Hero No More.
Thirteen nights before Extreme Rules, the 1091st edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD. After taking last week off to enjoy his honeymoon with his new bride, Brie Bella, Daniel Bryan would return to RAW as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion would make his first appearance since he and The Shield ignited the eventual reforming of Evolution. However, the reunited Evolution will likely be the least of the champion’s problems as, at the coaxing of Stephanie McMahon last week, Director of Operations Kane has put his mask back on, transforming himself back into the remorseless and unstoppable “Big Red Monster” and the destructive Kane has vowed to “eviscerate” Daniel Bryan on RAW. If Kane’s vicious assault on Big Show after WWE Main Event went off the air last Tuesday night was any indication, then the WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be in for a very long and painful night.
The tournament to crown a new #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title would continue on RAW as the two Semi-Final matchups would see “The King of Swing” Cesaro squaring off with “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam for the first time ever, as well as Sheamus going one-on-one with Bad News Barrett with the winners of those two matches advancing to the Finals on next week’s RAW, which will determine who will challenge Big E for the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules.
Match Results
- #1 Contender’s Tournament: Semi-Finals: Bad News Barrett def. Sheamus by pin following the Bull Hammer Elbow to advance to the Finals.
- 6-Man Tag: El Torito & Los Matadores def. Hornswoggle, Jinder Mahal, & Drew McIntyre (with Heath Slater) by El Torito pinning Drew McIntyre following an assisted seated senton.
- Non-Title: The Usos def. Goldust & Cody Rhodes by Uso pinning Cody Rhodes following a super kick.
- Emma (with Santino Marella) def. Layla (with Fandango) by pin following the Cobra Strike.
- #1 Contender’s Tournament: Semi-Finals: Rob Van Dam (with Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter) def. Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) by count-out to advance to the Finals.
- Non-Title: Paige def. Aksana by submission to the Scorpion Crosslock.
- Alexander Rusev (with Lana) def. Sin Cara by submission to the Accolade.
- 3-on-1 Handicap Match: John Cena def. The Wyatt Family by DQ after Luke Harper & Erick Rowan attack John Cena.
Match Results
With his new bride, Brie Bella, already in the ring, RAW would kick off with the return of the WWE World Heavyweight Champion as Daniel Bryan would join his newlywed wife in the ring. However, before either Bryan or Brie could speak, they were interrupted by the arrival of WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon. The suspiciously happy Stephanie McMahon says that, since the WWE is a “family”, they wanted to get Daniel Bryan a “wedding present”. Stephanie then informs Daniel Bryan that he will be defending the WWE World Heavyweight Title at Extreme Rules against “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” Kane! Stephanie reminds the champion of Kane’s intentions to “eviscerate” Daniel Bryan, advising that Bryan get his “pretty little wife” out of the way. Kane’s pyro and music then go off, but Stephanie says that now is not the time or the place. Meanwhile, Daniel Bryan heeds the advice of Stephanie and gets Brie Bella out of the ring as Bryan stands on the outside with Brie, standing guard for his new wife. However, a scream from Brie alerts Daniel Bryan to the presence of Kane behind them and the champion turns right into the waiting grasp of Kane as Brie stumbles backwards onto the floor. With Kane’s hand around Daniel Bryan’s throat, Stephanie actually tries to call of the monster, ordering Kane to let Bryan go, but Daniel Bryan tries to fight back. An uppercut from Kane takes the champion down before the demonic monster sets his sights on Brie Bella, but Daniel Bryan charges at Kane. As Stephanie yells at Brie to run for it, Bryan tries to jump Kane, but “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” would continue his assault. Even with his boss, Stephanie, screaming at Kane that it is “enough”, Kane punctuates the assault with a hellacious Tombstone Piledriver on the arena floor!
