monday Night Raw) - Current
The New Day: Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods (2nd, 4th, 2nd Reign) - August 23, 2015 (SummerSlam 2015) - Current
SummerSlam - August 21, 2016
Match Card (More to be Added)
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Randy Orton - WWE Championship Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns vs Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins - WWE Universal Championship Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Eva Marie vs Natalya vs Naomi - WWE Women's Universal Championship Match AJ Styles vs John Cena Rusev (c) vs ??? - United States Championship The New Day (c) vs ??? vs ??? - WWE Tag Team Championship
Smackdown! Live Preview July 26th, 2016 First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
MizTV with Dean Ambrose
MizTV will turn into a Champions Summit when the Intercontinental Champion hosts the WWE Champion, Dean Ambrose, fresh off of his first month as WWE Champion. The Miz always has a plan, and looks to extend his “neverending Intercontinental Championship reign”. So what is he up to, and what does it have to do with “The Lunatic Fringe”?
WWE Women’s Universal Championship
Smackdown! Live General Manager Daniel Bryan is set to unveil the inaugural WWE Women’s Universal Championship. What is to be determined is who will make history as the first champion, and how will that be decided?
The New Day Tag Team Spectacular!
The New Day are always looking for ways to reinvent the game, and their new concoction is no different. The New Day Tag Team Spectacular will see three 2v2 matches across both Raw and Smackdown. The winner of those three matches will compete in a Triple Threat match to decide who will go on to face the New Day in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam. Smackdown is home to multiple time champs The Usos, the fearsome Wyatt Family, and the dastardly Vaudevillains. Or could a new face of the tag team division arise in the newcomers American Alpha?
Confirmed for Smackdown:
The Usos vs The Wyatt Family
American Alpha vs the Vaudevillains
MizTV with Dean Ambrose
Smackdown! Live July 26th, 2016
First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
A brand new opening video package opens the show featuring the top faces on Smackdown: AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose, The Miz, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, Becky Lynch, The Usos, and more. Mauro Ranallo welcomes us to the first Smackdown! Live of the so-called “New Era”. He promises lots of things to come, but is willing to let the new Commissioner and General Manager of Smackdown do the talking for him.
“Here Comes the Money” followed by “Flight of the Valkyries” echo through the First Niagara Center as the leaders of Smackdown make their way to the ring. The Commissioner and General Manager of the revamped Blue Brand announces their intention to make Smackdown the premiere WWE brand and to outpace Raw, both in viewership and quality. Daniel Bryan claims that “we can’t do it alone, they need the help of —”
“Phenomenal” interrupts him and AJ Styles joins Shane-O-Mac and DBry in the ring. AJ thanks them for recognizing that they can’t do it without “The Phenomenal One”. Shane corrects AJ, claiming that they need the help of the WWE Universe. AJ scoffs, and reminds them and the WWE Universe that he defeated John Cena at Money in the Bank, making him “the new face of WWE”. That’s why he’s out here: “It’s about time that you strap that big gold belt around my waist.”
Bryan apologizes to AJ, saying that they wanted to talk to him about this in private, but “since you’ve made an ass of yourself in the middle of the ring, we’ll do it live”. They believe in AJ’s potential, and believes he could become the new top star of WWE, but they need to see it first. Daniel explains that they drafted him separately from The Club to see how he’d do on his own. They think he’ll flourish, but he’s got to prove it himself. By facing off against John Cena again, at Summerslam, WITHOUT the Club’s help. “Then you’ll get your title match”. Byran and McMahon exit the ring, leaving AJ fuming in front of Buffalo.
We then head to the commentary table, occupied by Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga. They run down tonight’s show, highlighted by MizTV with special guest Dean Ambrose, the unveiling of the new Women’s Championship, and The New Day Tag Team Championship Spectacular, a 12 team tournament that kicks off next!
Match 1: The Usos vs The Wyatt Family (The New Day Tag Team Spectacular)
Both teams look to make a statement in the opening round of the Tag Team Championship Spectacular. The Wyatt Family control the match early, but a few swift moves and a hot tag to Jey Uso put the former tag team champions back in the match. Jimmy sends Bray Wyatt flying through the ropes and out of the ring, before connecting with his brother for a 1D on Erick Rowan for the win.
Bray looks on from outside the ring at Erick Rowan. His eyes filled with disappointment. He shakes it off and goes to check on his family member in the ring as Mauro Ranallo takes us to a commercial break.
We are welcomed back from the commercial with a new edition of The Fashion Files, following Tyler Breeze and Fandango on their journeys as The Fashion Police. Fandango and Breeze look over a corkboard with numerous Smackdown stars thumbtacked to it. Breeze hangs up two new pictures right in the center. Konnor and Viktor, the Ascension. Breezy explains that The Ascension is their opponent in the Tag Team Championship Spectacular next week, and tasks Fandango with going undercover to discover their weaknesses and to “figure out why the hell they paint their faces like that”.
Broadcast cuts back to the ring where The Miz and Maryse are waiting. Miz introduces us to the most must-see WWE talk show in history: MizTV. He brags about his incredibly hot wife, and his Intercontinental Championship reign that he claims “has brought prestige back to this forgotten championship.”
After he toots his own horn for a bit, he welcomes out his guest: WWE Champion Dean Ambrose. Dean makes his way to the ring, accompanied by “Retaliation”. He sits down in the Director’s Chair that Miz has graciously provided his guest. The Miz hypes up the “Lunatic Fringe” before Dean cuts him off. Dean knows that Miz isn’t the type of guy who would just want to chat with a guy like him. Miz wants something, and Dean wants to know what it is.
Miz admits that Dean is right. He, again, claims that he restored honor to the Intercontinental Championship, after “wanna-be’s like Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Zack Ryder… and Dean Ambrose destroyed it.” He fears that Dean may do the same thing to the WWE Championship, a championship that is near and dear to his heart. “I successfully defended that championship at Wrestlemania, if you’ve forgotten”. Tonight, he wants to strip Dean of his championship so that he can save the WWE. Dean laughs, before hitting Miz with a Dirty Deeds! “You’ve got your match.”
Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, American Alpha are seen walking backstage. Mauro Ranallo informs that their debut match The Vaudevillains is coming up next. As we begin to cut away, Alberto Del Rio walks into frame, bumping into Jason while talking on a cell phone. The two exchange looks before seperating. Del Rio talks into phone, “Yeah, I’m going to get you here soon.” JBL asks who Del Rio is talking to before cutting to commercial.
The Vaudevillains await their opponents in the ring. “Elite” rings out as American Alpha appears before a main roster crowd for the first time. Before they can enter the ring, the Vaudevillains ambush them. Gable gets rammed into the steel steps and Gotch tosses Gable into the barricade. The Vaudevillains continue their beatdown until they’re able to get American Alpha in the ring for the match to start.
Match 2: American Alpha vs the Vaudevillains
Gable and Jordan struggled to find their footing as the Vaudevillains continued their assault in the ring. Jordan was able to recover enough strength outside of the ring while Gable was the target of attack as the legal man. The crowd encouraged Gable and when the time came, Gable got the tag in on Jason Jordan. Jordan cleared the ring and momentum had shifted. It wasn’t long until American Alpha hit Aiden English with a Grand Amplitude to secure their first win on the main roster.
American Alpha etched their spot in the next round of The New Day Tag Team Spectactular: a triple threat match against The Usos and the winner of the Fashion Police and the Ascension. The two debuting superstars celebrate in the ring.
Backstage, we’re greeted by Apollo Crews, speaking directly into the camera. He says that his time on the main roster hasn’t been what he wanted, but he’s coming. He declares that the new era will be “Apollo Crews’ era.”
Daniel Bryan is back in the ring, standing next to a podium with a tarp hiding a championship belt. He introduces the women’s roster to the WWE Universe: Becky Lynch, Naomi, Natalya, and Eva Marie make their way to the ring before Daniel Bryan officially introduces the two debuting superstars: Alexa Bliss and Carmella. He announces that at SummerSlam, the six women in the ring will compete in a 6-Way match to determine the first ever Women’s Universal Champion. He uncovers the belt, and Eva begins to confidently walk towards it. Becky gets in her way and the two stare each other down. Daniel Bryan gets in between them and tells him that they’re going to have plenty of opportunity to fight before Summerslam, because there’s a six-woman tag team match that’s about to start right now!
Match 3: Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, and Natalya vs Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Naomi
Alexa Bliss and Carmella shine in their debut match on the main roster, albeit as opponents. Carmella in particular captures the eye of Natalya, who focuses intently on ending her career before it even begins. Eva Marie tries to avoid any physicality possible, before she is drug into the match by Becky Lynch. Becky throws her around the ring a bit before locking in a Dis-Arm-Her. Natalya runs in to break up the hold. Carmella responds by tackling Nattie, and the two tumble out of the ring and begin brawling at ringside. In the chaos, Eva tags in Alexa, who nails Becky with a DDT, followed up by a Twisted Bliss. She gets the three-count for a win on her main roster debut!
The Miz is seen walking backstage in his wrestling trunks, prepared for his shot at the WWE Championship. Renee Young catches him and asks for a quick interview. Miz refuses, and says he’s focused on restoring the glory of the WWE Championship and “I don’t have time for meaningless paparazzi like you.”
Offended, she turns her eyes to Baron Corbin. She asks what’s next for him after finishing his rivalry with Dolph Ziggler. Corbin says he’s not really sure. Maybe he’ll “spit in the face of the next guy I see”. Coincidentally, that happens to be Zack Ryder. Corbin looks at him, laughs, and spits in his face, before rushing away. Ryder chases after him.
We return from a commercial break to both Dean Ambrose and Miz already in the ring. Greg Hamilton stands in the ring and introduces the champion and the challenger. Referee Mike Chioda holds the WWE Championship high, and the bell rings.
Dean Ambrose comes firing out of the gate, clearly upset at the demeaning words the Miz sent his way earlier in the night. “The Lunatic Fringe” dominated the early portions of the match, with Miz not standing a chance. Dean locked Miz’ arms in to prepare for a Dirty Deeds, Miz’s second of the night, but Miz was able to break out of it and whip Dean into the ropes. Before Dean could connect on a rebound, Miz fell to the floor and rolled out of the ring, out of harm's way. Or so he thought. Maryse comes to check on him at ringside, but before they realize it, an airborne Dean Ambrose is hurtling towards them. Miz quickly pushes Maryse out of the way and takes a hard suicide dive as we go to commercial.
Back in action, Miz has regained some momentum. Replay shows us what we missed during the commercial: a slight Maryse distraction allowed Miz to get in some offense on Dean and get back into the match. Dean was still in control, though, but more tattered now, allowing Miz to get some hits in. Momentum completely shifts when Miz is able to toss Dean into the corner turnbuckle. He presses his leg down on the back of Dean’s neck, and argues with the Chioda when he is told to break the hold. While Chioda is occupied, Maryse nails Dean in the face with the Intercontinental Championship. He stumbles backwards, a slight cut bleeding from his forehead from the blow, right into a Skull Crushing Finale from the Miz! Miz goes for a pin, but Chioda notices Maryse holding the Intercontinental Championship, and notices a little bit of blood splattered on the gold. Chioda waves off the pin, and argues with Maryse, before sending her off! In the chaos, Dean is able to get back up and hits Miz with Dirty Deeds to pick up the win and his second successful defense of the Championship.
Dean tends to his wound in the ring as Mauro Ranallo recaps the match, bragging about how Miz’s antics finally went unrewarded. As the show is about to close the show, the crowd stirs as a man jumps the barricade into the ring. He’s wearing jeans and a black hoodie, with his face hidden. He punches Dean around a little bit before hitting him with an RKO! IT’S RANDY ORTON! The man puts down his hood to reveal that the Viper has returned from injury and has immediately targeted the WWE Champion!
“Voices” plays as Randy Orton leaves Dean Ambrose laying in the ring, and the show fades to black.
The Usos def. The Wyatt Family American Alpha def. The Vaudevillains Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, and Natalya def. Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Naomi Dean Ambrose (c) def. The Miz (WWE Championship Match)
Monday Night Raw Preview August 1, 2016
Phillips Arena | Atlanta, GA
WWE Universal Championship
With the WWE Championship drafted to Smackdown, Raw Commissioner and General Manager Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley will reveal the circumstances around crowning the first ever WWE Universal Champion. There are a slew of names sure to be interested in the monumental occasion: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn all are expected to throw their names into the hat. Bigger questions include debutante Finn Balor and “The Beast” Brock Lesnar, who hasn’t been seen since Wrestlemania 32.
Queen's Court
WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair has reportedly asked to defend her Championship next week on Monday Night Raw. This week, she has been tasked with finding her opponent. Sasha Banks is sure to want another crack at the title she failed to acquire at Wrestlemania 32, while others like Paige and newcomer Nia Jax may have aspirations as well.
The New Day Tag Team Spectacular
After the Usos and American Alpha advanced last Tuesday, WWE Tag Team Champions the New Day will “officially” unveil the Tag Team Championship Spectacular tonight on Monday Night Raw. The first match of the Raw bracket will take place tonight, as The Primetime Players will take on The Club, newly separated from their brother, AJ Styles.
