The Champ is Near?
Thirteen nights before WWE Money-in-the-Bank, the 1099th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. With Money-in-the-Bank coming up a week from Sunday, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match is shaping up to feature quite the interesting line-up as, with a major assist from Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt defeated Dean Ambrose on SmackDown to qualify for the title match, joining Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, Sheamus, & Cesaro as contenders for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship. With two spots left in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match, who else will join the ranks of the seven-man ladder match for WWE’s top prize?
Also on RAW, the star of the upcoming movie, “Think Like A Man Too”, comedian and actor Kevin Hart, will make a special appearance on RAW as the RAW Guest Star. What will the accomplished comedian have in store for WWE?
Match Results
- Seth Rollins def. Dolph Ziggler by DQ after Dean Ambrose interferes.
- Non-Title: Bad News Barrett (with Seth Rollins) def. Dean Ambrose by count-out.
- Non-Title: Sheamus (with The Usos) def. Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan) by DQ after Luke Harper & Erick Rowan interfere.
- Rusev (with Lana) def. Heath Slater by submission to the Accolade.
- Mixed Tag Match: Adam Rose & Summer Rae def. Fandango & Layla by Adam Rose pinning Fandango following the Party Foul.
- Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Battle Royal: Roman Reigns def. Rusev, Bo Dallas, Big E, Bad News Barrett, Rob Van Dam, Curtis Axel, Ryback, Fandango, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Sin Cara, Titus O’Neil, Xavier Woods, Los Matadores, Santino Marella, & Damien Sandow to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank.
- Non-Title: Paige def. Cameron (with Naomi) by submission to the PTO.
- Stardust & Goldust def. RybAxel by Stardust pinning Curtis Axel following a modified reverse DDT.
- Final Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Match: Stretcher Match: John Cena (with Dean Ambrose) def. Kane (with Seth Rollins & Randy Orton) to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank.
Detailed Results
RAW kicks off with an unusual sight as the stage is lined with several WWE Superstars and Divas as the likes of John Cena, Seth Rollins, Rob Van Dam, Bad News Barrett, Sheamus, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, The Usos, Lana, Rusev, RybAxel, Dolph Ziggler, Big E, Cesaro, Goldust, and Kofi Kingston, among others, stand on the stage as they await the arrival of The Authority. With promises of a “critical announcement”, WWE COO Triple H & WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon part the sea of Superstars as they make their way to the ring, where the WWE World Heavyweight Title belts hang high above the ring. Stephanie addresses the roster on the stage, saying that she wants them to know that they “care”, saying she understands how upset they are that WWE does not have a WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H says that Superstars put it on the line every night of the year to try and earn the right to be called the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Stephanie says that being the champion means you are “immortalized”, gesturing to her husband as she calls Triple H the “greatest Superstar of all-time” and he is a thirteen-time World Champion. Stephanie continues, saying that WWE is only as “strong” as its WWE World Heavyweight Champion, which is why it is so “disheartening” that they have all been represented by a “B+ player” like Daniel Bryan. Triple H then says that Daniel Bryan has “no heart” and Bryan’s selfishness brought about his refusal to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Title, to give all of them a shot at the title. Triple H continues, saying that the fans “deserve better” before saying that one of the Superstars on the stage may very well be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Stephanie then says that they are all about “opportunity” and, tonight, all of the Superstars on the stage will compete in a battle royal to decide who will join Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, & Bray Wyatt in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank! Triple H then adds that not all of them will be in the battle royal because some Superstars have “failed to evolve” and they have failed to listen to The Authority. Triple H then reveals that Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and John Cena will not be allowed to compete in the battle royal! Triple H says that he knows that John Cena loves to “help” people before saying that Cena can help them. Triple H explains that, a few weeks ago, Stephanie announced that Daniel Bryan would be competing in a certain type of match at Money-in-the-Bank, but due to Daniel Bryan’s injury, the match was called off. Triple H continues, saying that everyone knows how much they “hate to lie” before announcing that John Cena will get his chance to compete in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match, but only if he can defeat “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” Kane in a Stretcher Match! As the stage full of Superstars exit to the back, an ambulance backs into the arena and two EMT’s unload a stretcher in preparation for the Stretcher Match.
In their budding rivalry, the man who turned his back on Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns two weeks ago, Seth Rollins, would go one-on-one with Cleveland’s own Dolph Ziggler in the opening match of the night. In the end, Seth Rollins would hit the Curb Stomp on Dolph Ziggler, but Dean Ambrose would rush the ring, attacking Seth Rollins. However, Rollins would make a quick escape and Dean Ambrose would tell Rollins that it will not be over between them until he gets his hands on Rollins. Ambrose then tells Rollins to come down there and fight him like a man, but WWE COO Triple H would appear on the Tron, saying that Dean Ambrose likes to “fight” before saying that he’s got some “bad news” for Ambrose, bringing out Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett.
