The show starts with highlights from last week's Heat for wins from Gunther's big upset against Alberto Del Rio, and Rubi Riot beating Mia Yim. But now we got another episode for the fans right before Raw!
Ortiz & Santana vs. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford
Dawkins and Ford represent the Street Profits from NXT but they have an impressive feature against Ortiz and Santana, yet fall short as Montez Ford falls victim to the Street Sweeper.
Prior to tonight, Charly Caruso interviews Murphy. Murphy informs everyone he got to the arena tonight and isn't on the card, so suggests he's freed up to be in attendance for Elias' Bourbon Street Special performance.
A "Raw Rebound" airs of the United States Championship match where Finn Balor overcame Bobby Lashley! While Heyman and Riccaboni confirm Jordan Devlin's injury, Balor is expected to address the audience at the top of Monday Night Raw.
Also advertised for Raw tonight is Asuka versus Paige, The Miz versus Carlito, and more!
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Wardlow
Wardlow shows outstanding power, but was caught a couple times by a savvy veteran like Nakamura before Nakamura hits the Kinshasa out of nowhere to put Wardlow down.
Paul Heyman makes note that Wardlow has all the physical tools to be a top dog in this business, but he needs the experience and the right leadership might accelerate his growth. Ian says adios and we advertise the United States Champion Finn Balor to kick off Monday Night Raw over on USA... next!
Monday Night Raw #1320
September 10, 2018
New Orleans, Louisiana
After a replay of Finn Balor winning the United States Championship last week from Bobby Lashley, Balor comes to the ring and confirms Devlin tore his ACL last week on Heat and will be out of action for quite some time. Balor says in Devlin's honor, he will be a fighting champion. Dolph Ziggler comes out and congratulates Balor, but if he wants to be a fighting champion, consider him his first challenger. Balor accepts before JBL heads out. JBL reminds Balor and Ziggler they aren't the decision-makers on Monday. But if Ziggler wants to wrestle so badly, he can wrestle this man... and JBL introduces Brodie! Ziggler is still dressed in street clothes, but Brodie is ready to compete and JBL sends a ref down. Balor's hands are tied but he can't do much.
Brodie vs. Dolph Ziggler
Finn Balor stays at the commentary table, insisting he wants to be a fighting champion but JBL was making it difficult. Dolph was valiant, but this was a more accurate and powerful Brodie. Finn's commentary trip only lasted 6 minutes before Brodie turned it up a notch and finished Dolph with a Discus Big Boot!
Afterwards, Brodie stares down Finn Balor as if to send a warning to the United States Champion. Paul Heyman mentions Brodie is a new man and he should be taken very seriously.
Michael Cole and Paul Heyman show what else is scheduled to take place tonight:
* Carlito's Cabana vs. MizTV with the rights to host the newest Raw acquisition from the blue brand
* Kofi Kingston wrestles Judas in 1-on-1 action
* Asuka in a non-title match versus WWE Women's Champion Paige
* Elias promises a "Bourbon Street Special" performance, after refusing to perform tonight in Columbus
Chris Jericho's shown arriving earlier tonight when Shelton Benjamin stops him in the parking lot, conceding defeat and shaking Jericho's hand after their match last week. Jericho appreciates the respect and goes on into the arena, but Benjamin is shown with a facial expression changing from his smile to Jericho.
Paige vs. Asuka in a non-title match
This match got just moments into it before Mickie James decides to get involved, taking Asuka out to have a staredown with the Women's Champion. Then Becky Lynch takes exception to Mickie not staying in line, comes out and attacks her. After we take a commercial break to resolve the mayhem, we learn this has turned into a tag team match... but with an interesting pairing.
Becky Lynch & Paige vs. Asuka & Mickie James
JBL believed it would be amusing to have Mickie James team up with the person she attacked originally, Asuka, while the #1 contender and the Women's Champion teaming together. There's no trust amongst the tag teams, and once Mickie slaps Asuka into the match, Asuka takes exception and attacks Mickie James. Becky then tries to stop Asuka, but Asuka turns her attention to Becky, which means Paige comes to the rescue before she accidentally clotheslines Becky. Then all the tag team partners are attacking one another, while the official doesn't know what to do before Paige lays Becky out with a Paige Turner, but Mickie James rushes in, throws Paige out, and pins Becky Lynch!
Mickie runs away after pinning the #1 contender for the Women's Championship! This was a strange turn of events, but Heyman makes the point the dissension between Becky and Paige means this could give Mickie James a reason to insert herself into a title opportunity soon.
