Unlikely Alliance.
The 1098th edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. With WWE still reeling following Seth Rollins’ shocking betrayal of his “brothers”, Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns, on last week’s RAW as Rollins assaulted Ambrose & Reigns with a steel chair before standing side-by-side with Triple H & Randy Orton, WWE COO Triple H has promised that he and his wife Stephanie will open RAW with a “blockbuster announcement”! After the shocking events of last week that were orchestrated by “The Game” himself, what will this announcement be about? Will the blockbuster announcement involve Triple H’s newest weapon, Seth Rollins? Could the announcement be about the state of Daniel Bryan and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship?
For the first time since Seth Rollins turned his back on them with a steel chair assault on last week’s RAW, Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns would appear on RAW as the remnants of the once dominant Shield will address the actions of Seth Rollins live on RAW! What will Ambrose & Reigns have to say about their closest teammate betraying them in favor of joining up with Triple H?
Match Results
- Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Match: Champion vs. Champion: Sheamus def. Bad News Barrett by pin following the Brogue Kick to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank.
- Rusev (with Lana) def. Zack Ryder by submission to the Accolade.
- RybAxel def. Goldust & R-Truth by Curtis Axel rolling up Goldust.
- Non-Title: The Usos def. Fandango & Damien Sandow (with Layla) by Uso pinning Damien Sandow following the Superfly Splash.
- Bo Dallas def. Xavier Woods by pin following the Bo Dog.
- Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Match: Cesaro (with Paul Heyman) def. Rob Van Dam by pin following the Neutralizer to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank.
- Non-Title: Paige def. Alicia Fox (with Aksana) by submission to the PTO.
- Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) def. Santino Marella by pin following the gutwrench powerbomb.
- 6-Man Tag: John Cena, Dean Ambrose, & Roman Reigns def. The Wyatt Family by Roman Reigns pinning Luke Harper following the Spear.
Detailed Results
As promised, RAW kicks off with The Authority as WWE COO Triple H & WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon make their way to the ring to make a “blockbuster announcement”. Triple H says that it’s a “good night to be right” before Stephanie McMahon says that they have all been hanging in the balance in regards to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but tonight, they finally have “resolve”. Stephanie then throws to an interview conducted earlier in the day with the surgeon responsible for Daniel Bryan’s neck surgery, Dr. Joseph Maroon. The Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery states that, despite Daniel Bryan’s desire to return to competition, it would be detrimental to his health to return to the ring too soon. The doctor then states that, while Daniel Bryan will not be cleared to compete for another month, they will continue to evaluate Daniel Bryan’s health in the coming weeks to get him back as soon as possible. Stephanie then explains that Daniel Bryan will be unable to defend the title at Money-in-the-Bank, saying that they cannot expect an “A+ recovery” from a “B+ player”. Triple H then says that this is not the “Daniel Bryan fan club”, this is WWE, saying that what is “best for business” is having a champion who can actually defend the title. Stephanie then makes the announcement that they have no choice but to strip Daniel Bryan of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship! Stephanie continues, saying that their hand has been forced in the matter, sending her “condolences” to Daniel Bryan and his “ungrateful wife”, Brie Bella. Stephanie adds that it turns out that Brie quit for “absolutely nothing” at Payback.
Stephanie then makes another huge announcement, announcing that, at Money-in-the-Bank in three weeks, the first ever WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match will take place to determine a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion! Triple H then announces that, in addition to Alberto Del Rio, who qualified for the match on last week’s RAW, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match will also feature “The Viper” Randy Orton! Triple H then guarantees that there will be a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion at WWE Money-in-the-Bank before saying that, ever since WrestleMania, the fans could not wait to rub it in The Authority’s face that Daniel Bryan was the champion. Triple H continues, saying that they were right the whole time and Daniel Bryan is not “WWE World Heavyweight Champion material” before saying that he has been coming out there saying “adapt or perish”. Triple H then says that Seth Rollins “adapted” last week while The Shield “perished”, saying that he “believed” in Seth Rollins. Triple H continues, saying that, tonight, what is left of The Shield will “wimper to the end” when Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns face The Wyatt Family in a 6-Man Tag Match, saying that it might be “tough” for Ambrose & Reigns to find a tag team partner after getting on the bad side of most of the roster during The Shield’s dominant reign in WWE, commenting that the match will more than likely resemble a 3-on-2 Handicap Match! Triple H then vows that tonight will mark the end of The Shield as Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns will “perish”.
With Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton already announced for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank, the opening match of the night would be a Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Match as United States Champion Sheamus went one-on-one with Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett. In a brutal war between the two champions, it was Bad News Barrett’s frustration that would cost him the match as the referee has to separate Barrett from Sheamus, allowing Sheamus enough time to hit the Brogue Kick on Bad News Barrett, pinning the Intercontinental Champion for the win as Sheamus qualifies for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match, joining Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton. With four spots left, who will join Sheamus, Randy Orton, & Alberto Del Rio in the Ladder Match for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Title?
Luke Harper & Erick Rowan then make an appearance as Luke Harper says that he sometimes gets those “urges” from a “deep, dark place”. Bray Wyatt then enters the scene, saying that The Shield used to refer to themselves as the “most dominant force” in WWE. Bray says that The Shield found themselves in the “pit” and they will “burn for it” tonight, saying that he is “reborn” and his “urges can never be satisfied”.
“The Hero of the Russian Federation” Rusev was in action on RAW as “The Super Athlete”, with Lana in his corner, would face Zack Ryder. Rusev would make quick work of Zack Ryder, locking in the Accolade, forcing Ryder to tap out to pick up the win.
As Cody Rhodes continues to try and find a better tag team partner for his brother, Goldust, RAW would see the team of Goldust & R-Truth face RybAxel on RAW. In the end, it was Curtis Axel surprising Goldust with a roll-up, picking up the win for RybAxel.
Backstage, Layla’s hair and make-up session is interrupted by Summer Rae, who dumps milk on Layla’s head before assaulting the Diva, slamming Layla’s face into the table before walking off, leaving Layla in tears.
3MB then appear in the ring as Heath Slater says that The Shield was supposed to be out there to talk, but they do more than talk. 3MB is then interrupted by the arrival of The Shield as Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns make their way to the ring. With the one man advantage, 3MB still struggles with The Shield, getting a few shots in before Ambrose & Reigns take over, pummeling the trio in and out of the ring before hurling Drew McIntyre over the ringside barricade. After The Shield hurls Jinder Mahal into the barricade, Dean Ambrose dives over the barricade onto McIntyre, pummeling McIntyre. Meanwhile, on the stage, Heath Slater tries to make a getaway, but he is caught with a vicious Spear from Roman Reigns! After leaving 3MB lying, The Shield regroups in the ring as Dean Ambrose says that they “dominated” WWE and they beat everyone, even Evolution. Ambrose then says that they had a “cancer” among them and that cancer was Seth Rollins, saying that history is filled with people like Rollins who have stabbed their brothers in the back. Ambrose continues, saying that he is going to re-arrange the facial features of Seth Rollins, calling Rollins “scum” and saying that they can’t wait to hear Triple H’s words come out of Rollins’ mouth. Ambrose then says that they are going to listen to everything that Rollins has to say, then they are going to “beat the hell” out of him! Roman Reigns then says that Rollins committed the most “unforgiveable sin”, saying that you don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t stab your brothers in the back. Reigns continues, saying that Rollins is only part of the problem, saying that Randy Orton thinks that he is the “face” of the company, but he is going to make Orton the “ass” of the company! Reigns then says that, after they are through with Orton, they are coming after Triple H and they are going to have their own “game of thrones”!
With Layla in less than spectacular form following a backstage attack from Summer Rae, Layla would accompany Fandango to the ring as the dancing Superstar teams with Damien Sandow, dressed in a leotard and doing interpretive dance, to face WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos in a non-title match on RAW. In the end, it was one of The Usos hitting the Superfly Splash on Damien Sandow, pinning Sandow for the win.
The self-proclaimed “inspirational” Bo Dallas would go one-on-one with Xavier Woods on RAW. In the end, it was Bo Dallas hitting the Bo Dog on Xavier Woods, pinning Xavier for the win.
In the second Money-in-the-Bank Qualifying Match of the night, “The King of Swing” Cesaro, with Paul Heyman in his corner, would go one-on-one with “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam. In the end, it was Cesaro planting Rob Van Dam with the Neutralizer, pinning RVD to pick up the win and qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match at Money-in-the-Bank, joining Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, & Randy Orton.