Confirmed For Raw:
The Club vs The Primetime Players
Heath Slater vs Neville
Braun Strowman in action
The Queen’s Court
Finn Balor’s Debut
Monday Night Raw August 1, 2016
Philips Arena | Atlanta, Georgia
A brand new opening video package featuring Raw’s newly drafted Superstars, including Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Finn Balor, Brock Lesnar, and the New Day, accompanies “Enemies'' by Shinedown to officially coronate a new era of Monday Night Raw. A pyro package explodes on the stage before Michael Cole’s familiar voice welcomes us to Atlanta, Georgia and a packed episode of Monday Night Raw.
Cole, joined by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton, break down the night for us. The New Day Tag Team Spectacular will continue with The Club vs The Primetime Players; and Charlotte Flair will hold court to decide the next challenger for the WWE Women’s Championship. But first, Raw’s new Commissioner and General Manager have an announcement to make.
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley waste no time, already waiting in the ring, alongside a covered pedestal. Stephanie opens up the show by thanking the WWE Universe for joining them on a historic episode of Monday Night Raw. Foley says they have a lot to talk about, but not enough time to do it. So “I’ll let the Championship do the talking”.
He jerks the fabric away from the podium to unveil the WWE Universal Championship. Stephanie explains that, with the WWE Championship getting drafted to Smackdown, Raw needs their own top prize, and “only the best of the best are ever going to hold this Championship”.
She announces a series of singles matches, two tonight and two next week, and the winners of those matches will participate in a Fatal Four Way Match at SummerSlam to crown the first ever WWE Universal Champion!
“Next Big Thing” erupts through the speakers, and the crowd waits patiently for “The Beast” Brock Lesnar to walk out from the curtain. Instead, they get Paul Heyman. He defiantly walks to the ring, microphone in hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Paul Heyman…” and so on. Stephanie and Mick allow him to finish his spiel. Mick brings the microphone to his mouth but Heyman interrupts him before he can talk. He says there’s been a mistake. Brock Lesnar is going to be in the match at SummerSlam, and he’s going to be the first ever “Reigning, Defending, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion”, but “Brock doesn’t work Mondays.” Stephanie informs him that things are going to be run a bit differently around here. Brock will wrestle against Finn Balor tonight, the winner will go on to Summerslam, and if Brock doesn’t participate, he can “spend his summer back home in Minnesota.”
Paul Heyman squabbles in the ring as Stephanie leaves. Mick tries to defuse the situation but follows Stephanie out once it’s clear that Heyman will not listen to reason. “The Truth Reigns” blares and Roman Reigns walks down to the ring for his qualifying match. He locks eyes with Heyman before he finally decides to leave the ring. Chris Jericho, Reign’s opponent, clad in diamond jacket and a magnificent scarf, accompanies him in the ring and the bell rings.
Match 1: Chris Jericho vs Roman Reigns
The two superstars trade holds and blows before Roman starts to pick up momentum. He gets a few solid strikes into Jericho, pinning him into the corner. Reigns pulls the future Hall of Famer out of the corner and lifts him above his shoulders for a Samoan drop. Jericho is able to squirm away and roll under the ropes by the announce table. Reigns follows suit but is met by a swift uppercut before Jericho throws him into the barricade. Cole sends us to commercial, “Roman Reigns faces off against the ‘slimy’ Chris Jericho”.
When we return, Jericho still has control of the match. He has Roman in a leg lock, weakening that limb. All the while, he’s yelling at Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, JoJo, and anyone else at ringside that he feels has wronged him. Roman takes advantage of a distracted Jericho and breaks the hold. Jericho counters with a quick dropkick before locking in a Walls of Jericho. Roman howls in pain, but holds fast. Roman bangs against the mat in a beat, trying to get the crowd to match it, but is instead greeted by a “Roman sucks” chant. Ignoring it, Roman reaches the ropes and forces Jericho to break the hold. Jericho holds momentum for a bit longer, hitting Roman with a bulldog in the center of the ring. Jericho is feeling himself, and grabs on to the top rope to prepare for a Lionsault! He leaps off, but lands right back on his feet. He waves it off, screaming “you don’t deserve to see that!” before stepping over Roman. Jericho stretches out his arms, “Drink it in, maaaa-”. Roman grabs Jericho for a roll-up, but “The Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah” kicks out at 2. Jericho quickly gathers himself and hits Roman with a quick kick to the face, sending him stumbling out of the ring towards the hard cam.
After Jericho’s near defeat, he turns his attention to Cole, who was “giggling like a schoolgirl!” Jericho sticks his head between the ropes, taunting him. What he doesn’t see is Roman turning the corner and taking flight for a drive-by! It connects, and Roman quickly gets in the ring and follows up with a Superman Punch and a Spear to get the win and punch his ticket to Summerslam.
Mick Foley sits at a desk in a makeshift office backstage, talking on his cell phone, when there’s a knock off screen. Mick puts down the phone and welcomes in Finn Balor, making his first appearance on Monday Night Raw. Finn appeared aggravated, complaining that he was supposed to wrestle Brock Lesnar tonight, and concerned about what his absence might mean for his qualifying match. Mick assures him that he’s working on getting a back-up in place in the event that Brock Lesnar doesn’t show up tonight. Finn nods his head, and walks out of the room. Mick gets back on the phone, “do whatever you can to get him here.”
Meanwhile, Tom Phillips stands by alongside the United States Champion Rusev, with his ravishing now-wife Lana. Tom begins to ask a question but Rusev cuts him off to talk himself up. Rusev brags about being the United States Champion; having the most beautiful wife in the world; and “being the most dominant man in the WWE.”
A hardy laugh emanates from off-screen as Jack Swagger confronts the US Champion. Swagger calls Rusev a decent champion, “you’ve had a good couple of months”, but it’s time to “put the United States Champion on someone who loves this country, and the people in it.”
Rusev disagrees with his assessment, saying that he’s full of love for Americans. It’s just unfortunate that none of them will ever reach the potential of Rusev, or be as ravishing as Lana. There is one thing they can agree on, though. Rusev and Swagger both want a fight, and “since we’re technically on our honeymoon, I’m feeling generous. My United States Championship is on the line.”
Back in the arena, Heath Slater is rocking to his entrance music alongside the rest of the Social Outcasts, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. The crowd lights up when “Break Orbit” hits the speakers as “The Man that Gravity Forgot” enters Phillips Arena.
Match 2: Heath Slater vs Neville
This is, by and large, a showcase match for both men. Neville gets to showcase his skill while Slater proves that he can turn in a fun match with anyone. The crowd is hot, largely due to Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel overcelebrating each hit that Heath gets off. The match was never really in question, though, with Neville picking up the win after a Red Arrow.
Michael Cole welcomes us back from a commercial break where they confirm that it is official: Jack Swagger will challenge Rusev for the United States Championship tonight.
“IT’S A NEW DAY, YES IT IS!”
The crowd roars for the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions, The New Day. Xavier Woods plays their way down to the ring on his trombone, Francesca II. Once in ring, they “officially” unveil The New Day Tag Team Spectacular, the cross branded tournament that will determine the participants in a Triple Threat WWE Tag Team Championship Match at SummerSlam. But “who, who, who” will it be? Could it be the charismatic Enzo and Cass? The iconic Dudley Boyz? Former NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha? “It could be anyone, really,” Xavier says.
“It will be us.” A remixed version of “Shining Star” plays as The Shining Stars come out to confront the WWE Tag Team Champions, dressed in suits. They declare themselves “The Shining Stars of Puerto Rico” and believe it’s time that the rest of the WWE come to accept Puerto Rico as superior. The New Day jab back that “it’s not even a state”, before Xavier admits that they are in the Tag Team Spectacular, and that they have a great opportunity to prove themselves. Kofi agrees, especially “if they wrestle as well as they dress.” Epico and Primo appreciate the compliment, but understand that it’s short-sighted. They, however, see much farther ahead. Along with their new associate, they are going to take over not only the Tag Team Division, but the entirety of Monday Night Raw. “Who is your associate?” Big E asks, drowned out by a chorus of “who” from the crowd. The chorus changed quickly when they realized who it was.
“I SPIT IN THE FACE OF PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT TO BE COOL”
IT’S CARLITO! “The Caribbean Bad Apple” is back in a WWE ring, half-eaten apple in hand! He pulls a microphone to his face before quickly bringing it down and spitting it in Xavier Wood’s face! The six men brawl in the ring before The Shining Stars get the better of The New Day! Carlito tosses Big E out of the ring while the Shining Stars hit Kofi Kingston with a Shining Star. Xavier stumbles up to try to fight but Carlito grabs him from behind and hits him with a Back Cracker.
Back at the announce table, Byron Saxton can’t believe that Carlito is back in WWE alongside his brother, Primo, and his cousin, Epico. “They could be a real force in this tag team division.” Graves adds on, “Tag team division? They just put the whole locker room on notice.” Cole segues into the next segment, “speaking of force, here’s a look at the irresistible force, Nia Jax.”
A short vignette highlights Nia Jax’s dominance in NXT. “The Irresistible Force” is coming to Monday Night Raw on August 15th. The vignette takes us to a commercial break.
When we return, Neville sits in his locker room, taking off his boots and contemplating on his solid win earlier in the night. Sheamus enters, aggressively patting Neville’s back and congratulates him on the win. He tells Neville not to bask in the victory for long, because there’s always a bigger fish out there. Before he leaves, Sheamus adds on, “Don’t get too high on yourself, fella. Remember, you’re The Man that Gravity Forgot.”
Back in the arena, “Making Moves” plays as The Primetime Players prepare for their match against The Club.
Match 3: The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) vs The Primetime Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) w/ Bob Backlund
The bell rings as “Omen in the Sky” plays. The song keeps playing, but “The Good Brothers” never appears. Titus and Darren wait, but begin to get frustrated. Once the music stops, the crowd begins to stir. Backlund walks up the steps to talk with his team. The confusion remains even after Jojo speaks up.
“I have just been informed that Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows have forfeited the match. The Primetime Players are your winners, and will advance to the next round of the New Day Tag Team Spectacular!”
Winners: The Primetime Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) w/ Bob Backlund
Not only is the crowd disappointed, but so are the Primetime Players. They leave the ring, their faces full of doubt and confusion after The Club’s no show. Michael Cole promises that he will get us answers as to why The Club has forfeited their match and their opportunity at the WWE Tag Team Championships whenever he gets the chance.
For now, he’d like to rewind back to the beginning of the match. He reiterates that four qualifying matches will take place this week and next, and that the winners will compete in a Fatal Four Way match at SummerSlam to determine the first ever WWE Universal Champion. He shows a recap from the first qualifying match, where Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho.
Backstage, we join a very unhappy Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens, as they scream at Mick Foley. The two are unhappy with Chris Jericho’s draw in the qualifying match, saying that “it’s completely unfair that you’d put a legend like Chris Jericho against Roman Reigns!” Mick explains that he would’ve had to beat him eventually, to which KO screams “That’s not the point! The point is, you’re just making it unbelievably hard on us because you just don’t like us! Who do you have me facing next week anyway? Andre the Giant?!”
Mick looks behind Owens, who turns around to see Cesaro. Cesaro informs KO that he looks forward to meeting him in the ring next week, and says that he can handle Chris Jericho too, if he decides to get involved. As he leaves, he tells Mick that he’s “doing a great job. The ones who care really appreciate it.” Mick’s face lit up at the compliment. He tells Owens to prepare for his match next week, and to “have a nice day.”
WOO! WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair struts her way down to the ring alongside her protege Dana Brooke. Dana opens the ropes for “The Queen” to enter the ring, adorned with a pink mat and an ornate throne sitting in the center. The Queen’s Court will commence. She begins by saying that she’s relishing a fight, so she’s asked Stephanie McMahon for a chance to find a challenger for the WWE Women’s Championship next week, and she’s willing to hear the cases of anyone who wants to challenge.
Immediately, Sasha Banks makes her entrance and intention to challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship. She claims that the two have had bad blood all summer, and it’s finally time for Charlotte to nut up and take Sasha on. Charlotte hums while she thinks, but before she can answer, “Turn It Up” plays to a massive ovation. Bayley is on Raw and is answering Charlotte Flair’s challenge!
Bayley first acknowledges how excited she is to be on Raw, standing in the ring with two of her best friends. Charlotte cuts her off, saying she would never be friends with an “obnoxious little girl like you”. Bayley shrugs it off and tells Sasha that, while she does deserve a shot eventually, “you had your chance at that title at Wrestlemania and lost. Now let someone else have a shot.” Sasha gives a sly smile, impressed that her friend would have the balls to say something like that. She disagrees though, and believes that she should be Women’s Champion, and that Bayley needs to earn her spot on the main roster.
Suddenly, a new challenger enters her hat in the race: Alicia Fox. As she approaches the ring, Charlotte yells to cut off her music. Alicia stops halfway down the ramp, dreading the instant rejection that she’s going to get. The look on her face says that she knew she didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of getting this match. “YES!” Alicia, Sasha, and Bayley are all flabbergasted. “Alicia Fox versus Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Championship next week on Monday Night Raw!” Her music hits as her and Dana leave the ring and her challenges in her dust.
We go back to the announce table, where Cole confirms the WWE Women’s Championship match set for next week. Before he sends us to the commercial, he teases what is next: Braun Strowman’s first match away from the Wyatt Family!