In an impromptu match made by WWE COO Triple H, Dean Ambrose would go one-on-one with Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett in a non-title match on RAW. During the match, Seth Rollins would climb on top of the announce table and Dean Ambrose would again take the bait, pummeling Rollins through the crowd, costing Ambrose the match via count-out. After the match, the unpredictable Dean Ambrose would blast Bad News Barrett from behind, laying the Intercontinental Champion out with Dirty Deeds!
Backstage, Roman Reigns confronts SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, asking the GM to put in a good word for him for the battle royal. The GM says that The Authority does not want Reigns in the battle royal. Reigns says that it doesn’t matter what The Authority wants and, if The Authority had it their way, then Vickie would be running coffee to them for the rest of her career and that is no way to treat a “beautiful woman”. Reigns continues, saying that Vickie is also a Guerrero and that means something, but says that he might be wrong, that Vickie may be best served to be The Authority’s lackey for the rest of his career. Roman then says that, if Vickie is going to continue to serve The Authority, then she needs to do it right, telling the GM that The Authority would want sweetener in their coffee. Vickie then leaves the drinks with Roman Reigns as she runs to get some sweetener and Roman’s plan becomes apparent as Roman puts something in the drinks just before Vickie comes back. Vickie then picks up the coffees and Roman asks Vickie how long before she tells The Authority to take her job and “shove it” and Vickie responds by sneezing on the drinks before shrugging her shoulders and walking away.
Before going one-on-one with Sheamus, Bray Wyatt appears on RAW with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan by his side. Bray says that “power” will be the downfall of all mankind and power is “influence”. Bray then points at the WWE World Heavyweight Title belts hanging above the ring, saying that the belts represent all the power he could ever need. Bray then tells the fans to look at Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, saying that they are viewed as “outcasts”, but at Money-in-the-Bank, his “brothers” are going to “destroy” The Usos and take every bit of “power” that they have. Bray continues, saying that, at Money-in-the-Bank, he will stand on top of the ladder and he will “change the world” because hanging above the ring is his “glory” and it is the “change” that they have all been “praying for”. Bray then says that, once he reaches up and grabs the WWE World Heavyweight Title belts, he will truly have the “whole world” in his hands.
Before they join five other Superstars in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank a week from Sunday, Bray Wyatt, with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan in his corner, would go one-on-one with United States Champion Sheamus in a non-title match. During the match, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan would have a stand-off with Sheamus and this would bring out The Usos, who would provide back up for Sheamus from their Money-in-the-Bank opponents. Later in the match, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan would pull Sheamus out of the ring, ending the match via disqualification. The Usos then make the save, attacking Luke Harper & Erick Rowan before Sheamus lays Bray Wyatt out on the outside of the ring. Then, with Sheamus holding a ladder in place, The Usos would run up the ladder, diving to the outside to take out Harper & Rowan! Sheamus then tosses the ladder at Harper & Rowan, taking the team out a second time!
Backstage, Vickie Guerrero tries to hand The Authority their drinks and, while Stephanie takes hers, Triple H accidentally knocks his out of Vickie’s hands and it spills all over the GM. Outraged, the COO orders Vickie to go and get him another coffee as Stephanie drinks hers, completely unaware that Roman Reigns had tampered with it earlier in the evening.
The “hero of the Russian Federation” was in action on RAW as “The Super Athlete” Rusev, with Lana in his corner, would go one-on-one with the self-proclaimed “American Rockstar” Heath Slater. Slater would get a few shots in on Rusev before Rusev would drop Slater with a huge side kick. Rusev then locks in the Accolade, making Heath Slater tap out to pick up another dominant victory.
Backstage, Triple H is outside the bathroom door where his wife, Stephanie, is violently sick from the tainted coffee she drank earlier. Vickie Guerrero then tries to bring Triple H his coffee and the GM gets roped into checking on Stephanie, who hurls all over Vickie! Struggling to keep his lunch down, Triple H informs Vickie that she is in charge tonight, telling Vickie to take a shower before the COO assists his sick wife from the arena, leaving a shrieking Vickie in their office.
Moments after being thrown up on by Stephanie McMahon, Vickie Guerrero opens the office door to find Roman Reigns waiting. Roman tells Vickie that Stephanie is probably going to fire Vickie next week anyways, but the GM can still do something to stand up to The Authority. Reigns then tells Vickie to put him in the battle royal and Vickie agrees, screaming “fine” at Roman before slamming the door!
Backstage, an interview with RAW Guest Star Kevin Hart is interrupted by Adam Rose and The Exotic Express as Adam Rose compliments Kevin Hart on his new movie, telling Hart to ride along with him on The Exotic Express. A skeptical Hart refuses and Adam Rose tells Kevin not to be a “lemon”, to be a “rosebud”.
With RAW Guest Star Kevin Hart a guest on commentary, Fandango & Layla would face the team of Adam Rose & Summer Rae in a Mixed Tag Match. Early on in the match, Summer Rae would chase Layla to the back, leaving Adam Rose to hit the Party Foul on Fandango en route to picking up the win. After the match, Kevin Hart gives in to The Exotic Express as he and Adam Rose leave with the “rosebuds”.
