Chaos Reigns.
Six nights before Battleground, the 1103rd edition of WWE Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA. The main event of the evening would see Battleground opponents collide as WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena teams with one of his three challengers in the Fatal 4-Way Match at Battleground, Roman Reigns, and “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose to face the team of Cena’s other two challengers, “The Viper” Randy Orton and “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” Kane, who would join forces with “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Seth Rollins in a huge 6-Man Tag match!
Match Results
- Non-Title: The Miz def. Sheamus by roll-up.
- Dolph Ziggler (with Layla & Summer Rae) def. Fandango by pin following the Famouser.
- Alberto Del Rio def. Rob Van Dam by submission to the Cross Armbreaker.
- 2-on-1 Handicap Match: Cameron & Alicia Fox def. Nikki Bella by Alicia Fox pinning Nikki Bella following a modified facebuster.
- Big E (with Kofi Kingston) def. Cesaro by pin following the Big Ending.
- Non-Title: AJ Lee def. Eva Marie by submission to the Black Widow.
- Bo Dallas def. The Great Khali by count-out.
- 3-on-2 Handicap Match: John Cena & Roman Reigns def. Randy Orton, Kane, & Seth Rollins by DQ after Randy Orton & Kane continue to double-team Roman Reigns.
Detailed Results
Six nights before he defends the WWE World Heavyweight Title against Randy Orton, Kane, & Roman Reigns in a Fatal 4-Way Match at Battleground, RAW kicks off with WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena. Cena says that, in six nights, “The Champ” may not be here because The Authority has placed him in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the title at Battleground against Randy Orton, Kane, & Roman Reigns. Cena then reviews the rules of a Fatal 4-Way Match, saying that he does not even have to be pinned to lose the title. “The Champ” is then interrupted by the arrival of one of his three challengers at Battleground as Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring to confront John Cena. Cena says that Roman’s message was well-received last week, saying that Reigns is not to be ignored. Cena continues, saying that Roman Reigns has been screwed over by The Authority too, but Roman cuts Cena off, telling Cena to get to the point. Cena then proposes that they take care of The Authority tonight by taking Randy Orton and Kane out of the picture then leave it down to the two of them to see if Roman is as good as he thinks he is. Reigns agrees that they should take Kane and Orton out of the equation, telling “The Champ” that they could then see if Cena is as good as he thinks he is! The face-off is then halted by Dean Ambrose, who appears on the Tron, reminding Cena and Reigns that they have a match against Kane, Orton, and Seth Rollins tonight, saying that he has a plan for The Authority and that plan is called “screw The Authority”. Ambrose then suggests that they work together to take all three of them out. However, Ambrose is then confronted with a very bad situation as Kane and Seth Rollins appear behind Ambrose. Realizing what he is in for, Ambrose tries to strike first, but “The Lunatic Fringe” is quickly mauled by Seth Rollins, who is joined by Randy Orton. Together, the three of them beat Dean Ambrose down, repeatedly slamming Ambrose into a steel garage door backstage before they take turns kicking Dean Ambrose, throwing him into the door one more time. Then, after throwing Ambrose into a wall, Kane grabs Dean Ambrose and drives Ambrose down hard on an anvil case with the chokeslam. Down, but not out, Dean Ambrose asks them if that is all they’ve got! Seth Rollins responds by setting Dean Ambrose up for the Curb Stomp, driving Ambrose’s skull into a wooden box with the sickening maneuver. Kane, Orton, & Rollins then leave the barely breathing Ambrose on the concrete floor, walking away from the scene.
Before they join twenty other Superstars in the Battleground Battle Royal to crown a new Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion Sheamus would go one-on-one with the self-proclaimed “A-Lister” The Miz in a non-title match. During the match, Sheamus would go for the Brogue Kick, but The Miz would move out of the way and Sheamus would get hung up on the top rope. The Miz then catches Sheamus with a quick roll-up to pick up the win over the United States Champion.