The broadcast isn’t back but for a few seconds when “BRAUNNNNNNN” screams out through the arena, introducing Braun Strowman. In the ring, is a scrawny little dude, Clint McDougal, a local wrestler.
Match 4: Braun Strowman vs Clint McDougal
This match goes exactly how you’d expect it to. Braun takes off right out of the gate and rams into Clint, sending him flying across the ring. A few hard punches and slams are finished off by a running powerslam, giving Braun the win.
Backstage, a very annoyed Stephanie McMahon has Bayley and Sasha Banks screaming in her ear, complaining about Charlotte conducted herself out there. Stephanie agrees with them, claiming that she was out of line. However; she allowed Charlotte to find a challenger and she did, albeit the wrong one. Stephanie ensures them that they will each get their shots when the time comes, cause Charlotte will defend her title at Summerslam. Her opponent will be decided in the next two weeks, “based on your performances”.
In catering, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Goldust, and R-Truth are discussing the Tag Team Spectacular. Truth mentions that he is “so excited to win the Royal Rumble and to main event Wrestlemania!” Goldust has to correct him, triggering an “oh, okay. My bad, man.” Enzo and Cass shake their head in disbelief when Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley walk in. They ask why a pair of washed up has-beens and a couple of children think they can get past the Dudley Boyz. Enzo chimes in with his usual insults, but closes it off with “has-beens? That’s big talk coming from the original Adam and Steve.” He adds on a few more old jokes before the Dudleyz decide to walk away.
Back to the action. Jack Swagger and Rusev make their entrances, and Jojo announces that this contest is for the United States Championship!
Match 5: Jack Swagger vs Rusev (c) for the United States Championship
Swagger and Rusev lock up after the bell rings. The two chain wrestle until Rusev pushes Swagger belly-first into the turnbuckle. Rusev howls and charges after him. Swagger is nimble enough to side step out of the way, sending Rusev crashing into the corner of the ring. Swagger swings around him, grabs him from behind and tosses him down with a side suplex. Swagger immediately reaches down and grabs Rusev’s ankle. Rusev is able to maneuver his body under Swagger, freeing his foot for a kick to Swagger’s back. Swagger recovers, swiftly turns around to counter-attack, but Rusev has rolled out of the ring and is being treated by Lana. “The Bulgarian Brute” will have to change his gameplan, as this may not be an easy match.
Momentum swings often in this match, as Swagger tries to work Rusev’s ankle to set up for his Patriot Lock. Meanwhile, Rusev tries every chance he can to lock in the Accolade, sure that it will end the match. Rusev whips Swagger into the ropes and leaps for a spinning heel kick. Swagger stops in his tracks and Rusev lands awkwardly on his already injured foot. Swagger is quick to try to lock in the Patriot Lock, and he has it! Rusev screams in agony and reaches for the ropes, but he’s in the center of the ring. Lana runs around the corner of the ring to try to guide him to the ropes. Rusev pushes and pushes. He’s inches from the ropes!
Swagger pulls him back to the center, but lets up just enough that Rusev is able to repeat his maneuver from the beginning of the match and gets underneath Swagger. He grabs him by the foot and pulls him down. Still holding onto Swagger’s legs, Rusev stands up, and falls straight down onto Swagger’s right leg. The entire weight of “The Bulgarian Brute” crashing down onto Swagger’s extremity. Swagger screams and rolls around in pain. Rusev is able to capitalize on this by stomping his back, setting up the Accolade. Swagger fights to get out of the hold. He’s able to get one arm free, and uses it to blindly throw punches in the direction of Rusev’s face, but Rusev catches a punch and resets the lock. Swagger then sees that his route to freedom are the ropes. He squirms that way and he reaches for the ropes! He’s almost there! Oh no! Lana has pulled the ropes Swagger.
Rusev brings Swagger back a few inches while the referee argues with Lana. He sends Lana out! “The Ravishing Russian” is ejected! Rusev breaks the hold to argue with the referee, and when he turns his attention back to Swagger, he’s hit with a Swagger Bomb! Swagger’s gonna do it! 1. 2. No! Rusev kicks out. Swagger lays face first on the floor, in disbelief of not being able to pin the US Champ with the Swagger Bomb when, as if raising from the dead, Rusev rolls over and gets on top of Swagger. He’s able to sit up and turns it into an Accolade! Swagger holds on for a few seconds but has to give it up in the end, tapping out to Rusev.
Seth Rollins and Tom Phillips wait in the backstage interview area for the broadcast to return. Tom begins by asking Seth his thoughts on the WWE Universal Championship. The title is the only thing that’s been on Seth’s mind all night, and he can’t wait until he wins it at SummerSlam and etches his name in WWE history. Phillips questions if he knows who he will be facing next week in his qualifying match? Seth doesn’t know, but whoever it is doesn’t stand a chance.
Sami Zayn walks in, and doubts that Seth knows just how much he is going to fight for that championship. “It’s been too long since I’ve been a champion in WWE. But I won’t have to wait much longer.” The two opponents stare each other down. Seth nods, almost as a symbol of respect, and walks off. Phillips asks a shaken Sami about that response from Seth. Sami shakes it off, believing it to just be mind games from “The Architect”.
Big Show is backstage talking with Goldust and R-Truth when Braun Strowman stops by. Big Show excuses himself and tries to talk with Braun. Show was incredibly impressed with him, and thinks he could be a big star one day. Big Show reaches out to shake Braun’s hand, who growls and walks off, leaving Big Show hanging.
It’s main event time in Atlanta as Finn Balor makes his first entrance on the main roster. Arms fly in the air as Finn waits for his opponent in the ring. Will it be “The Beast” Brock Lesnar? Instead, we hear the familiar sound of a car crash, and Mick Foley makes his way onto the stage. Foley says that Brock will not be competing tonight, but he wanted to make sure Finn had a proper debut match, so he’s brought a familiar foe out.
“Destroyer” plays and the crowd is shocked as NXT Champion Samoa Joe, arguably Finn’s biggest rival in NXT stomps out to the ring and is ready for another fight with Finn Balor.
Main Event: Finn Balor vs Samoa Joe
Following Samoa Joe’s NXT Championship win over Finn Balor in a steel cage at NXT Takeover: The End, “The Demon” thought his blood feud with Samoa Joe was surely over. However, Finn almost seemed relieved that Samoa Joe is his opponent rather than Lesnar. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t, right? Still, Finn was eager to prove himself to the Monday Night Raw audience, and was going to do it whether he was facing Brock Lesnar or Samoa Joe. Meanwhile, Joe felt empowered by his win at The End and the gold that belonged to him. The fact that Finn was drafted so high, while Joe was left in NXT surely left a chip on the NXT Champion’s shoulder.
All things considered, this should have been a barnburner, and it was. Back-and-forth action that saw both men desperately try to qualify for the spot in the Fatal Four Way at SummerSlam. Joe hit Finn with every suplex in his arsenal but still couldn’t keep Finn down. Finn dug down deep in his move pool as well, unable to get a three count.
A pele kick from Finn sent Joe staggering into the turnbuckle. Finn climbed to the middle rope and unleashed a fury of punches onto Joe, who was able to land a strike on Finn that incapacitated him. Joe grabbed his head, and pulled it down to his shoulders. He had him in position for a Muscle Buster, and he landed it! 1. 2. Finn’s shoulders don’t move, but the ref stops the count. Finn had shifted his foot under the ropes! Joe is beside himself. There is no way that Finn was going to kick out of that. Blasted ropes.
Joe pulls him away from the ropes and tries another pin attempt, but Finn kicks out of this one at two! Joe wants this to be over, so he wraps his arms around Finn’s neck. He’s going for a Coquina Clutch! He hasn’t wrapped his legs around Finn yet, who is able to flip up and get leverage on Joe. Finn, on his feet, kicks down at Joe’s head, who is forced to release the hold. Finn quickly stops down on Joe’s chest. Joe is able to power through the pain to get up, but is hit by a Slingblade! Finn uses his patented drop kick to send Joe bouncing from the turnbuckle, laying in prime position for Finn to hit the Coup de Grace. Finn tiredly climbs the ropes, but is caught by Joe when he reaches the second rope! Joe strikes Finn in the back, and reaches through his legs to pull his head down to knee level before super kicking Finn’s face off. Finn begins to fall back to the mat but Joe catches him. He has him in position for another Muscle Buster, but Joe’s hubris would prove too much for him. He climbs up to the top rope, Finn still hoisted above his shoulders. Finn is able to free himself and land on the mat. Joe looks behind him to see Finn still lying in the corner of the ring. He shrugs, and leaps off backwards. Finn rolls, and Samoa Joe crashes into the mat! Finn takes advantage and picks Joe up, locks his head under his arm, and lifts him for a 1916! Finn climbs the rope and connects with a Coup de Grace! 1. 2. 3! Finn Balor is going to SummerSlam to fight for the WWE Universal Championship!
Finn celebrates in the ring, he’s on his way to SummerSlam. He walks his way up the ramp and stops at the top, giving one last look at the fans and capturing a memorable debut night on the main roster. It would soon be one he’d want to forget, though. “Next Big Thing” pounds from the speakers, and Finn’s face goes white. “The Beast” Brock Lesnar charges from the curtain and lays out Finn. He suplexes him four times on the stage, climbs on top of his lifeless body and delivers multiple blows to the head of “The Demon”. Meanwhile, Samoa Joe is walking back up the ramp. Joe stares Brock down, but walks past him and backstage. Brock picks Finn above his shoulders for one last move: an F-5. He positions himself at the edge of the stage, and F-5’s Finn off of the stage, onto a nearby production table!
The Atlanta crowd throws countless boo’s at Brock Lesnar as Finn Balor’s debut Raw ends in catastrophe.
Roman Reigns def. Chris Jericho
Neville def. Heath Slater
The Primtime Players def. The Club via forfeit
Braun Strowman def. Clint McDougal
Rusev (c) def. Jack Swagger (United States Championship Match)
Finn Balor def. Samoa Joe
Roman Reigns vs Finn Balor vs ??? vs ??? (WWE Universal Championship Match)
AJ Styles vs John Cena
Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Eva Marie vs Natalya vs Naomi (WWE Women's Universal Championship Match)
Smackdown! Live Preview July 26th, 2016 First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
Lunatic Revenge
Dean Ambrose retained his WWE Championship against the Miz in the main event of last week’s Smackdown, but it was “The Viper”’s return that set the WWE Universe ablaze. Randy Orton returned and attacked Ambrose following his win. How will “The Lunatic Fringe” respond, and just how violent will it be?
Miz TV
Speaking of last week’s main event, The Miz has announced a vendetta against WWE Referee Mike Chioda. Miz will be hosting a special episode of MizTV to address the “controversy” and will be introducing an unannounced guest to the program. Who will be the special guest?
The Women Heat Up
Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, and Natalya walked out of last week’s Six Woman Tag Team Match victorious, but will their success continue this week? Announced on WWE Social Media earlier today, tonight’s Smackdown will feature Becky Lynch teaming up with Carmella to take on Eva Marie and Natalya. Carmella and Natalya were at each other’s throats last week, so things could get interesting tonight.
The New Day Tag Team Spectacular
One spot remains in the Triple Threat Match scheduled for next week’s Smackdown against The Usos and American Alpha, and both The Fashion Police and The Ascension look to join it. The Fashion Police, their investigation having turned up nothing, will look to try a new strategy tonight in the tag team contest. What will they have up their sleeves?
Confirmed For Smackdown:
Becky Lynch and Carmella vs Eva Marie and Natalya
The Ascension vs The Fashion Police
AJ Styles vs Kalisto
MizTV
As someone who has a lot of fun with graphics and layout, I have to say I'm keen with what I'm looking at here. I will say though, don't be afraid to boost the size of some of those graphics up.
We're still early days into the reinvented incarnation of the WWE Draft, and it's noteworthy to see you kept up with the New Era's draft picks in a lot of places. Glad to see Neville still kicking.
It's nice to see Rusev and Braun Strowman on their respective rises, and I like that you are taking things in a different approach when it comes to Finn Bálor - not overpushing him straight out of the gate. Interesting to bring up Samoa Joe so quickly, and probably a good thing to see Bayley up with the rest of the Four Horsewomen - though admittedly I have to question what the state of NXT looks like without these big guns down there.
It's hilarious seeing baby Braun Strowman.
I think that Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose has great potential to carry SmackDown Live in these first few months, even if the necessary match between John Cena vs AJ Styles will no doubt take priority in terms of star power.
I picture this really getting going once SummerSlam's out of the way, and you can truly make this your own work of art.
Interesting to bring up Samoa Joe so quickly, and probably a good thing to see Bayley up with the rest of the Four Horsewomen - though admittedly I have to question what the state of NXT looks like without these big guns down there.
I had a big problem with how long some of these guys stayed down in NXT, like Joe and Bayley, so I have plans to bring a few (not a lot) up in the next few months. I'm also trying to stick within a few months of when they debuted IRL as well, though.
Smackdown! Live Preview July 26th, 2016 First Niagara Center | Buffalo, NY
The closing moments to last week’s Smackdown opens tonight’s show. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose would emerge victorious against the Miz in a successful title defense. Following the match, Randy Orton entered the ring from the crowd and attacked Ambrose, leaving him laying in the center of the ring.
