Welcome to Fightful.com's live coverage & discussion for tonight's episode of WWE Raw.
We'll be bringing you full, match by match coverage of every bout on the card and you can watch along with us, sending in your feedback on our Disqus boards below!
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- We begin this week's show with Seth Rollins, making his way to the ring as we recap what took place at Super ShowDown. Back live and Rollins says that for the Universal Title, it's a new era. Though Lesnar has been around since 2002, no one has ever beaten him like that. Rollins admits that it felt good but before he could continue much further, Baron Corbin arrived. After waiting for the crowd to stop booing, Corbin said that Rollins should worry about him and after Stomping Grounds, he'll worry about Lesnar instead.
Rollins says that things didn't work out so well for Baron last Friday but Corbin blamed the referee, announcing that he'd be severely punished for his officiating. In fact, their rematch will have a special guest referee, with Corbin hand picking who fills that role. Rollins says that it won't matter, asking Corbin who he'll choose considering his lack of friends. In response, Sami Zayn made his entrance. Zayn says that he's on Team Corbin this time, telling Rollins that he's caught in a toxic cycle with Lesnar.
He goes as far as saying that everything would be better with Corbin as champion, finally having a titleholder that's not obsessed with Lesnar. Rollins says that he's not fooled, asking what's in this for Zayn. Sami suggests that if he helps Baron, he'd possibly receive something back, revealing his intentions. Seth was suddenly ready to fight, asking Zayn who has his back right now. That brought out Kevin Owens, saying that he has Sami's back and agreeing with Zayn's opinion regarding Corbin.
Owens doesn't like the way Rollins is talking to his friend, eventually accepting Rollins' challenge for a match in tonight's main event. Seth then stormed up the ramp and with steel chair in hand, walked through the trio opposite him.
Lars Sullivan vs. Lucha House Party
Sullivan jumped Lince and Metalik before the bell here, next focusing on solely Kalisto and eating some strikes for his troubles. Lars then caught Kalisto out of the air though, slamming him to the mat for an early elimination. Dorado was next, jumping Sullivan and flurrying briefly until with another counter, Sullivan scored a sit-out powerbomb for the 2nd elimination. Metalik soon fell victim the same way, being caught in mid-air and slammed to the mat only for Sullivan to halt his own pin-fall.
Lars then retrieved the already eliminated Kalisto, slamming him onto the steel steps and Penelope in the process. Seemingly content, Sullivan then returned, hitting Freak Accident on Metalik but again stopping his pin. That allowed another attack on Lince, launching him into the ring-post before finally, pinning Metalik via diving headbutt.
Winner: Lars Sullivan
- Elsewhere, R-Truth, his 24/7 Title and Carmella are on the run. A handful of the men in pursuit filled the same elevator as Truth, even breaking the thing as Carmella calmed everyone down. R-Truth was suddenly stuck alongside a handful of his contenders and understandably blamed them for this predicament as Heath Slater reminded everyone that he in fact, has kids.
- We have a sit-down interview next as Michael Cole speaks to both Becky Lynch and Lacey Evans from their seperate locker-rooms. Lynch asked Evans about tapping out at Money in the Bank, admitting that Lacey has every advantage but Becky simply can't let someone like her win. Evans refutes this, saying she knows nothing about her while Lynch reiterated Lacey that she cost her the SmackDown Women's Title. Lynch then reminded Evans of what happened last time she got angry while Lacey said that Becky is simply driven by a fear of losing it all.
Evans promises to take the title at Stomping Grounds with Lynch promised a slap instead. Tonight, Lynch will team with Bayley and they'll take on Evans and Alexa Bliss.
- Speaking of such, Bliss is talking to Nikki Cross backstage. Alexa says that a tag team pursuit was indeed the plan but SmackDown changed things. Bliss called Bayley a master manipulator, saying she knows the real person and citing their NXT past. Cross was stunned by this but after Bliss seemed briefly paused for reflection, she said that she understands how it feels to be on the outside, looking in. Cross accepts Alexa's apology and will be in her corner tonight.
- MizTV followed, with the man himself introducing tonight's guest: Samoa Joe. The US Champion disagrees with Miz's "new champion" comment, stating that he simply took back what was already his. Miz disagreed, pointing to a video recap of Joe's actions last week. The host says that Mysterio did the right thing but Joe still attacked him, asking why he involved Rey's family. Joe says that he only crosses lines that belong to others, as there's no such thing as 'too far' in his chase for whatever he wants.