WWE Champion Kevin Owens is shown heading to the ring right now flanked by security! After the break, Owens completes the entrance and shares he's hired this personal security since JBL wouldn't give it to him. Owens says he had to get financial backing because this is high-dollar security to keep Baron Corbin away from him. Owens calls his enemy "Baron Carbon" because he's a "carbon copy" of every WWE superstar, but prides himself for fighting his way up the ranks in the independents. The motorcycle revs up and Corbin comes out and stays at the stage on his bike. Corbin gets a microphone and asks if he fought his way up in the independents, why he needs this "high-dollar security" instead of just fighting. Corbin said "Fight Owens Fight" and it's time he does. Corbin tosses the microphone away and revs up the motorcycle. Corbin rides down the ringside area and as he makes his way around, security guards jump in the ring forming a Kevin Owens bubble. Corbin gets off the bike and slides in, taking the security guards down one by one. Corbin then has one more security guard blocking Owens in the corner, but Owens shoves the guard into an End of Days as Kevin Owens uses this to squirm through the crowd. Corbin didn't get his hands on Owens yet, but the security Owens paid for is all laid out.
Lana and Rusev are standing outside JBL's office ready to approach the Raw General Manager about Rusev getting an opportunity at the United States Championship, but right as Lana opens the door, JBL storms out saying he has no time right now, citing what just happened in the ring. Rusev is frustrated and tells Lana she better help him get the next opportunity at the title.
Elias Samson is warming up his vocal cords with his accomplice Scarlett, preparing for their Bourbon Street Special here tonight.
Charly Caruso asks Kofi Kingston at the curtain about his partners, The New Day. Kofi said after last week, he knows Xavier Woods and Big E are banged up. Kofi says he's about to go out there alone and wants Judas to come out alone!
Judas vs. Kofi Kingston
Kofi walked to the ring by himself, but Judas did not. Judas was led by The Fallen and after the bell rang, Viktor called Aleister Black and Damian Priest away, allowing Judas to be by himself. Instead, Viktor stayed at commentary towards the stage while Black and Priest headed to the back. Viktor told Heyman and Cole this is their plan, and claims The New Day will fall at the hands of The Fallen. Kofi had a valiant effort, but it's a sit-out chokeslam for Judas that gives him the victory.
As Judas lurks over his prey, Damian Priest and Aleister Black re-emerge from the back, led by Viktor. The Fallen stand before Viktor picks up Kofi's third of the WWE Trios Championships and raises it high, showing their full intentions.
Kevin Owens has his bags packed, ready to leave, but JBL stops him. Owens says he's fulfilled his obligation, but JBL says Owens is in the main event. After not being told, Owens pitches a fit but JBL confirms Kevin Owens will be in the main event against United States Champion Finn Balor, but now he's adding an extra stipulation: the loser must defend their championship next week. If Balor loses, he'll defend against Brodie. If Owens loses, he'll defend against Baron Corbin. Owens absolutely flips his lid and storms back towards the locker room.
Michael Cole directs their attention to Elias Samson on the streets of New Orleans, ready for a live performance. With Scarlett by his side and a crowd around him, Elias performs a song about being smitten with "seeing red." A clear nod to Scarlett, Elias then goes from performing about the apple of his eye, to the bad apple, Murphy. Elias assures the crowd he'll punch Murphy straight in the mouth the next time he sees him. A couple lines in, Murphy steps up behind Elias. Elias notices the crowd change, and after a finger poke on the shoulder, Elias is frozen at the sight of his arch nemesis and Murphy throws the first punch. Murphy tosses Elias around all the streets of New Orleans, almost throws him into ongoing traffic, as Scarlett screams helplessly for Murphy to stop. Murphy directs his attention to Scarlett, and this slight distraction allows Elias to shove Murphy into a brick building and start punching him down. Elias leaves with Scarlett and Elias tells Murphy this is over next week. Elias says since Murphy wants to fight him on the streets of New Orleans, they'll have a street fight!
Michael Cole and Paul Heyman can't believe Elias was the one to throw the gauntlet down for next week: a Great State of Texas Street Fight! But we segway backstage first.
Rusev is venting to Lana about Brodie jumping the line for the United States Championship. Lana promises she'll go talk to JBL and hopefully she can persuade the GM to give Rusev an opportunity next week, maybe even for the WWE Championship.
A replay occurs from last week's Raw to show how we got here: Carlito's return match against The Miz. The winner? Gets to announce the newest Raw acquisition from SmackDown on their set. This is dubbed a "Carlito's Cabana vs. MizTV" match.
Carlito vs. The Miz
Carlito didn't look rusty at all. Carlito was on a roll and seemed to be in better shape than when he was last seen in June. Carlito grabbed the apple from the corner and was going to chew, but the official deemed the apple illegal, so the official convinced Carlito to hand him the apple, so as the official takes the apple to the corner, The Miz kicks Carlito below the belt, turns him around for the Skull Crushing Finale and steals the victory!