An enraged Dean Ambrose rushes out to the ring. “The Lunatic Fringe” is playing no games tonight! Mic already in hand, he begins his rant to the WWE Universe. He says that normally, someone would come out here to welcome everyone to Smackdown, but he’s not gonna do that. “No, I’m out here on business.” He calls out Randy Orton as Randy knows he is: a snake. He hides in the weeds waiting for his moment to strike. “You know who else hides and waits? Cowards.”
Dean pauses for a second, believing that his words would spark something in Randy. This only infuriates Dean even more. “This dude won’t even come out here to face me like a man.” Dean isn’t going to put up with that. He’s here on business and he knows that Randy is also a man of business. He knows exactly what Randy wants. “He wants a Championship match, and by God, I’m going to give him one!”
This gets the attention of Smackdown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan, who makes his way out to the stage. He tells Dean that he understands how he feels and, in normal circumstances, he’d give him the match. But the WWE Championship supersedes personal issues. “When you hold that Championship, you’re no longer Dean Ambrose or “The Lunatic Fringe”, you’re the WWE.” He tells Dean that he and Randy spoke earlier in the night, and that Dean was right, Randy did want a Championship Match. But Bryan told him that superstars are going to earn their opportunities on Smackdown, and that he will compete in a Triple Threat Main Event: Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt vs Kane. The winner will face off against Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam!
The answer may not have been good enough for Dean, who looks far from satisfied in the ring. Still, the match is official for tonight, as confirmed by our commentary team. Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga highlight the rest of the night, which includes AJ Styles vs Kalisto; Becky Lynch and Carmella vs Eva Marie and Natalya; and another edition of MizTV, with an unannounced special guest. But first up, we’ll see who will challenge The Usos and American Alpha next week in The New Day Tag Team Spectacular.
The Ascension awaits in the ring as The Fashion Police make their entrance. As they approach the ring, Ranallo introduces a video that aired earlier today across WWE’s social networks.
Tyler Breeze and Fandango sit in a room backstage that is clearly fashioned to be a police station. Their corkboard from last week remains, with The Ascension in the center. Breeze has a bottle of booze on his desk, but Fandango tells him to get rid of it “before the captain sees it.” Breeze hurriedly throws it in a trash can sitting next to his desk, before clarifying that there is no captain.
Fandango shrugs it off, and asks what their game plan for tonight is. They both look around the room, as if what they are about to say is considered taboo. In unison, they exclaim, “Good cop, bad cop!”
Back in the ring, the detective duo is ready for action.
Match 1: The Ascension vs The Fashion Police
When the bell rings, Konnor charges at Breeze, who is stopped when the latter holds up his hand. Fandango jumps off the ring apron and reaches under the ring for a table. The crowd erupts at the sight of the furniture! Konnor looks at the ref, who shrugs. Fandango tosses it in the ring to Breeze, who politely asks Konnor to back out of the way. Konnor obliges, and Breeze sets up the table in the center of the ring. Meanwhile, Fandango has grabbed a steel chair. He tosses it in to Breeze who sits it by Konnor, who is standing in the corner of the ring by his tag partner, completely baffled. Breeze urges Konnor to sit down. He laughs, but follows the order. Breeze snaps his fingers and all the lights turn off. Suddenly, a single spotlight lights up the table in the center of the ring.
Everything has been made clear to The Ascension. This is an interrogation! Konnor plays along as Tyler Breeze asks him questions about the forthcoming match. “What can you tell me about your tag partner?” and “what is your strategy?”. Konnor refuses to give up any information, only growling instead. Tyler says “I think it’s time to introduce you to my partner, then.” He goes to the corner and tags in Fandango. Fandango makes his way around to Konnor before grabbing him by the head and lifting him out of the chair! He pushes Konnor into the corner before sending hooks into his stomach, following up with a loud chop. Fandango shouts, “maybe he’ll be more cooperative!” before tossing Konnor over to Viktor’s corner of the ring. Viktor tags in and comes in steaming. He dodges a Fandango strike before whipping him into the ropes. Fandango panics, and leaps over the interrogation table, crashing into the ropes. Viktor goes around the table to get him, but Fandango calls for a timeout. He gestures Viktor back to the chair and tags in Breeze.
Good cop time! Viktor assumes the position at the table as Breeze interrogates him. “Why do your faces look like that?” and “Does my breath smell bad?”. Breeze isn’t getting any answers from this one either, and he throws his hands up into the air, begging for any information. Tired of playing games, Viktor tosses the table out of the way and lunges at him as the full house lights return.. He beats up on Breeze for a few minutes, but Breeze is able to counterattack with a quick enziguri. This staggers Viktor, giving Breeze enough time to tag Fandango in. The momentum of the match completely changes with Fandango now in control. Dango gets him with a Russian Leg Sweep before falling back with an elbow drop. He goes for a pin but Konnor is able to break it up. He sends Konnor flying out of the ring, and Breeze is there to toss him into the corner LED board, knocking Konnor out. Breeze enters the ring and sets the table back up. He sits Viktor back in the chair and handcuffs him to one of the table legs! The ref argues with Breeze, who flashes his badge at him, and tells him to back off. He returns to his corner and lets Fandango tag him in.
Breeze snaps his fingers again, and the lights go out. But the spotlight doesn’t return. Instead, we hear a crash. The spotlight comes on, and Breeze is laying on top of an exploded table. Fandango is distraught, looking around for a perpetrator. Konnor is still laying at ringside, and Viktor is handcuffed to the now dilapidated table. Fandango isn’t able to notice that Viktor has regained composure and is pinning Breeze. 1. 2. 3!
The Ascension will move on to face The Usos and American Alpha next week, but the mystery still remains. Who sent Breeze through the table? The ref helps Viktor free from his bondage and he and Konnor celebrate at ringside, as Fandango checks on his tag partner.
Backstage, AJ Styles is getting ready for his match with Kalisto. He tightens his gloves and puts on his armband. Daniel Bryan comes over, a stern look on his face. AJ wants to know why he’s got that look on his face. “I listened to what you said last week. I’m going to earn my way around here.” DBry ignores that, and wants to know why the Club didn’t show up on Monday Night Raw last night. AJ claims he has no idea what his friends are up to. He’s not seen them since the draft. All he’s focused on is beating John Cena at SummerSlam. Daniel informs him that he may want to focus on what’s ahead of him, and that his match with Kalisto is next.
Before the next match takes place, we join Renee Young backstage with American Alpha. Renee asks them how big their win last week was. Jordan believes that it was huge. It’s their first win on the main roster, so it gets that monkey off their back. “But there’s many more to come,” Gable adds on. “Not with that cocky attitude.” Alberto Del Rio walks on screen and warns American Alpha not to get too cocky. “I’d hate for your first win to also be your last.”
“Lucha Lucha” plays as Kalisto makes his entrance, shaking the hands of children as he walks down the ramp. Before he can make it to the ring, though, AJ Styles charges out from Gorilla and clobbers Kalisto from behind. He assaults him and ringside before throwing him in the ring. He gets him in position for a Styles Clash, when the familiar trumpets erupt through the speakers.
John Cena is in Nashville, and he’s ready for a fight! He sprints to the ring as AJ scrambles away from ringside into the crowd and jumps over the barricade into the crowd. Cena is given a microphone. He asks AJ what his problem is, believing that AJ is better than behaving like this. “We went toe-to-toe at Money in the Bank. You gave me one of the tougher fights of my entire career! You don’t have to come out here acting like a spoiled brat because you’re not getting your way.”
AJ can’t believe it. “I’m not getting my way? I’ve never gotten my way! I am the best wrestler alive today. I’m the best wrestler this century, and I have never gotten anything to show for it.” He’s spent the prime of his life wrestling in bingo halls and makeshift rings just for the chance to break into WWE. Now that he has, he’s taken the company by storm, but it’s not good enough. He’s worked his ass off, lasted almost thirty minutes in the Royal Rumble, but still hasn’t gotten his opportunity. Instead, they split him up from his boys, and run him around in circles fighting the same kiss-ass over and over again.
Cena cuts him off, saying that “you can’t expect to be handed anything in WWE, you have to earn it.” AJ explodes, claiming that Cena lucked into his spot because he could freestyle. “This is the wrestling industry. You’re just an entertainer. At SummerSlam, I’m going to prove just that by kicking your ass.” The tense staredown between the future opponents sends us into a commercial break.
When we return, The Usos are backstage discussing their match next week. Jimmy says that they need to watch out because American Alpha are pretty good. He’s seen the wars they’ve fought with the guys in NXT. Jey tells his brother that “they’re good, but they ain’t never been in the ring with us.” Jimmy says to “keep your eyes open. We have to win next week anyway we can.” Jey didn’t like the look in his brother’s eye. Like he was planning something.
A short recap video shows the finish to The Miz’s WWE Championship match last week, where Mike Chioda noticed blood on the Intercontinental Championship and waved off a pin attempt that would’ve won The Miz the WWE Championship.
“AWESOME!” hits and The Miz and Maryse make their entrance for another edition of MizTV. Miz holds the ropes open for Maryse to enter. He picks up a mic and taunts the Nashville crowd for a bit before formally welcoming them to “the most must-see talk show in WWE History!...” and the crowd picks up the “MizTV!” He says that normally, he’d invite his guest onto the show at this time, but tonight he has an extremely special guest… “The Intercontinental Champion, THE MIZ!” That’s right! Miz is the guest on his own talk show. Maryse cheers on the introduction from behind.
Miz claims that he is the most worthy superstar to be on MizTV because of the way he was screwed out of the WWE Championship last week due to the actions of Referee Mike Chioda. Miz claims that it was “the most incompetent refereeing I’ve ever seen in WWE history. It puts the Screwjob to shame.” The universal love of Bret Hart gets a small bit of heat sent the Miz’s way. The Intercontinental Champion continues, and demands a formal investigation into Chioda’s actions last week and that he will not leave the ring until Mike Chioda comes out and formally apologizes to him.
He looks up the ramp, awaiting the referee, but is greeted by Apollo Crews instead. Crews tells Miz to stop harassing Chioda, and that “if you want someone to take your anger out on, I’m always up for a fight.” Miz laughs, claiming that “it would be an embarrassment for someone of my caliber to waste my time on someone like you!” Crews, clearly prepared, quickly gears up a response for Miz. “If you’re so confident that you’re out of my league, put your title on the line.” Miz suddenly looks scared, afraid of losing his precious Intercontinental Championship. He then releases a sly grin. “Oh, Apollo. Have you heard nothing our wondrous leader, Daniel Bryan, has been spouting the last two weeks. You have to earn championship matches now. You can’t just demand them yourself.” But he has an idea, he tells Apollo Crews to meet him back in the ring later tonight, and he’ll give Apollo his chance to earn a Intercontinental Championship match. Apollo agrees to meet him later, and leaves “The A-Lister” in the ring.
The women are in action next, as Becky Lynch, Carmella, and Natalya await Nattie’s tag partner, Eva Marie as she makes her entrance in front of the Nashville crowd. A replay from last week’s Six Woman Tag Team contest reminds us about the bad blood between Carmella and Natalya, with the two spilling out of the ring in a brawl last week. That animosity is sure to continue tonight.
Match 2: Becky Lynch and Carmella vs Eva Marie and Natalya
Becky Lynch and Eva Marie start the match off as the eligible participants. Eva quickly tags Natalya in, stepping out of harm’s way. Natalya is happy to step in the ring and try to deal some damage. Carmella begins hopping around frantically the moment Nattie gets in, wanting a piece of her. Lynch, smiling, obliges, and Carmella lunges at Natalya, bringing her down to the ground as she throws fists towards Nattie’s face. Natalya is able to squirm away towards the top right corner, while Carmella follows her. She gets to her feet and wallops Natalya with swift kicks. The ref tells them to separate so Carmella makes some space, before charging back at Natalya and flying into her with double knees. Natalya narrowly avoids it, sending Carmella’s knees straight into the bottom turnbuckle. Natalya has Carmella right where she wants her, away from her partner and with wounded knees.
Natalya continues to work Carmella’s knees for a while. She tosses Carmella into the corner and tags Eva Marie in, much to Marie’s chagrin. Natalya holds Mella in the corner as Eva is not quite sure what to do. Eva comes behind Natalya and slightly slaps Carmella. Natalya throws a punch that sends Carmella to the ground. She turns around at Eva, flabbergasted. Natalya goes through the ropes, and tags herself back in. Eva hurriedly gets out of the ring and Natalya keeps fighting.
Every chance she gets, Carmella is reaching for Becky’s hands, hoping to get a tag in. Every time, Natalya pulls her back. Eventually, Natalya decides it’s time to stop playing with her food and locks in a Sharpshooter. Carmella is able to prevent her from locking it in, and kicks her into Eva Marie on the ring apron! Eva goes flying down to ringside, while Nattie berates her for her incompetence. Natalya huffs and tells Eva to get back up to the apron. She gets back to her feet, only to be met by superkick! It knocks Nattie out. The crowd, and Becky, know this is Carmella’s chance. Carmella gets the tag! Natalya reaches for Eva, but her hand is not out. Becky grabs Natalya and starts to assault her. She gets her in the corner before launching a Flying Fire-arm at her. Natalya weasels away and rushes to her corner, where she notices that Eva is distracted, ridiculing a fan in the front row. She tags Eva, to her surprise, and rolls out of the ring. Eva looks in the ring at Becky, and decides to nope out. She hops off of the ring apron and starts to walk towards the ramp. She’s stopped by Carmella, who clocks her with a right hand and throws her back in the ring. Natalya takes exception to her involvement, and tackles Carmella at ringside. She throws Carmella into the steel steps, but this prompts action from Becky. Becky leaps off the top rope, hitting Natalya with a diving cross body. She gets back in the ring, but is immediately hit by a Big Boot from Eva Marie. Marie picks her up and nails her with a DDT for the win.