Refusing to listen to Stephanie, Kane takes apart the steel steps, dragging Daniel Bryan to the bottom half of the steps and spiking the champion skull-first into the steel. This heinous act sends Stephanie into hysterics as the Principal Owner calls for WWE’s ringside physician, who calls for referees and medical personnel to assist the fallen champion. EMT’s and WWE officials place a cervical collar on Daniel Bryan, trying to fasten Bryan to the stretcher, but Kane comes back, shoving doctors and officials out of the way before turning the unconscious Bryan off of the stretcher. Kane then rips the protective collar off of Bryan before dragging him near the announce table. “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” then dismantles the announce table, tossing chairs around the ringside area before rolling the helpless Daniel Bryan onto the announce table. Then, with everyone, including Stephanie McMahon, watching helplessly, Kane spikes Daniel Bryan with a third Tombstone Piledriver, this time driving the champion’s skull straight down on top of the announce table with the table not budging or giving at all. As Kane stares at his destruction of Daniel Bryan, Stephanie calls Kane a “bastard” and Kane finally walks away, allowing doctors and EMT’s to finally tend to Daniel Bryan as medical personnel again put a protective collar around Daniel Bryan’s neck, strapping the champion onto a backboard. The medical personnel then loads Daniel Bryan onto a stretcher, securing Bryan to the stretcher as Bryan’s frightened and worried wife, Brie Bella, escorts her new husband to the back and, presumably, to a local hospital. Back in the ring, Stephanie McMahon is holding both of Daniel Bryan’s title belts, asking the fans to give a “round of applause” for Daniel Bryan.
The first of two Semi-Final matches in the tournament to crown a new #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title would be the opening match of the night as “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus would go one-on-one with Bad News Barrett. At the end of a hard-hitting match, it was Bad News Barrett catching an unsuspecting Sheamus with the Bull Hammer Elbow, pinning Sheamus to pick up the win and advance to the Finals of the tournament to face either Cesaro or Rob Van Dam on next week’s RAW.
On a night where John Cena will face them in either a one-on-one match, a 2-on-1 Handicap Match, or a 3-on-1 Handicap Match, depending on the votes of the fans, The Wyatt Family would appear on RAW. Bray Wyatt says that “free will” has become mankind’s biggest “illusion”, saying that they have become a nation of “mindless sheep” being led by “wolves” and owned by “pigs”. Bray says that tonight would be a wonderful night for “change”, saying that, tonight, free will does exist and they will choose the path of their “hero”, John Cena. Bray asks if the fans will choose of the path of “less pain” for Cena or if Cena learns the “truth” tonight. Bray continues, saying that they stand “against” Cena and, at Extreme Rules, two “monsters” will enter, but one thing will remain the same because the fans do not love Cena anymore. Bray says that he has been taking more and more of the fans away from John Cena, leading the crowd in singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”.
The ridiculous mascot rivalry would continue on RAW as Hornswoggle would team up with 3MB’s Jinder Mahal & Drew McIntyre, with Heath Slater in their corner, to face El Torito and Los Matadores in a 6-Man Tag match. In the end, it was Los Matadores holding Drew McIntyre up for El Torito as the miniature bull launches himself off of the top rope with a seated senton on McIntyre, pinning McIntyre for the win.
For the first time since their shocking reformation last week when they dismantled The Shield, WWE COO Triple H would lead “The Animal” Batista and “The Viper” Randy Orton to the ring as Evolution arrives on RAW. Triple H says that imagine telling the whole world that you are the “baddest men on the planet”, but then you get “humiliated” and that is just the “beginning”. Randy Orton then says that The Shield set in place the reformation of the most “dominant” group on history, Evolution. Orton then shows a video package illustrating the dominance of Evolution. Batista then says that there are 31 World Title reigns between them and The Shield has “no idea” what they have gotten themselves into. However, a big fight feel was on the horizon with the arrival of The Shield as Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns make their way to the ring. The arrival of The Shield makes Evolution exit the ring as they back up the ramp. Dean Ambrose then picks up the microphone, saying that they have been beaten down before asking Triple H is they look “humble” now. Ambrose continues, saying that there was a reason that the COO hired them to protect Triple H and that “cream puff” Randy Orton and that is because that they are the most “ruthless animals” in the WWE. Seth Rollins says that they are the ones who started the fight, saying that Evolution talks about how they were “built for dominance”, but they were not. Rollins then vows that it will be an “all-out war” at Extreme Rules, saying that Orton, Batista, & Triple H will all be out to protect themselves. Rollins continues, saying that they are going to rip Evolution to “pieces” and they have no one to blame but themselves because they put the nail in their own coffin. Roman Reigns says that they are giving Evolution an “ultimatum”, saying that they are going to come up there looking for a fight and Evolution will have two options. Reigns says that they can either be men and “try to fight” or they can be “cream puffs” and run away and hide. Once The Shield makes their way towards Evolution, the source of Evolution’s confidence becomes clear as Triple H, Batista, & Randy Orton are joined by a host of Superstars, most of which were a part of the 11-on-3 Handicap Match organized by Triple H last week. With Evolution backed by Alexander Rusev, Alberto Del Rio, Bad News Barrett, Jack Swagger, Damien Sandow, Fandango, Ryback, Curtis Axel, & Titus O’Neil, The Shield halts their attack. Triple H then tells The Shield that there is always an “option three”, telling The Shield that you either “adapt” or “perish” and that is Evolution.