Joe then got in Miz's face but as he did, Braun Strowman arrived. He says that if Joe's looking for a challenger, he should shut his mouth and get these hands. Before that can happen though, Bobby Lashley is here. He says that he's not done with Braun, referencing a history with Joe and stating his own case as Ricochet emerged. He says that he wants to use the momentum of beating Cesaro which in turn, brings out the man himself. Instead of talking, Cesaro simply punched Ricochet as a brawl commenced in center ring.
In the end there was a divide, with Strowman, Miz and Ricochet standing tall.
The Miz, Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley and Cesaro
Lashley and Strowman got this one underway, exchanging some quite dynamic counters until the latter clubbed his foe to the mat. That allowed Miz's entry, scoring some signature offense but then being halted by a Joe interference. The US Champion then came in, going to work with strikes before tagging in Cesaro. Miz wasn't isolated for long though, bringing in Ricochet who run wild on all involved, clearing the ring with spectacular offense and then hitting an incredible dive to the outside.
Back from the break though and suddenly Ricochet is floored, being worked over before a hurricanrana counter briefly gave him life. That was short-lived regardless, with Cesaro landing a heavy European Uppercut and allowing Lashley to charge Ricochet foe into the barricade. Back in-ring though, Ricochet used a kick to create space, bringing in Miz for the hot tag. He flurried big, taking out all three of his foes but then being dropped face first on the mat.
Joe then came in, nailing a Senton on Miz and forcing Strowman to break the count. Cesaro entered in response, swinging Miz while Strowman wiped out Lashley on the outside. The sharpshooter followed in-ring, with Ricochet making the save as Miz finally tagged in Strowman. He run wild with his patented shoulder tackles, then splashing Cesaro in the corner before clubbing him in center ring. Joe broke the fall though, avoiding Running Powerslam and running away with his title in hand.
Strowman planned on chasing but was Speared for his troubles, with Ricochet then diving onto Lashley as suddenly only Miz and Cesaro remained. The latter seized, catching Miz with a European Uppercut but then eating Skull Crushing Finale and Ricochet's 630 Splash for the finish.
Winners: The Miz, Braun Strowman and Ricochet
- Backstage, Charly Caruso asked Corbin who he'll special guest referee will be. Corbin says that he's looking for someone that's fair, respected and unbiased. Zayn then interrupted, asking for some privacy and receiving exactly that.
- A recap of Mansoor's battle royal win at Super ShowDown followed.
Becky Lynch and Bayley vs. Lacey Evans and Alexa Bliss
Bliss and Bayley got this one underway, with the latter running wild right away and landing a sliding clothesline for 2. Alexa blocked a suplex though, yanking Bayley's arm and tagging in Evans. She entered with an elbow drop over the top rope but was then pushed into the opposing corner, allowing Lynch's entry. She swiftly went after Evans but was cut off by a kick to the stomach as Alexa came back in. Becky flurried regardless, with her and Bayley standing tall and leaving both of their foes floored on the outside.
Back from the break though and Lynch is briefly isolated, kicking herself free but being cut off by Evans. Lacey then launched some ground and pound, slowing things down and grabbing a hold. The elevated bronco buster followed as Evans then removed Bayley from the apron too. Lynch created space anyway but Lacey halted her again, landing a swinging neckbreaker for 2. Becky avoided the follow-up moonsault though, creating space and tagging in Bayley who run wild on Bliss.
Evans broke the fall though, then scurrying from Lynch as Lacey threw Cross in Becky's direction. That halted the RAW Champion who ate Woman's Right for her troubles. That distracted Bayley and Evans then repeated the feat, hitting Woman's Right on Bayley too. The SmackDown Champion blocked Twisted Bliss though, still eating Women's Right as Lacey closed the show.
Winners: Lacey Evans and Alexa Bliss
- Elsewhere, Sami Zayn approached Shane McMahon about auditioning as a referee in tonight's main event. In fact, he can be just a 2nd referee on this occasion, simply a 2nd set of eyes on the outside. McMahon made this his own idea and a deal was made.
- Paul Heyman was here next, admitting that last week, Lesnar went against his own better judgment. Instead, he prioritized giving Seth a beat-down exactly like Rollins did this past Friday. Heyman calls Rollins a feckless thug, saying that his actions guaranteed that Lesnar continues to be Mr Money in the Bank. Brock will no longer tell Rollins when he's cashing in, now waiting for when Seth is most vulnerable, beating him down and then taking the Universal Title. That's a guarentee.
- Back to the elevator now as the group are bickering among themselves. They fought over a hat and Drake Maverick's wedding, with EC3 seemingly forgetting that he's Drake's best man.
The IIconics vs. Lisa Lace and Alia Mia
Pre-match, the champions reiterate their status as longest reigning champions, stating that they've found the toughest possible opponents for tonight. However, they'll never be them.