Alexa Bliss stands in the interview space alongside Renee Young, having just watched the tag team match finish. Renee asks Alexa her thoughts on the match, and being left out of the ring tonight. Alexa shrugs it off, saying “let the girls fight all they want. I’ll be well rested come SummerSlam, and will walk out with the WWE Women’s Universal Championship.”
Naomi walks in, unimpressed with the rookie superstar. Naomi says she had a good showing last week, but wants to see for herself. She tells Alexa that they have a match booked for next week, “we’ll see how well rested you are after that”.
Apollo Crews welcomes us from commercials already in the ring, unsure of what’s next. Miz’s music hits and he walks out onto the stage, mic in hand. He tells Apollo Crews that he’s worked out a deal with someone backstage who’s also looking to prove themselves, and welcomes The Vaudevillains. Simon Gotch and Aiden English both join the Miz in walking down to the ring. Gotch gets in the ring and we have our match, while Miz is on commentary.
Match 3: Apollo Crews vs Simon Gotch
It’s clear from the get-go that Apollo Crews has a new giddy-up in his step, and the crowd can get behind him. He comes out of the gate flying, and completely dominates the match. Slam after slam, he decimates Simon Gotch. An underhanded tactic is able to get the Vaudevillain a step up in the match.
The Miz excuses himself from commentary to dispute what he calls “a pitiful referee performance” from his favorite, Mike Chioda. Crews is starts to process of his spin-out powerbomb finishing move, The Chariot, before Miz jumps on to the ring apron to argue with Chioda. Crews loses his focus for a split second, but that is just long enough for Gotch to counter out of the spin out portion of the powerbomb. He uses a toe drag to send Crews flying toward the middle rope, where English hits him with a right handed punch. Miz rescinds his arguments and allows Chioda to go back to the match by going back to commentary. Staggered, Crews takes a Piledriver and it looks like his Intercontinental Championship hopes are dashed…
He kicks out at 2! Crews is still alive. Gotch picks him back up and shoves his head between his legs, attempting another Gotch Piledriver, but Apollo’s strength is too much for him. Crews lifts Gotch up, sending him flying over his back. Gotch immediately gets back up and sprints at Crews, but Crews tosses him up for The Chariot and gets the three count.
Miz is outraged at Simon, yelling insults at him from the commentary table as Apollo celebrates in the ring. Crews points at Miz and shouts, “hope you’re ready for me!” Miz demands a mic, repeatedly shouting no. “You still haven’t proved jack squat! Aiden, get in there!” Aiden follows the order and Miz yells at the bell keeper to ring the bell. “You have to beat Aiden English too!”
Match 4: Aiden English vs Apollo Crews
Apollo, more annoyed than upset about the additional match, has no qualms with continuing to prove himself in front of the WWE Universe. This match, much like the last one, is dominated by Crews, despite interference from both Simon Gotch and The Miz.
A short burst of energy allows Aiden English a chance at the win, but Apollo’s athleticism squashes any hope he has. The finish comes with Crews picks him up for powerbomb, but Gotch climbs up to ringside to distract the ref. Crews loses no focus this time, and carries English over to Gotch, slamming him with his own tag team partner. Still holding on to English, Crews rebounds him off the ropes, spinning him around for a Chariot and getting the pinfall!
After the bell rings, Miz slides in the ring and tries to hit Crews with a Skull Crushing Finale, Crews breaks out of it, and instead hits Miz with The Chariot. Miz rolls to ringside and is immediately checked out by Maryse. As Miz stumbles up the ramp, he notices Maryse staring at Apollo. Perhaps too closely, in fact.
Mauro recaps the highlights of the night, and runs down what’s in store for next week: American Alpha vs The Ascension vs The Usos to advance to SummerSlam, and Alexa Bliss vs Naomi. But before we can get to that, we have a main event… Mauro pauses, and is told that a situation is developing backstage.
The broadcast switches over to a backstage camera as Baron Corbin assaults Zack Ryder. He throws punches at Zack before picking him up and tossing him into a bunch of storage crates. Ryder recovers and lunges at Corbin, who is able to pick him up and slam him into the crate with a Deep Six. “The Lone Wolf” taunts Ryder until he is run off by Mojo Rawley. Ryder’s tag partner checks on him as medics rush to his side.
After the harrowing situation, we return to commentary where Mauro Ranallo introduces us to our main event: The Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match!
Kane and Bray Wyatt make their entrances, as the crowd awaits “The Viper”’s first proper entrance in months. Randy Orton stalks down to the ring, staring down his opponents. Like Dean mentioned earlier tonight, this man has only one goal: The WWE Championship.
Main Event: Bray Wyatt vs Kane vs Randy Orton to become #1 Contender for the WWE Championship
Two surefire future WWE Hall of Famers in Randy Orton and Kane take on the rising superstar Bray Wyatt, each hoping to solidify their spot at SummerSlam. Wyatt lets Orton and Kane start throwing strikes at each other, the former Authority members, surely having some unsettled history. Wyatt meditates at ringside while Kane and Orton continue to go at it in the ring. Orton notices this, and throws Kane over the ropes towards Wyatt. Almost mystically, though his eyes were shut, Wyatt saw the incoming human missile and ducked out of the way, sending Kane crashing into the mat at ringside. Orton ushers Wyatt into the ring, and Wyatt accepts the invitation.
Orton and Wyatt in the ring are trading blows. An uppercut staggers Orton as Wyatt backs into the ropes. He bounces back and leaps off of his feet for a crossbody, but Orton catches him for a picture perfect scoop slam. Having worn down the two bigger competitors in the match, Orton wishes to redecorate a bit. He leaves the ring and pulls out a table, setting it up outside the ring opposite the announce table. Having finished setting it up, he turns to move towards Kane, who is already barreling towards him. Kane charges into Orton, sending him flying into the barricade. The two fight, again, while Bray Wyatt sits on from the top right turnbuckle, watching on. Kane picks Orton up to his side and drops him on the barricade. Orton screams in pain and holds on to the small of his back. Incapacitated, Kane can focus on Wyatt. He slides in the ring but is met with a strong fist from Wyatt. These two fight a bit while Orton lays at ringside.
Wyatt takes control of the fighting in the ring, hitting Kane with everything he’s got outside of the Sister Abigail. Wyatt then realizes the present that Kane left at ringside. He throws Kane out of the ring and lays him on the table. Wyatt jumps up to the ring apron and is about to leap off onto Kane, but Kane raises straight up! He swipes at Wyatt’s legs, sending him to his knee on the ring apron. Kane, on the floor, raises his hand to Wyatt’s throat. He lifts him up and chokeslams him through the table! Kane, like a sadistic madman, laughs at the mutilation while Wyatt howls in pain. Kane’s face would turn to horror as Wyatt’s screams would turn to laughter. Wyatt raises himself from his back-down position into his crab walk. Kane retreats to the ring as Wyatt follows. Kane charges but misses a clothesline attempt as Wyatt rebounds off the ropes and hits him with a running body block. Wyatt gets Kane up and delivers a devastating headbutt. He’s not finished. He climbs up to the top rope and falls off back-first, sending the full weight of his body onto Kane. He stays on top of him for the three count, but Orton breaks it up at 2!
Kane rolls out of the ring and it’s just Wyatt and Orton. They trade punches and moves until Randy is able to get control of the match. He hits Wyatt with his patented elevated DDT and moves to the corner to charge up an RKO. Suddenly, “Retaliation” hits, and Ambrose is sprinting down to the ring. Orton rises and tries to meet him with a punch, but Dean dodges it, kicks him in the gut and delivers a Dirty Deeds to Orton! Bray Wyatt tries to take advantage and pin Orton, but Dean pulls him off and delivers another Dirty Deeds to Wyatt. Dean pulls Orton onto “The Eater of Worlds” and the ref counts to three.
Dean Ambrose rolls out of the ring and walks back up the ramp. He looks at his carnage in the ring, proud of himself. He got what he wanted: Dean Ambrose vs Randy Orton at SummerSlam.
The Ascension def. The Fashion Police
Eva Marie and Natalya def. Becky Lynch and Carmella
Apollo Crews def. Simon Gotch
Apollo Crews def. Aiden English
Randy Orton def. Bray Wyatt and Kane (#1 Contenders Match)
Match Card:
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Randy Orton - WWE Championship Match
Roman Reigns vs Finn Balor vs ??? vs ??? - WWE Universal Championship Match
Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Eva Marie vs Naomi vs Natalya - WWE Women's Universal Championship Match
AJ Styles vs John Cena
The New Day vs ??? vs ??? - WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Monday Night Raw Preview August 8th, 2016 Honda Center | Anaheim, California
Brock Lesnar Fallout
Last week, Brock Lesnar turned heads once again as he assaulted Finn Balor following his victory over Samoa Joe, earning him a spot in the SummerSlam Fatal Four Way Match. That spot is now in question, with WWE Social Media reporting that Finn Balor could miss significant time from a dislocated shoulder following the F5 he took off of the stage last week.
Still, there are at least two spots to fill in the match. Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins will compete for one, while Kevin Owens and Cesaro compete for the other. What will happen with the fourth spot? Will Brock Lesnar make his presence known in Anaheim, California?
Charlotte's Choice
The Queen held her court last week, and decreed that she would defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Alicia Fox. That match-up will take place tonight on Raw. Waiting in the weeds for the winner are Bayley and Sasha Banks, who are also in competition tonight against Paige and Dana Brooke, Charlotte’s protégé.
US Open Challenge
Rusev continued his dominant US Championship run last week with a win over Jack Swagger. “The Bulgarian Brute” took to Twitter this week, announcing that he will hold a US Open Challenge tonight. He is willing to accept the challenge for anyone on the roster. Since the Draft, a slew of competitors could throw their name into the hat.
Confirmed For Raw:
Alicia Fox vs Charlotte Flair (c) - WWE Women’s Championship Match
Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins
Cesaro vs Kevin Owens
Bayley and Sasha Banks vs Dana Brooke and Paige
The New Day Tag Team Spectacular Continues
Rusev’s US Open Challenge
Monday Night Raw August 8th, 2016 Honda Center | Anaheim, California
The opening intro of Monday Night Raw welcomes us to the Honda Center in Anaheim California. A video package plays, making us relive Brock Lesnar’s heinous attack on Finn Balor in last week’s main event. A graphic showcasing an WWE tweet reveals that Finn Balor is expected to miss significant time after dislocating his shoulder when Brock Lesnar F5’d him off of the stage.
Already in the ring, Monday Night Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon joins General Manager Mick Foley to address last week’s actions. They first send their condolences to Finn Balor, and promise him a warm welcome whenever he is ready to return to Monday Night Raw. “Now to address the giant elephant in the room,” Foley says, before condemning Brock Lesnar’s actions last week. “The WWE is a land of opportunity. Brock Lesnar had his opportunity. Not only did he choose not to take his, he prevented someone else from seizing theirs.”
Stephanie declares, as a result of his actions, he is prohibited from traveling with them to Brooklyn and will not compete at SummerSlam in any capacity. The four losers from the qualification matches will face off tonight to determine the final spot in the SummerSlam Match. This brings out Paul Heyman who, on behalf of his client, has been sent out to deliver a very short but precise message:. “Without Brock Lesnar… There is no SummerSlam.” Heyman leaves the ring, with the threat clear. Give Brock what he wants, or face the consequences.
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring, while giving a stern staredown to Paul Heyman. Michael Cole gives us the rundown for the evening, including a US Open Challenge; WWE Women’s Championship Match, two rounds of the New Day Tag Team Spectacular, and now the Fatal Four-Way But first, Seth Rollins faces off against Sami Zayn in their Universal Championship Qualifying Match next!
Match 1: Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins
Both competitors are in their element, each vying to make history as the first ever WWE Universal Champion. This match gets the Anaheim crowd hot, with the fan favorite Sami Zayn getting in a lot of offense on the well-liked bad guy Seth Rollins. The two start the match with some quick paced action, both hitting quick strikes and kicks. Sami gets the last word in the opening bout, when Seth flings him into the turnbuckle. Seth charges at Sami, who flips him over the ropes. Sami takes off and rebounds off the ropes, hitting Seth with a dropkick that sends him flying to ringside.
With Sami fully in control of the match now, he sees his chance. He gets Seth back in the ring and hits him with a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Rollins is able to kick out! Sami goes to the top rope to take flight, but is caught by a leaping Rollins, who grabs Sami and throws him backwards onto the ring. Seth jumps off the ropes, nailing Sami with a splash, but it’s not enough for the pin.
Seth picks Sami up by the arms and tries to go for a Pedigree, but Sami flips Seth over his back. Sami, still staggered from the splash, falls into a resting position in the corner. Seth gets back to his feet and charges at Sami, but Sami ducks out of the way! He sprints into the opposite turnbuckle and then again towards Seth, going for a Helluva Kick! But Seth catches Sami and gets him positioned for a powerbomb. He delivers the bucklebomb to the turnbuckle and then finishes it with a Pedigree! 1. 2. 3! Seth Rollins is going on to SummerSlam!