The Miz over-celebrates the win, excited to announce Raw's acquisition next week, even if by any means necessary.
Charly Caruso asks Finn Balor about beating Bobby Lashley last week and his first week as United States Champion. Balor recognizes he's not from America, but he's been provided great opportunity since coming to America, which he believes this championship will provide the same opportunity to him moving forward. When asked about tonight's main event against Kevin Owens, Finn Balor says the opportunities are already here with a chance to pin the WWE Champion. Balor understands if he wins, Baron Corbin is next in line for the WWE Championship, but after next week's title opportunity for Corbin, Balor believes he should be next in line to become a 2-time world champion. Charly brings up if Balor loses, he'll have to defend his United States Championship next week against Brodie, when Balor says that's a real possibility, but he's not walking into tonight's main event with a losing mentality.
Chris Jericho heads to the ring after the break and says he caught the end of Finn Balor's interview, he's followed everything to happen tonight surrounding the next contender for the WWE Championship, potentially Baron Corbin. Jericho says he didn't come back as a 6-time world champion to take a backseat to anyone on Raw. Jericho's interrupted by... Cody Rhodes? Cody and Jericho stare off for the first time and Cody shares his admiration for Jericho, but when it comes to the WWE Championship, he was seconds away from being declared the WWE Champion at SummerSlam's Championship Scramble Match. Cody informs Jericho if anyone is going for the WWE Champion next, it's someone who has never reached the mountaintop. That's why Shelton Benjamin comes out, to say Jericho's been to the top, Cody's had his chances, but Shelton Benjamin has never had his opportunity. Jericho laughed and sarcastically asked who won their match last week. The three start bickering before JBL comes out to the stage telling them to knock it off! JBL says Shelton Benjamin has no claim for a title match, but will place Cody Rhodes versus Chris Jericho in a #1 contender's match next week!
As Shelton Benjamin is pissed and leaves Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho in a staredown, JBL transitions past gorilla and Lana is there to confront him. Lana shares if Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho are competing to challenge the WWE Champion after next week, she wants her Rusev to be added to this match. JBL laughs and tells Lana that Rusev isn't WWE Championship material, but he could be. JBL advises Lana if she wants her husband to take the next level, go watch Brodie's match from earlier tonight and the transition he's made.
Another side of backstage, The Miz gloats to Charly Caruso about MizTV next week where he tells EVERYONE who the newest acquisition to MizTV is!
Michael Cole and Paul Heyman can't pinpoint who the new Raw acquisition is in that trade involving The Usos going to SmackDown. The Miz moved over to Raw, but who else is joining him? They then share more about next week:
- Chris Jericho vs. Cody Rhodes (#1 Contender's Match for the WWE Championship)
- MizTV for the newest Raw acquisition
- Elias vs. Murphy in a Great State of Texas Street Fight
- EITHER Finn Balor defending the United States Championship against Brodie... OR... Kevin Owens vs. Baron Corbin for the WWE Championship
What title match we get depends solely on the result of the main event right now!
Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens in a non-title Champion vs. Champion Match
This match does NOT disappoint! Balor and Owens go nearly 30 minutes back and forth, fighting to not defend their championship next week. You can see Baron Corbin and Brodie watching at different locations in the arena to see if they'll get a title opportunity. Balor gets on a roll and gets the Slingblade, a corner dropkick, and goes up top for the Coup de Grace, but Brodie appears on the ramp, grabbing Finn's attention. This gives Owens enough time to knock Balor off balance and hit a twisting superplex! As the two are on the mat, Brodie steps closer to the ring before the motorcycle revs. Brodie sees Baron Corbin on his motorcycle and immediately hops over the barricade. Corbin parks at the corner and is about to chase Brodie, but sees Owens setting up for the Popup Powerbomb in the ring. Corbin gets on the apron and locks eyes with Owens. JBL sends security down to get Corbin off the mat. The official's distracted enough for Owens to uses Finn's United States Championship off his skull! Owens gets rid of the evidence and Corbin doesn't notice until it's too late, Owens pins Balor!
Corbin begins pitching a fit at the top of the stage as JBL gets out of dodge, the same with Kevin Owens. Meanwhile, it's official: next week Finn Balor has his first title defense against Brodie as Raw goes off air tonight.
Upcoming Schedule:
9/17: Monday Night Raw in Dallas, TX
9/24: Monday Night Raw in Denver, CO
10/1: Monday Night Raw in Seattle, WA
10/8: Monday Night Raw in Rosemont, IL
10/15: Monday Night Raw in Philadelphia, PA
10/21: Rage in the Cage (Raw exclusive PPV) in Boston, MA
10/22: Monday Night Raw in Providence, RI