Kay got underway with a big boot here, with Royce entering to land her spinning wheel kick. A salvo of knees followed, with the final one closing the show as Kay held her foe in place.
Winners: The IIconics
- A video package then recapped Reigns vs. McMahon. Roman says that McIntyre handed the win to Shane tonight, promising to bounce back at Stomping Grounds.
- To the ring now as Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon arrive for their big celebration. The latter listed off Reigns' accolades, reminding everyone that Roman doesn't hold a victory over him. In fact, it's the opposite, as Reigns just couldn't beat the 'Best in the World.' Shane says that McIntyre helped him prepare, watching tape together and forming a strategy. McIntyre thanks Shane, saying that the crowd won't ruin this celebration after McMahon turned heads by beating Reigns. At Stomping Grounds though, Drew won't just beat Roman, he'll mame and assault him until he's completely unrecognisable.
McMahon would rather they celebrate tonight, pouring champagne in the World Cup trophy and drinking away gleefully. Shane then introduced The Revival, two individuals that could join their party tonight. McMahon stops them from drinking, promising them an invitation to tonight's party if they win.
RAW Tag Team Titles
The Revival vs. The Usos vs. Hawkins and Ryder (C)
Pre-match, Ryder said that they are still here for a reason, overcoming a lot on their way to becoming champions. Hawkins says they may be a Cinderella Story but it's not midnight yet.
Ryder and Dawson got this one underway, with The Revival immediately taking control only for Ryder to fight both off at once. Jey Uso then entered, helping Ryder clear the ring and then going head to head wiht the champion too. Ryder got the better of things, bringing in Hawkins for some tandem offense. Dawson soon halted that though, cutting off both and regaining control in an instant. Back from the break and The Revival briefly had Hawkins under control, with the champion eventually countering as Jimmy tagged himself in.
He run wild, hitting a big dive out to the floor and then flurrying on Dawson in center ring. Hawkins then tagged himself back in though, stunning Jimmy and scoring some tandem offense for 2. A quick tag then brought Jey in, landing Superkicks on all involved and heading up top. As he hit the big splash off the top though, Dawson tagged in, stealing the pin as Dash pulled Jimmy away.
Winners and NEW Champions: The Revival
- Backstage, Seth Rollins tells Charly Caruso that if he's proven anything, it's that he's ready for anything. That's no different tonight either.
- Meanwhile in the elevator, Maverick continued to panic, worrying about his marriage as everyone suddenly seemed to be getting along. In the meantime, the others waited outside, seizing as the doors opened with a melee breaking out over Truth. He avoided being pinned though and was then dragged back into the elevator by Carmella.
- Back to the Firefly Funhouse next, with Bray doing some handy-work as Mercy the Buzzard looked to eat the Ramblin' Rabbit. This disappointed Bray, giving the floor to the rabbit as he threatened to expose what's really going on in the funhouse. Wyatt mutes him, asking why he'd do something like that and then throwing him to the floor and murdering him a hammer. Bray then licked the rabbit's blood, transitioning to their sponsor: Ramblin' Rabbit's Bohemian Breakfast Spread. Once again, you simply have to let him in.
Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens
Special 2nd referee Sami Zayn is here, checking both men before taking his place at ringside. Nonetheless, Rollins went to work as the bell rung, wrestling himself into control only for Zayn to distract the referee in the midst of a pin attempt. That frustrated Seth, allowing Owens to seize until a flurry of right hands reset things once more. Owens soon turned the tide anyway, coming behind Zayn and cutting Rollins off with a DDT on the outside.
Back from the break and Owens remains in control, landing a backbreaker and focusing on Rollins' injured mid-section. He eventually run into Slingblade but then halted Rollins again, landing a knee to the stomach only for his Swanton Bomb to be blocked. A wild exchange then commenced, trading strikes as both men were suddenly floored. Rollins landed last though, then heading up top while Sami Zayn entered in order to check on Owens.
That distraction almost allowed Owens to score the roll-up win but Rollins retaliated, nailing his big dive to the floor and hitting Zayn in the process. The Stomp followed but Zayn yanked the referee out of the ring, demanding a DQ and enraging Rollins as a result. He snatched Sami, simply grabbing his shirt and causing a disqualification along the way.
Winner: Kevin Owens via Disqualifcation
Post-match, Rollins went after Zayn but Corbin made the save, battering his foe and retrieving a chair. Rollins cut him off though and took the chair, forcing Corbin to scurry as he unleashed on Zayn instead. Finally, Rollins sent one last message, hitting The Stomp and staring a hole through Corbin.
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