Stephanie McMahon is in her office, with a half dozen security guards. She instructs them to “under no circumstances” allow Brock Lesnar to interfere in any match tonight. In fact, “don’t even let him in the building.” As they shuffle out of the room, Mick Foley approaches with a man in a suit.
Foley introduces him as The Club’s Agent. Stephanie welcomes him to Monday Night Raw, and apologizes for all the scrambling going around. The Agent understands, and urges Stephanie to gain control of her brand. He informs her that she’s scorned Anderson and Gallows and that they are refusing to work for her, unless she reunites them with AJ Styles.
“You want me to gain control over my show? How’s this for you? Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are in breach of contract with WWE.” Stephanie lays out her warning very clearly. If they are not in the American Bank Center next week, the WWE’s entire legal force will swoop down on them, destroying their careers, their families, and their lives. “Luke won’t even get a job as Festus.” The Raw Commissioner is in rare form tonight, and I wouldn’t want anyone standing in her way. Foley ushers the agent out, before instructing him to “have a nice day.”
We shoot back to the commentary table where they remind the WWE Universe of The Club’s action, or rather inaction, last week. They were scheduled to face off against the Primetime Players, but did not show up for the match. Cole will await further details and deliver them as they come.
Next up: Kevin Owens vs Cesaro to determine the third participant in the SummerSlam match. Kevin Owens makes his entrance first, alongside Chris Jericho. Jericho and Owens cut a promo on how unfair Corporate has been to them. Owens and Jericho believe they should have went straight to the SummerSlam Fatal Four Way as a reward for all they’ve done for this company. Jericho says he will continue giving, as he feels the need to grace the crowd with “the Gift of Jericho. Drink it in mannnnnn.” Sirens cut Y2J off as Cesaro makes his way to the ring for the contest.
Match 2: Cesaro vs Kevin Owens w/ Chris Jericho
The bell rings, and Cesaro starts hot. He nails KO almost immediately with a strong uppercut that sends Owens staggering into the corner of the ring. Jericho complains from ringside that KO wasn’t ready and that Cesaro should be disqualified. The ref ignores his bickering and proceeds to watch as Cesaro takes control of the match.
This was a strong showing from Cesaro. Owens got plenty of offense in, but it never seemed to phase “The Swiss Superman”. He’d get knocked down, but would always get back to his feet to fight back. Jericho was proving more effective than KO’s offense, however, as his constant annoyances got under Cesaro’s skin.
Cesaro gets KO ready for a Cesaro Swing when Jericho hops up on the ring apron, hurling insults at Cesaro. Cesaro breaks the hold and charges at Jericho, sending him flying to ringside. He turns but is rolled up by KO! Cesaro is able to kick out at two and both men scramble to their feet. Cesaro is quickly sent back to his knees with a superkick to the gut from KO, who follows up with a quick DDT. KO climbs the ropes and goes for a Frog Splash, but Cesaro rolls out of the way. He quickly gets up and grabs KO, getting him in position for a Neutralizer. KO somehow powers through and is able to flip Cesaro over his back, but the nimble Swiss lands on his feet. He quickly turns around and tries to take Owens out with a clothesline. Owens ducks under the arm of Cesaro, who rebounds off the ropes, straight into a Pop-Up Powerbomb that will send Kevin Owens to SummerSlam.
Kevin and Chris celebrate their win with a hug in the middle of the ring. Cesaro looks downtrodden, believing this was his chance to seize his future, as we head to commercial.
“Roar of the Lion” echoes through Anaheim as the United States Champion Rusev, alongside his wife Lana, makes their way to the ring. Rusev reminds the crowd, via the video board, of Jack Swagger’s embarrassing defeat at his hands last week. The United States Championship is still in the hands of “The Bulgarian Brute”.
Rusev is in a generous mood. “I’ve married the most ravishing woman on the planet, who is way more attractive than any of the idiotic valley girls from Southern California, and I’m the most dominant United States Champion of all time!”, so he is holding an Open Challenge. Anyone from the locker room is free to answer his call.
“The Man that Gravity Forgot” doesn’t hesitate. Neville strides out to the ring ready for a fight, a referee in toe. As he hits the ring apron, “Hellfire” sounds, signaling that “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus may have something to say too. Neville takes offense to his interruption, telling him to run off and “find a tanning bed”. Sheamus responds by telling him to go find “some talent of potential, cause you don’t have an ounce in your body”. The two are about to butt heads, as The Big Show comes out. Show claims that if anyone has proved himself time and time again, it’s him. Rusev chimes in, saying that he’s honored that so many want to go toe-to-toe with him, but they’re all misguided. “There’s not a man in that locker room that has a chance of -”
“BRAUNNNNNN”
Braun Strowman’s interruption of the US Champ has made his intentions known. He marches down to the ring before Mick Foley runs out after him. He stands between Strowman and his future victims, keeping the violence at bay. Foley suggests that next week, they have a 10-man #1 Contenders Battle Royal to determine an opponent for Rusev at SummerSlam. Rusev helps Lana out of the ring and strolls past the human giant, not concerned about Strowman is capable of.
Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho continue their celebration backstage, with Owens declaring the WWE Universal Championship “for Kevin Owens… Chris Jericho… and for all of Canada!” Chris sternly reminds him that after he wins in the main event tonight, he’ll also be in the SummerSlam match. The two lock eyes until Jericho breaks the staredown, “which means we have a greater chance of the two of us walking out co-champions!” Owens smiles, and agrees. Though the look on his face may betray his thoughts about “co-champions”. Jericho, nevertheless, is oblivious to this, as his attention is turned to the menace that has appeared behind him, Samoa Joe. Joe says that last week was just a warm-up and that the main roster hasn’t seen anything yet, but “don’t worry, Chris. I’ll show you what I mean later tonight.”
Jojo announces that the following contest is for the WWE Women’s Championship! Alicia Fox makes her entrance first. The crowd is still awaiting Charlotte’s entrance, and instead gets Dana Brooke coming out from backstage. She tells everyone to “fall to your knees, and bow down to The Queen. The WWE Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair!” Charlotte struts down to the ring, clad in a silver robe with her Championship belt wrapped around her waist. The bell rings, and the match begins.
Match 3: Alicia Fox vs Charlotte Flair (c) for the WWE Women’s Championship
Unlike Charlotte intended, Alicia Fox put up one hell of a fight to start the match, immediately taking Charlotte out after the Queen began taunting the crowd, turning her back to her underestimated opponent. Alicia takes her down with a strong strike to the back of the head. Fox doesn’t take advantage of the first strike though, backing off as if to show Charlotte what she’s capable of. Charlotte gets up, laughing. Alicia invites her to lock up, and Charlotte obliges. Quickly though, Alicia breaks the lock up and slides around to Charlotte’s back, locking in a Full Nelson! She’s trying to wear the Queen down! After a long hold, and the crowd cheering on a potential huge upset from Fox, Charlotte is able to break free. With the hold locked, she guides Fox towards the corner, and falls to her knees, sending Fox flying into the middle turnbuckle.
From here, it’s all as Charlotte expected. The Queen dominates the match, and finishes it with a decisive Natural Selection for the win.
Tom Phillips is joined in the interview area by “The Man That Gravity Forgot” Neville. Tom asks him his thoughts on the 10-Man #1 Contenders Battle Royale next week. Neville claims it’ll be tough and that there will be a lot of tough competitors out there for him to deal with, but he’s confident “that I will be the last one standing.”
Tom now introduces Sheamus, who requested this interview time to speak one-on-one with Neville. Sheamus warns Neville that he needs to watch his back next week. There’s nothing that Neville is going to be able to do to keep “The Great White” from claiming his prize. Sheamus growls and walks off, leaving Neville and Phillips bewildered. Neville asks, “do you know what I did to make that walking headlight so angry?” Phillips shrugs before sending it back to the ring and The New Day.
Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E populate the ring. They acknowledge that the final round of Smackdown is set: American Alpha vs The Ascension vs The Usos. Meanwhile, there are still five teams alive on the Raw side of things. They hype up each team individually before bringing them down. They recognize that the Shining Stars has potential, but they’re just nothing but “Eddie Guerrero wannabe’s”; they claim the Dudleyz are surefire Hall of Famers, and deserve a spot on the Tag Team Mount Rushmore… “if they can find a mountain big enough for Bubba Ray’s forehead!” They then talk about the Golden Truth, before failing to come up with an insult, saying “those guys are just the best.”
Xavier then utters the names of Enzo and Cass which warrants their response. They walk out to the ring, giving their usual introductions. They make their way to the ring, and Enzo gets in Xavier’s face as he hits his “How you doin’?” Woods wipes the spit off of his face before Kofi clarifies that they have no beef with Enzo and Cass. They’ve been impressed with them since they’ve come up from NXT. They have real potential to be one of the greatest tag teams of all time. But they’re “going to have to prove it against two of the greatest of all time.” The missiles fire and the Dudley Boyz arrive for their upcoming match against Enzo and Cass. As they make their entrance, we go to a commercial break.
When we return, we see Alicia Fox backstage, licking her wounds. Paige approaches and condescendingly claims that Alicia “tried real hard” but ultimately came up short. She tells Alicia to watch her match later tonight, and maybe she’ll learn a thing or two.
The New Day sit at ringside to watch this New Day Tag Team Spectacular contest, to see who will advance. Their antics at ringside, particularly Francesca II, serve as distractions for both teams. The trombone is silenced after D-Von Dudley effortlessly tosses Enzo over the ropes, crashing into Xavier, Kofi, and Big E at ringside.
As a result, the New Day change their tone. They get more serious and focused on the match, clamoring for Enzo and Cass to get a big win in their young careers. The youth of the duo would prove useful in this case, as they pick up a solid win against the grizzled Dudleys and advance to the finals.
And you can’t teach that! Enzo and Cass will advance to the final round of the New Day Tag Team Spectacular and will face the Primetime Players, along with the winners of The Shining Stars and The Golden Truth later on tonight.
A short commercial break is broken up by the entrance music of “The Boss” as we have Women’s Tag Team Action up next. Sasha Banks is joined in the ring by Bayley, and opposite of them are Charlotte’s protege Dana Brooke, and Paige. Charlotte sits at ringside, watching her protege’s progress.
Match 5: Bayley and Sasha Banks vs Dana Brooke and Paige w/ Charlotte
Corey Graves claims that Charlotte is there to coach up her Dana Brooke, and points out how dedicated she is to her friend’s success, even after a grueling victory earlier in the night. Byron points out that he doesn’t think Charlotte broke that much of a sweat, and that she’s berating Sasha and Bayley more than she is coaching Dana.
Despite this, Bayley and Sasha do not budge. The two friends really gel as a tag team, keeping control of the match in their favor until Dana tags Paige in. A more formidable opponent, Paige takes a bit more to bring down, and suddenly momentum changes in the heels’ favor when Paige whips Banks into the corner, directly into a Dana Brooke boot from the ring apron.
Paige and Dana take turns piling it on Sasha, trying to keep her on their half of the ring. A crack in Dana’s defenses allows Sasha to break free following a kick to the face. Bayley comes in hot, knocking Dana down repeatedly with clotheslines, before hitting her with a belly-to-back suplex. Paige reenters the ring, but Banks makes it back in, knocking her out of the ring with a dropkick. Dana gets back to her feet but immediately takes a Bank Statement and staggers into Bayley for a Bayley to Belly, and Bayley picks up her first win on the main roster!
After the match, Charlotte slides in and tries to attack Bayley. Banks intercepts her, and whips her over the top rope, crashing nearby Dana Brooke. As soon as Charlotte lands, she clutches her knees, and wails out in overexaggerated pain. Dana helps her up and acts as a crutch for her mentor.
Corey Graves is livid at Sasha Banks’ actions, resulting in the Champ getting injured! Byron Saxton points out that there’s no way she’s actually hurt, and she’s just trying to postpone her inevitable matchup against either Sasha Banks or Bayley.
Roman Reigns makes his way out to the ring, accompanied by a chorus of boos from the Anaheim crowd. He wants to make his intentions clear. He is winning the WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam, and he doesn’t care who joins the match later tonight. Be it “Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens or Seth Rollins…” Seth Rollins takes this as an invitation. He joins his former Shield brother in the ring and addresses the situation. He believes Reigns’ claim that he will win the Universal Championship is ridiculous, but is here to make something very clear. “There is no longer any animosity between us. I’m looking past you and towards the future. My future: The WWE Universal Championship.”
Seth extends his hand out for a handshake, but Roman declines it. “Do you really think I’m stupid enough to play these games? I’m gonna shake your hand, you’re gonna pedigree me, and I’m going to be left looking like an idiot before the biggest match of my career.” Seth apologizes to Roman, and explains that he believed that he needed to play those games because he’s always been the little brother to Roman. “Roman is the next Hogan. Roman is the next Austin. Roman is the next Cena. It was never me!” Seth says years ago, he accepted his place in the hierarchy and knew that he needed to try everything possible to get in front of Roman, which he did. He betrayed the Shield; he cashed in at Wrestlemania; he’s gotten the better of Roman multiple times. But now, “I know I don’t have to play games anymore. I’m more than capable of beating you man-to-man. And I’m going to prove that at SummerSlam.”