After betraying his teammates, Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns, on last week’s RAW, Seth Rollins would take part in a sit-down interview with Michael Cole live on RAW to discuss why he joined Triple H last week. After being introduced by Michael Cole, Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring, dressed in a suit, sitting down with Michael Cole in the ring. Seth Rollins says that, last week, he was just doing what was “best for business”, saying that he created The Shield and he has the right to “destroy” his own creation. Rollins continues, saying that it takes an “architect” to put together a faction like The Shield and a guy like Dean Ambrose would end up “face down in a ditch” if left to his own devices. Rollins then calls Roman Reigns the “golden boy”, saying that, without someone to control Reigns’ “anger and fury”, Reigns is “worthless”. Rollins continues, saying that Ambrose & Reigns owe him every ounce of success that they have ever achieved. Cole then says that many people would argue that The Shield was about one unit, not about three individuals. Rollins says that they will find out later tonight when the remnants of The Shield face The Wyatt Family. Rollins says that Evolution taught him that, to succeed in this business, you have to “adapt” and he “bought in” to the “evolution of Seth Rollins”.
Now out of his seat, Seth Rollins says that none of them want to admit that it took “guts” to do what he did last week, saying that Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns probably believed that they were “brothers”, but to him, Ambrose & Reigns were just “business partners” and he “severed a business relationship”. Rollins continues, saying that, every night, he came out there and said “believe in The Shield”, but what he really meant was that everybody has better start “believing in Seth Rollins”. Getting back in his seat, Seth Rollins says that he heard Dean Ambrose say that Ambrose & Reigns were going to let him say his piece before coming out to dispose of Rollins. Tossing the chairs out of the ring and forcing Michael Cole to retreat, Seth Rollins dares Ambrose & Reigns to come out there and make good on their promise! It doesn’t take long for Ambrose & Reigns to make their way towards the ring, but that is when The Wyatt Family’s Luke Harper & Erick Rowan appear in the ring, coming face-to-face with Ambrose & Reigns. As a brawl breaks out between the four men, Seth Rollins slides back into the ring, waiting for his opportunity to strike, but Ambrose & Reigns quickly toss Harper & Rowan out of the ring and Reigns quickly grabs Rollins. However, before Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns could deal out their revenge on Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt enters the fray and, together with Luke Harper & Erick Rowan, The Wyatt Family attacks Ambrose & Reigns, letting Seth Rollins get away. Despite Triple H’s claim that no one would want to team with Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns, a longtime rival of The Wyatt Family would make the save for The Shield as John Cena rushes out, sending The Wyatt Family packing!
In a non-title rematch from Payback, Divas Champion Paige would go one-on-one with Alicia Fox, with Aksana in her corner. Early on in the match, Aksana would try and get involved, by would get caught with a right hand by the Divas Champion. In the end, Paige would shove Alicia Fox into Aksana, taking Aksana out before she locks on the PTO, forcing Alicia Fox to tap out to pick up the win. After the match, Aksana would try to console Alicia Fox, but Alicia goes crazy on Aksana, slapping Aksana repeatedly before taking water and popcorn from the crowd, tossing and eating the popcorn, as well as dumping the water on Aksana. Alicia then offers Aksana popcorn before saying that she is “sorry” before trying to force-feed popcorn to Aksana.
With Zeb Colter in his corner, Jack Swagger would go one-on-one with Santino Marella on RAW. In the end, it was Jack Swagger hitting the gutwrench powerbomb on Santino Marella, pinning Santino for the win.
Backstage, Cody Rhodes confronts his disappointed brother, Goldust, saying that he has found the perfect tag team partner for Goldust. Rhodes says that this mystery man is someone who Goldust has “never seen before” and who can match Goldust’s star power. Rhodes then says that this person is someone who can “magnify the magnificence” of Goldust, telling his brother that this mystery partner will team with Goldust next week.
Backstage, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero interrupts a discussion between WWE COO Triple H and WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon, offering The Authority champagne to celebrate the fact that there is no more Daniel Bryan and no more Brad Maddox. The GM then accidentally sneezes on The Authority, so Stephanie slaps a glass out of Vickie’s hand, telling the GM that she fired Vickie once before and she can do it again.
Then it was time for the main event as John Cena would join forces with Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns to face The Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, & Erick Rowan, in a 6-Man Tag Match. An explosive match would break down in an all-out brawl as Bray Wyatt hits the Sister Abigail on John Cena, but gets caught with the Superman Punch from Roman Reigns. Reigns then tosses Erick Rowan to the outside before Dean Ambrose dives to the outside, taking out Rowan. Back in the ring, Luke Harper catches Roman Reigns with a super kick, but Reigns kicks out of the pin and, moments later, Roman Reigns hits the Spear on Luke Harper, pinning Harper to pick up the win for himself, Dean Ambrose, & John Cena. As Triple H & Seth Rollins watch from the back, John Cena, Dean Ambrose, & Roman Reigns celebrate their triumphant win over The Wyatt Family.
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