With Rybaxel guests on commentary, the WWE Tag Team Champions were in action on RAW as The Usos would face Goldust & Cody Rhodes in a non-title match. In the end, it was one of The Usos blasting Cody Rhodes with a super kick, pinning Cody for the win. After the match, a frustrated Cody Rhodes would shove Goldust before storming out of the ring. Meanwhile, in the ring, Rybaxel jump The Usos, attacking the WWE Tag Team Champions, isolating one of The Usos as Ryback hits Shell Shocked on one-half of the tag champions.
In Divas action, Emma, with Santino Marella in her corner, would face Layla, with Fandango in her corner. In the end, it was Emma using her own cobra to put Layla down, pinning Layla for the win.
Then it was time for the second Semi-Final match in the tournament to crown a new #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title as “The King of Swing” Cesaro, with Paul Heyman in his corner, would go one-on-one with “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam. During the match, Cesaro has Rob Van Dam set up for the Cesaro Swing, but the arrival of Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter would distract Cesaro long enough for RVD to take advantage, kicking Cesaro out of the ring. On the outside, there would be a stand-off between the former tag team partners, but the stand-off would be broken up by RVD, who dives to the outside. However, Cesaro would catch RVD on the way down with a European Uppercut. Paul Heyman then gets in Zeb Colter’s face as the two managers argue and Cesaro rolls RVD into the ring, but the second that the referee’s back is turned, Swagger picks his spot as Swagger sends Cesaro shoulder-first into the steel ring post! Cesaro would then struggle to get back into the ring in time, but the referee would complete his ten-count and RVD would win the match via count-out, advancing to the Finals of the tournament to face Bad News Barrett on next week’s RAW. After the match, Jack Swagger would look to continue the assault on Cesaro, but “The King of Swing” would fight back, tossing Swagger to the outside. Cesaro then gets his hands on Zeb Colter, but before Cesaro could use the Cesaro Swing against his former manager, Swagger hits the ring. While “The Real American” saved Colter, Swagger would find himself caught in the dizzying Cesaro Swing as “The King of Swing” lives up to his moniker, swinging Swagger around in circles.
Backstage, Cesaro & Paul Heyman crash an interview with Rob Van Dam as Cesaro tells RVD that there is no way that RVD could beat Cesaro on his own. Heyman says that the RVD that he knows would not take such a “tainted victory”. Not taking the bait, Rob Van Dam tells Heyman that his conscious is clear before advising Cesaro that, if Cesaro wants to make it in the WWE, then Cesaro should keep his “wallet, house, and future” as far away from Heyman as possible.
In a rematch from SmackDown, the Divas Champion was in action on RAW as Paige would go one-on-one with Aksana in a non-title match. In the end, it was Paige locking in the Scorpion Crosslock on Aksana, forcing Aksana to tap out to pick up the win.
“The Super Athlete” was in action on RAW as Alexander Rusev, with Lana in his corner, would go one-on-one with Sin Cara. In the end, it was Alexander Rusev locking in the Accolade on Sin Cara, forcing Sin Cara to tap out.
Then it was time for the fans to decide the fate of John Cena as Cena would face Luke Harper, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, or all three members of The Wyatt Family, depending on the votes of the fans. The voting then reveals that the fans voted for Cena to face all three members of The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, & Erick Rowan, in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match! Despite being dominated through most of the match, John Cena would battle back and would manage to hit the Attitude Adjustment on Bray Wyatt. However, Luke Harper would break up the pin and a mugging would ensue, leaving the referee no choice but to call for the bell. After the match, Erick Rowan would hit a splash in the corner before Luke Harper blasts Cena with a bit boot to the face. Harper & Rowan then feed Cena to Bray Wyatt, who hits the Sister Abigail on John Cena. Bray then sits next to the unconscious Cena, again singing “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands” and laughing maniacally while he holds the head of John Cena.
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