“The Architect” goes to leave the ring, before turning around and getting one last word in to Roman. “You won’t shake my hand now, but you will at SummerSlam.”
Paige marches through the halls of the Honda Center, upset about her defeat. Alicia Fox approaches from behind and pokes fun at her. “I did learn something from your match. I learned what not to do if I don’t want to get my ass beat.” Paige lunges at Alicia and the two brawl. Paige tosses Alicia into the wall, but Alicia bounces off and tackles Paige to the ground. They trade blows with each other until referees and other personnel are able to separate them.
The final first round match-up of the New Day Tag Team Spectacular is next, as both The Golden Truth and The Shining Stars make their entrances. Carlito accompanies Primo and Epico out from backstage before leaving them to do their business on their own.
Match 6: The Golden Truth vs The Shining Stars
While Goldust and R-Truth put up a solid enough fight, Primo and Epico look really impressive in this match. It’s as if a wave of confidence has rushed over them after the arrival of Carlito. Primo quickly gets the upperhand on R-Truth, consistently tagging Epico in to double team the veteran.
After a few minutes of control, R-Truth is able to squeeze through the two Stars and quickly tag Goldust in. Goldust plows through Epico and pushes Primo straight into the turnbuckle, charging in and slamming his body into Primo’s. Goldust pulls him out of the corner, but Primo is able to get free of his grasp. He grabs Goldust by the arm and swings him into R-Truth. While Goldust looks down at his partner, Primo tags Epico back in and they finish Goldust off with a Shining Star.
The referee raises The Shining Stars’ hands, and they promptly leave the ring, leaving no room for celebration. This was a job. They have more to do. Meanwhile, Truth checks on Goldust, who profusely apologizes for knocking Truth off. Truth doesn’t blame him. It’s all good.
After a short commercial break, Sami Zayn makes his entrance for the main event, Cesaro and Chris Jericho already in the ring. As Sami makes his way to the ring, we get a quick cutaway to a situation that WWE cameras picked up just moments ago involving The Golden Truth.
R-Truth and Goldust try to pick each other up backstage, when The Social Outcasts come by to berate them, saying that they wouldn’t be caught dead losing in the embarrassing fashion like The Golden Truth. R-Truth wants to fight, saying he’s challenging them to a match “at Wrestlemania!”. “No, no. I think you mean SummerSlam. Nevertheless, let’s not wait until SummerSlam. Let’s have a match next week!” The Social Outcasts accept, and the match is on!
We return to the ring as Samoa Joe makes a triumphant entrance. The stage is set, and the main event is on. Who will go on to join Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens at SummerSlam?
Main Event: Cesaro vs Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn vs Samoa Joe
The bell rings, and Chris Jericho immediately begins to berate each competitor. The other three just stare at him, while keeping an eye on one another, until Samoa Joe decides to shut Jericho up. He shoulder blocks him and then sends him flying over the rope to ringside. Cesaro and Zayn quickly jump Joe, trying to wear down the NXT Champion. Joe is able to counter the attack, grabbing both of them by the heads and slamming them in to each other. Cesaro rolls out of the ring, leaving Samoa Joe to focus on Sami. Joe sees a swift end to this match, and gets Sami into a Coquina Clutch!
Sami refuses to tap, and is saved by Chris Jericho and his scarf! Jericho had slid into the ring behind Joe and wrapped his iconic scarf around Joe’s head, blinding him. Joe is able to get to his feet, vision still impaired, but Jericho hits him with a backbreaker as he gets up. Jericho, the lone man standing in the ring, wraps the scarf around his neck and goads the crowd into drinking in the Gift of Jericho! The crowd’s boos are silenced when Cesaro rushes in and nails Y2J with a quick uppercut. Cesaro tries to keep the attack going on Jericho, but he rolls out of the ring, as Sami Zayn comes from behind to roll Cesaro up. “The Swiss Superman” kicks out at two!
Sami Zayn strikes at Cesaro hard, keeping him on his knees, but is pulled out of the ring by Samoa Joe, who shoves Sami into the ring post. Sami falls back into Samoa Joe’s grasp, who flings him over his head for a suplex. Joe has no time to relax, as a charging Cesaro rams into him, knocking him back into Sami Zayn. Cesaro jumps over the two bodies and continues on, taking a jump off of the steel steps and hitting Jericho with a diving uppercut. Cesaro slides back in the ring and hears the roar of the crowd. He notices Joe and Zayn starting to get back up at ringside, and leaps out of the ring with a suicide dive! Cesaro connects with Zayn, but Joe has the smarts to side step out of the way. He immediately grabs Cesaro and lifts him up, slamming him down backfirst onto the ring apron. He picks Sami up and slides him back in the ring. “The Destroyer” stacks Zayn and Cesaro on top of each other and climbs to the middle rope. He leaps off backwards with a senton, crushing his two competitors. Before Joe can get a pin, Jericho flies and sends Joe out of the ring, through the ropes. He springboards off the middle ropes and hits a Lionsault onto Zayn, but the pinfall is broken up by a pissed-off Joe. Samoa Joe has his sights set on Jericho now and and strikes him with multiple kicks and suplexes while Cesaro and Zayn recover in the corner. Joe eventually gets a Coquina Clutch locked in. Cesaro and Zayn are unable to get up to stop the hold and Jericho’s about the tap!
“Next Big Thing” erupts from the speakers to Joe’s surprise, as “The Beast” makes his way to the ring after slinging a security guard from behind the curtain. Stephanie’s reinforcements did not work. Joe shouts “hell no!” and releases the hold, slides out of the ring and sprints up the ramp to meet Brock Lesnar. A dozen security guards try to get between Lesnar and the ring, but are utterly decimated by the two monsters. Lesnar and Joe trade blows on the ramp, but Lesnar is able to get the better of him and throws him into the barricade. Meanwhile, in the ring, Jericho wants to end the match before Lesnar can get to the ring. He has Zayn locked in the Walls of Jericho! But Cesaro comes up from behind and pulls him off. Picking him up and tossing him over the ropes at Lesnar, who catches him in midair! Lesnar casually hits Jericho with an F-5. Two men out of commission and two men to go. Lesnar hops up onto the ring apron, when Roman Reigns comes storming out of the back!
Reigns will not let his WWE Universal Championship hopes die and he will not let Brock Lesnar ruin this match. Lesnar meets him at ringside and the two brawl around the ring, towards the announce table. Reigns and Lesnar are going back and forth, but Lesnar is able to get the upper hand and gets Roman in position for an F-5 onto the announce table! Suddenly, Seth Rollins jumps over the barricade, chair in hand. He nails Lesnar in the chest with the chair, making Lesnar drop Reigns. Seth continues to go to town on Lesnar with the chair, bringing him to his knees. Seth stares at Roman, who is preparing for a chair shot at any time. To his surprise, Seth drops the chair. He gets Lesnar up and tries to pick him up, wanting to set up a Shield Powerbomb with Roman! But Lesnar is able to get free of the hold with a punch to Seth’s face. But out of nowhere, Cesaro leaps over the ropes and collides directly with Lesnar. Cesaro doesn’t want to see his dreams get crushed by “The Beast”. Cesaro and Seth pick Lesnar up right into Reign’s hands, and Reigns delivers a vicious powerbomb to Lesnar, sending him through the table!
With Lesnar done, Cesaro heads back in the ring to finish off Zayn. He rushes towards Zayn, who is sitting in the corner of the ring, but is attacked by Samoa Joe. Joe gets Cesaro with an impressive Muscle Buster, but is then grabbed from behind by Zayn, who somehow suplexes Joe into the turnbuckle! Joe gets back to his feet but is instantly hit by a Helluva Kick from a charging Sami, who gets the three count and will move on to SummerSlam!
Sami celebrates as he’s earned a spot in a career defining match. Brock Lesnar slowly rises from the rubble of the announce table, and stares intently at Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, who are exiting the arena. Monday Night Raw’s saviors look down from the stage. Rollins extends his hand once again towards Roman. “The Big Dog” nods his head in approval, but leaves Seth hanging as the show goes off the air.
Seth Rollins def. Sami Zayn
Kevin Owens w/ Chris Jericho def. Cesaro
Charlotte (c) def. Alicia Fox (WWE Women's Championship Match)
Enzo and Cass def. The Dudley Boyz
Bayley and Sasha Banks def. Dana Brooke and Paige w/ Charlotte
The Shining Stars def. The Golden Truth
Sami Zayn def. Cesaro, Chris Jericho, and Samoa Joe
Match Card:
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Randy Orton - WWE Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns vs Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins - WWE Universal Championship Match
Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Eva Marie vs Naomi vs Natalya - WWE Women's Universal Championship Match
AJ Styles vs John Cena
Rusev (c) vs ??? - United States Championship
The New Day (c) vs ??? vs ??? - WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Booker's Note: Sorry for the delay in posting the next show. I had a hard time writing anything wrestling related after Bray Wyatt's death. He was one of my favorites, and his death really hit me hard. On top of that, I actually had big plans for him in this BTB. I was torn on how to proceed with him. I wanted to continue with him as a feature player, but was afraid that I wouldn't be able to focus with anything involving him. I was in a fortunate spot, where my plans were him were going to start in the next show, but hadn't yet. So I could have removed him from my plans, but felt like that was a disservice. After some thought, I decided to move ahead with my original plans regarding Bray. As I was writing his segments, it actually was somewhat therapeutic.
Again, I apologize for the delay while I decided how I wanted to move on. I will have Smackdown up shortly after this goes up.
Booker's Note: Sorry for the delay in posting the next show. I had a hard time writing anything wrestling related after Bray Wyatt's death. He was one of my favorites, and his death really hit me hard. On top of that, I actually had big plans for him in this BTB. I was torn on how to proceed with him. I wanted to continue with him as a feature player, but was afraid that I wouldn't be able to focus with anything involving him. I was in a fortunate spot, where my plans were him were going to start in the next show, but hadn't yet. So I could have removed him from my plans, but felt like that was a disservice. After some thought, I decided to move ahead with my original plans regarding Bray. As I was writing his segments, it actually was somewhat therapeutic.
Again, I apologize for the delay while I decided how I wanted to move on. I will have Smackdown up shortly after this goes up.
Smackdown! Live August 9th, 2016 Rabobank Arena | Bakersfield, California
“Retaliation” breaks the excited quiet inside the Rabobank Arena. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose is here to open up the show! As he makes his way to the ring, Mauro Ranallo recaps what took place in last week’s main event, a #1 Contenders Match for Dean’s WWE Championship. A video package shows Dean Ambrose nailing both Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt with a Dirty Deeds before helping Orton get the win.
Dean waits for the video recap to finish in the arena before explaining his actions. He wants a match with Randy Orton, but had to take matters into his own hands. Now, “he’s drawn the snake from his den”. The match is official and he’s going to defend the WWE Championship against “The Viper” at SummerSlam!
The lights shut off. A faint dim from the video board lights up the arena, a light coming from a lantern. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan occupy the screen, warning Dean of his actions last week. Bray feels that Dean wronged him and reiterates that he “doesn’t take kindly to wrongdoings”. Bray utters a creepy “run” and blows the lantern out.
Dean frantically looks around in the ring, awaiting an attack, but “The Eater of Worlds” does not emerge. Dean abandons the ring to head backstage, but not without looking over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga take us through tonight's entertainment. Alexa Bliss will take on Naomi in her singles debut on the main roster; John Cena is here and wants to speak with AJ Styles man-to-man in the ring; but first, the Smackdown Finals of the New Day Tag Team Spectacular: American Alpha vs The Ascension vs The Usos!
Match 1: American Alpha vs The Ascension vs The Usos
This match is a showcase for American Alpha, who have the match won on multiple occasions before one of the other teams break it up, proving just how difficult Triple Threat matches are. Despite the showing from Gable and Jordan, The Usos are out to prove that they’re still the golden standard in the tag team division.
The finish comes when Gable has Jimmy in an ankle lock. Jimmy is moments away from tapping, when Jey enters the ring to break the hold. Jason Jordan follows suit and tackles Jey, spilling both of them outside the ring. The Ascension are both down, Jey and Jason are occupied, it’s down to just Chad Gable and Jimmy Uso. Jimmy flips over onto his back and brings Gable down towards him, where Jimmy rakes his eyes. Gable’s body blocked the refs view, so he didn’t see the illegal action. Gable releases the hold and staggers backwards, before being met by a superkick from Jimmy, who follows up with a three count.
The Referee approaches Jimmy as Jey rolls in the ring. He raises up the brother’s hands, as The Usos punch their ticket to the WWE Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam!
We’re welcomed back from the commercial with a short recap of Miz and Maryse fleeing from Apollo Crews last week. Otunga is quick to point out Maryse’ glance towards Apollo, and wonders if the “It Couple” might be going through some issues. JBL dismisses the claim, but is stunned to see the Miz and Maryse arguing backstage.
In the midst of the argument, Apollo Crews walks by. Miz greets him with an angry “what do you want?” whilst telling him that he’s in the middle of an important conversation. Apollo tells Miz that he’ll get out of his hair, but he just wants Miz to know that he’s looking forward to their match at SummerSlam and “putting that belt on someone who deserves it.”