Then it was time for the battle royal to fill one of the two remaining spots in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank as Rob Van Dam, Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Fandango, Bo Dallas, Rusev, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Los Matadores, Big E, Titus O’Neil, Xavier Woods, Damien Sandow, Santino Marella, Sin Cara, Kofi Kingston, & Roman Reigns would all compete for a crucial spot in the match. The battle royal participants would first turn their attention to Damien Sandow, who was decked out in Miami Heat gear, as nearly every Superstar heads right for Sandow, eliminating Sandow from the match. The next Superstar to go was Santino Marella, who gets tossed out by Bo Dallas. Rusev then single-handedly eliminated both Los Matadores before lifting Xavier Woods up and over the top to the outside. Roman Reigns then scores his first elimination, tossing Titus O’Neil to the outside before Jack Swagger sends Sin Cara packing. Kofi Kingston then uses Jack Swagger’s own momentum to eliminate Swagger from the match before RybAxel eliminates Kofi. Ryback then sends Dolph Ziggler out of the ring, eliminating Dolph from the battle royal. Roman Reigns then takes control of the battle royal, eliminating Fandango from the match before sending Ryback to the outside, followed shortly by Curtis Axel. Familiar rivals Rob Van Dam and Bad News Barrett would then square off in the corner and Bo Dallas would take advantage, coming from behind to eliminate Rob Van Dam from the battle royal! Bo Dallas would then try to hug Bad News Barrett, but would get a clothesline for his troubles. Shortly after this, Roman Reigns would eliminate Bad News Barrett from the match and Bo Dallas would take advantage of a timely situation again, this time coming from behind Big E to eliminate Big E from the match amidst a battle with Rusev. Roman Reigns then blasts Bo Dallas with the Spear, tossing Bo out with ease, leaving only Roman Reigns and Rusev left in the battle royal. The two big bulls would then lock horns as Rusev and Roman would trade hard-hitting blows before a Superman Punch to the face of Rusev would eliminate Rusev and secure victory for Roman Reigns as Roman wins the battle royal and will join Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, & Bray Wyatt in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank!
The Divas were in action on RAW as Divas Champion Paige would go one-on-one with Cameron, with Naomi in her corner, in a non-title match. Despite some underhanded tactics from Cameron, Paige would lock in the PTO on Cameron, forcing Cameron to tap out to pick up the win.
After Cody Rhodes promised his brother, Goldust, a tag team partner that would “magnify the magnificence” of Goldust, the mystery would be revealed on RAW as Goldust would team with Cody Rhodes under the guise of “Stardust”, complete with gold and black attire and a star painted on his face. This ‘new’ team would face RybAxel on RAW and, in the end, it was Stardust hitting a modified reverse DDT on Curtis Axel en route to picking up the win for himself and Goldust.
Then it was time for the main event as, for the first time in nearly ten years, a Stretcher Match would take place in WWE as John Cena would go one-on-one with “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” Kane in a match where the only way to win is to load your opponent onto a stretcher and pull him over the finish line on the stage with the winner becoming the final man to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank. The match would quickly spill to the outside, where Kane and John Cena would battle around ringside before a steel chair is brought into play as Cena sends Kane shoulder-first into the chair. Cena would then try to come off the top rope on Kane, but Kane would catch Cena, delivering a chokeslam to Cena. Kane then grabs the steel steps, but Cena catches Kane with a drop toehold that results in Kane’s face bouncing off of the steps. Kane would then fight back, dropping Cena with a DDT on the steel steps! Kane then drags Cena to the stretcher, but Cena rolls off of the stretcher, mounting a comeback against “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” before Kane sends Cena into the ringside barricade. Kane then exposes the announce table, but Cena pops up, delivering the Attitude Adjustment to Kane through the table! Cena then barely manages to carry the huge monster to a stretcher on the ramp, but the weight of Kane collapses the stretcher. Cena then loads Kane onto a second stretcher, but that is when Seth Rollins and Randy Orton come in out of nowhere, attacking John Cena! Rollins & Orton then roll Cena into the ring where Orton hits Cena with the RKO. Rollins then grabs a steel chair, but Dean Ambrose rushes the ring, attacking Rollins and sending both Orton & Rollins out of the ring! However, Kane would come back into the ring, dropping Ambrose with a chokeslam before Cena pulls down the top rope, sending a rushing Kane over the top to the outside. Cena then grabs the steel steps, lifting them over his head and tossing them at Kane, making contact with Kane’s skull! Cena then picks up the lifeless body of Kane, loading Kane on the stretcher, but before Cena can make it past the finish line, Kane rises from the stretcher, trying to deliver one last chokeslam to Cena. However, Cena counters, delivering the Attitude Adjustment to Kane on the stretcher, giving one final push on the stretcher, sending it over the finish line as John Cena wins the match and becomes the final man to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank, joining Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, Bray Wyatt, & Roman Reigns!
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