Miz laughs, saying that he’s not wrestling at SummerSlam… yet. Apollo has done nothing but beat a couple of goons. If he wants an Intercontinental Championship match at SummerSlam, “you’ll have to beat me… tonight”. Crews nods his head, wanting to get his hands on the Miz. He winks at Maryse as he leaves, leaving the Miz irate.
Elsewhere in the halls of the Radobank Arena, Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan is conversing with Dean Ambrose. He tells Ambrose that he’s disappointed in Dean and that he should have let the match play out, but that “I would have done the same thing in your shoes.” He informs Dean that Bray does have a right to be upset and that The Wyatt Family are in the building tonight. To avoid any unwanted conflict backstage, Daniel has made a tag team match official. The Wyatt Family vs Dean Ambrose and a partner of his choosing. Bryan gives him the night to find a partner, cause that match is the main event.
Bakersfield is ready to Feel the Glow as Naomi dances her way to the ring. Subsequently, Alexa Bliss is introduced and walks down the ramp for her singles debut on the WWE roster.
Match 2: Alexa Bliss vs Naomi
Alexa’s first singles match on the roster goes about as well as it could have. Her and Naomi go back and forth, with Naomi even nearly hitting a Rear View on Alexa. Bliss dodges the attack and Naomi flies back and wedges herself into the middle and top ropes. Alexa is quick to her feet and grabs Naomi’s head, bringing it down hard with a DDT. She climbs the ropes and connects with a Twisted Bliss to pick up her first singles win.
Bliss quickly exits the ring as Naomi swipes at her. Bliss has secured her first singles win with just two weeks ahead of her match at SummerSlam for the inaugural WWE Women’s Universal Championship!
The women stay in the spotlight as Becky Lynch makes her entrance as Bliss walks up the ramp. The two stare at each other as Becky gets in the ring. She tries to give Naomi a warm word of comfort, but is shot down. Ignoring that, she has a message to the WWE Universe that all of her competitors will want to hear.
She declares that not only was this title created for her, but that her entire career has been built up to this moment; her crowning moment. Years of pain, betrayal, and self-doubt will all be worth it once she “straps that beautiful gold belt around my waist.”
Her message is cut short by one of the other six competitors, and one who has made quite the impact since the WWE Draft: Eva Marie. Eva wants to let Becky know that she has had Becky’s number for each of the past two weeks and “that’s not changing tonight, or next week, or at SummerSlam.” Becky informs Eva that she’s gotten lucky and has just taken advantage of Alexa and Natalya to pick up those wins. “At SummerSlam, it’s all or nothing. To be more precise, all for me… nothing for you.”
Eva quickly slaps Becky across the face and hops out of the ring before Becky can retaliate. Mic still in hand, she gives Becky, and the other women, one last message: “After SummerSlam, Smackdown will be painted in red.”
We return from commercials to the black-and-white noir world that The Fashion Police reside in. Tyler Breeze, tending to his wounds with a cold bottle of alcohol, sits alone at his desk. Fandango rushes in, “I got them!”
Breeze and Fandango scramble outside into the colored world of the Radobank Arena before re-entering the black-and-white by walking into a storage closet where The Vaudevillains are stashed. English and Gotch, more annoyed than anything, patiently sit on two storage crates in the corner.
Breeze asks how Fandango got them into the storage closet, to which Fandango suspiciously replies “I have my ways.” English explains that Dango politely asked and they came in. Breeze cuts them off, telling them they played Good Cop/Bad Cop last week and got burnt. This week it’s “Bad Cop/Bad Cop”! He pulls the storage closet shut, shutting out the camera from the interrogation.
Renee Young waits backstage alongside Mojo Rawley. Renee reminds the crowd of Baron Corbin’s beatdown of Zack Ryder last week and asks Mojo how Ryder is doing. The update is not as positive as Mojo would want, but Zack’s going to be back in a couple of weeks.
The interview is interrupted by Baron Corbin, who “comes in peace” and wants to send his deepest condolences to Zack. He actually has a care package that he wants Mojo to send to Ryder, if he will. He brings out a “Get Well Soon” balloon, along with a vase of flowers. Instead of giving it to Mojo, he cracks the vase over Mojo’s head. Officials and security are quick to pull Corbin away from him as Daniel Bryan comes running over. Bryan helps Mojo to his feet. He’s dizzy, but is conscious enough to declare that he wants a match with Baron Corbin next week.
An endearing “John Cena Sucks” chant breaks out as John Cena makes his entrance. He plays up with the crowd, much less hostile than he’s faced in years past. He asks if they’re excited for SummerSlam coming up in just 12 days, before asking if they’re excited “for John Cena to whoop AJ Styles ass?” The crowd lets out a strong cheer, before Cena claims that they may not have to wait until SummerSlam. He wants AJ to come out to the ring right now, and he wants to talk to him man-to-man. But he “can’t promise that we’re just gonna talk.”
“Phenomenal” plays, and Cena turns his attention to the stage. “The Phenomenal One” never appears, however. Not in person, anyway. AJ Styles then appears on a video screen, walking through what looks like an airport. He says he unfortunately missed his flight to Bakersfield, before hinting that it wasn’t an accident. “So I’m spending my Tuesday night hanging out with some old friends, and potentially making new ones. I’ll see you soon, Johnny.”
Cena is left in the ring as Mauro, JBL, and Otunga try to make sense of AJ’s cryptic message. Who was he meeting? Gallow and Anderson? Someone else?
Backstage, we see Alberto Del Rio talking on his cell phone. Dolph Ziggler walks on screen, telling that he would like a word. Ziggler claims that he and Del Rio have a lot in common. They’re both guys with immense talent, former world champions, who still have yet to achieve their full potential. However; Ziggler calls Del Rio a bully, mainly due to his treatment of American Alpha. “We still have years in front of us, but those kids have their whole careers. Guys like us should be guiding them, not bringing them down.”
Del Rio, bewildered, says he and Ziggler have nothing in common. Ziggler was a one hit wonder, but Del Rio has been a staying force in WWE, “and I’m only just picking up steam”. To prove it, he says that he’ll meet Dolph Ziggler in the ring next week.
Elsewhere backstage, Dean Ambrose is preparing for his tag team match when Kane walks in. Kane understands what he did last week, though he wishes he hadn’t interfered in his business. Regardless, “The Big Red Machine” wants to help, and offers to be backup to Dean Ambrose. Dean nods his head, and shakes Kane’s hand.
Back in the ring, Miz and Apollo Crews are set to square off. The stakes: if Apollo Crews wins, he will face off against the Miz at SummerSlam for the Intercontinental Championship.
Match 3: Apollo Crews vs The Miz
The match begins with the two competitors grappling each other. Miz has Crews in a headlock, but breaks it when he notices Maryse isn’t watching. Miz instructs Maryse to pay attention to the superior being in the ring. Mauro points out that there may be a bit of jealousy from the Miz. Perhaps there’s trouble in paradise.
The bickering continues throughout the match, but Miz still stays in charge. Apollo is able to reverse a DDT into a sideways slam of his own, and suddenly the match changes. Crews is in control, wanting to show The Miz and the WWE Universe that he has what it takes to be Intercontinental Champion.
Apollo gets Miz back to his feet but is met by a quick jab by “The A-Lister”. The two trade punches for a few seconds, before Apollo leaps off his feet for a standing dropkick. Miz gets back up and charges towards Crews, who lifts him up and slams him down with a stifling Chariot! Miz is too close to the ropes and uses them to his advantage for a kick out. Crews tries to get Miz back in the center of the ring, but Miz kicks Crews back, bumping him into Referee Mike Chioda.
Realizing that Chioda is down, he instructs Maryse to get him his Championship. She begins to hand it to him, but hesitates. Miz begins to berate her, causing him to be unaware that Chioda is recovering from his bump. Miz yells at Maryse, who SLAPS MIZ. Chioda is up by this point and notices the blow, ringing the bell and awarding The Miz a DQ win.
Miz shockingly stares at Maryse. He can’t believe that she would attack him like that. Apollo doesn’t understand what happened, but it all becomes clear when Maryse begins to laugh, alongside the Miz. It was all a facade.
Maryse has literally handed The Miz the win by disqualification, leaving Apollo Crews left without his Championship Match. Maryse and Miz kiss in the middle of the ring as Apollo stomps back to the back.
Tyler Breeze and Fandango walk out of their “interrogation room” alongside Aiden English and Simon Gotch. Fandango thanks them for their cooperation, before they depart. “What a waste of time,” Gotch remarks as they leave.
“What do you think, Dango? Was it a waste of time?” Breeze asks his partner. “No, no, no. They pointed us in what I believe could be the right direction.” The duo walk back into their “station” and straight to their corkboard. They unpin the pictures of The Ascension that were hung up two weeks ago, before pinning them back in the same spot. “These are our new suspects.”
“You’re right! It makes so much sense that they would have done it to win the match!” Breeze exclaims. Fandango agrees, pointing out “that nothing gets by you, partner.”
Backstage, The Usos are backstage bickering amongst themselves. Jey says he’s seen the replay of how Jimmy got the win, and tells him that is not how they do things. Jimmy tells him that the tag team division is getting stronger, it's adapting, and “we need to adapt with it”.
As they argue, American Alpha approaches, not happy with how the Usos won. Gable says that The Usos have been an inspiration to them as a tag team, and they were excited to share a ring with them tonight, but are disappointed that they would stoop so low.
Jey speaks up, apologizing to American Alpha. He says he’ll make it up to them. They’ll have a match next week: The Usos vs American Alpha. “No funny business.”
David Otunga remarks how full next week’s show is already becoming, with The Usos vs American Alpha; Dolph Ziggler vs Alberto Del Rio; and the just-now-confirmed MizTV Segment featuring “disgraced WWE Superstar, Apollo Crews”.
JBL cuts him off, telling him that we’re still not finished with tonight’s show! The main event is up next!
The Wyatt Family make their creepy entrance, Bray holding his lantern and Erick Rowan clad in his sheep mask. After their entrance, Dean Ambrose marches his way to the ring. The Wyatts clear out as Dean gets in and awaits his tag partner.
As Dean waits, we cut to a video footage backstage of Kane laying face-first on the floor backstage. Medical personnel are tending to him, but it’s clear that Kane will not be able to compete tonight. Dean gets ready to face off against the Wyatts 1-on-2, when suddenly…
“I hear voices in my head”
Randy Orton is in Bakersfield and is making his way to the ring. He slides in and stares down his SummerSlam opponent, before stepping aside and taking his place as Dean’s tag team partner. Randy Orton will be Dean Ambrose tag team partner against the Wyatt Family!
Main Event: Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton vs The Wyatt Family
As it turns out, Orton is only Dean’s partner in theory. Dean starts the match off against Erick Rowan, and stubbornly refuses to tag in Orton when the chance occurs. Rowan and Wyatt are able to sub in freely, preserving their energy while Dean exerts his. Despite this, Dean still puts on a heck of a show for the California crowd. He controls a large portion of the early match, before losing possession when Bray throws Dean straight into his partner. Randy spills out to ringside as Bray hits Dean with a hard suplex. Bray climbs up to the second rope and leaps off with a flying cross body as Dean gets to his feet. Bray goes for the count but it’s broken up by Orton, maybe a little upset at Bray’s actions.
Orton drags Dean over to the corner and tags him in. Over the next few minutes, he unleashes punishment on Bray Wyatt, including a vicious scoop slam and his signature rope-DDT. Orton retreats to the corner of the ring and begins to rev up an RKO, when Dean reaches over the ropes and tags himself in. Orton gets in Dean’s face, exchanging words with the Champion. Bray charges and Orton falls to the ground, rolling out of the ring as Bray slams into Dean, sending him flying into the turnbuckle. Now is Bray’s time to take revenge for last week. He empties his arsenal out on Dean, but refuses to go for a pin. He’s not interested in ending the match just yet. As Dean lays on the mat, Bray taunts Orton. Dean recognizes this chink in his armor and attempts to roll Wyatt up. Wyatt kicks out at two. As Wyatt recovers from the attempted pin, Dean lunges towards Randy for the tag, but Randy hops off the apron, leaving Dean in the ring with “The Eater of Worlds”.
Despite his struggles, Dean is able to get back into the match. In fact, he takes control of the match back. He hits Bray with a Suplex, before charging at Rowan, knocking him off the ring apron. He climbs the ropes and leaps off, connecting Bray with a diving elbow drop. He goes for a pin, but Wyatt kicks out at two. Dean gets Wyatt back up to his feet and gets him into position for a Dirty Deeds. But Orton reenters the ring and grabs Dean away from Wyatt. Orton his Dean with an RKO and rolls out of the ring. Wyatt seals the deal with a Sister Abigail and picks up a pinfall over the WWE Champion!
The Usos def. The Ascension and American Alpha
Alexa Bliss def. Naomi
The Miz def. Apollo Crews (By DQ)
The Wyatt Family def. Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton
Match Card:
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Randy Orton - WWE Championship Match
Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns vs Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins - WWE Universal Championship Match
Alexa Bliss vs Becky Lynch vs Carmella vs Eva Marie vs Naomi vs Natalya - WWE Women's Universal Championship Match
AJ Styles vs John Cena
Rusev (c) vs ??? - United States Championship
The New Day (c) vs The Usos vs ??? - WWE Tag Team Championship Match