Backstage, Randy Orton and Kane are arguing over the title match at Battleground as Randy Orton says that Kane can only trust him as long as he can trust Kane. WWE COO Triple H then corrects Kane & Orton, telling them that they can trust each other because he trusts both of them. The COO then says that what is important is this Sunday at Battleground when the WWE World Heavyweight Championship comes back to The Authority, saying that they need to take care of business tonight and, to do that, they need to have “trust”.
Two more of the Battleground Battle Royal participants were in action on RAW as Dolph Ziggler went one-on-one with Fandango. During the match, Fandango’s two former partners, Layla & Summer Rae, get on the announce table, doing their best dance routine, distracting Fandango long enough for Dolph Ziggler to take advantage as Dolph hits the Famouser on Fandango en route to picking up the win. After the match, Layla & Summer Rae would rub salt in the wound, dancing in the ring before they both plant a kiss on Dolph Ziggler before “The Show-Off” leaves with both ladies!
Before they defend the WWE Tag Team Titles in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match against Luke Harper & Erick Rowan at Battleground, WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos were scheduled to compete on RAW, but Luke Harper & Erick Rowan blindside The Usos during their entrance. Harper mauls one of The Usos and sends Uso over the ringside barricade with a big boot before Harper & Rowan focus on the remaining Uso, driving Uso down in the center of the ring with a double-team slam.
RAW commentator Michael Cole would then make an in-ring appearance to serve as the mediator in an apparent “détente” between Zeb Colter, with Jack Swagger in tow, and Lana, with Rusev in tow. Cole explains that, as a result of Lana repeatedly insulting America, Zeb Colter, on behalf of Jack Swagger, has challenged Rusev to a one-on-one match at Battleground. Cole then asks Lana to respond to the challenge on Rusev’s behalf, telling Zeb Colter that he and America are the same, saying that he is only showing his “desperation” and that America and all its inhabitants are “stupid”. Lana continues, saying that Russia will always be a “peaceful, loving country”, asking Colter to admit America’s “mistakes” and “apologize”. Zeb says that, years ago, he was face down on the ground in a foreign land with bullets going over his head and mortar fire going off all around him and he didn’t come back from war to have two “peg legs” bad-mouth his country. Colter says that he made a vow to protect America at any cost before he refuses to apologize for America. Both sides then step out from behind their podiums before Lana says that America’s residents are the reason that America is “crumbling into pieces” and there is only one man who can help America’s “disastrous situation” and that is Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zeb reminds Lana that they have a leader that they elect every four years and that is the President of the United States and, whether they like President Barack Obama or not, real Americans always respect the presidency of the United States. Colter then says that he came there for an answer before talking directly to Rusev, asking Rusev when he is going to step out from behind Lana and be a man and face Jack Swagger at Battleground. Rusev then grabs the microphone, speaking Russian before telling Swagger that “this is war”! As Lana & Rusev exit the ring, Zeb Colter & Jack Swagger lead the crowd in telling Lana & Rusev “we the people”. Lana responds by slapping Zeb Colter across the face before a brawl breaks out and, with some help from Lana, Rusev takes control of the brawl, tossing Swagger into a podium. However, when Rusev goes for the big side kick on Jack Swagger, Swagger catches the foot of Rusev, locking in the Patriot Lock on “The Hero of the Russian Federation”, forcing Rusev to scramble for the ropes before Swagger finally breaks the hold, allowing Rusev to escape!
With the opportunity to become the new Intercontinental Champion awaiting them in the Battleground Battle Royal, “Mr. Monday Night” Rob Van Dam would go one-on-one with Alberto Del Rio on RAW. During the match, Rob Van Dam would go for the Five-Star Frog Splash, but Alberto Del Rio would get his knees up before locking in the Cross Armbreaker on Rob Van Dam, making RVD tap out to pick up the win.
Nikki Bella was scheduled for tag team action on RAW, but WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon comes out, telling Nikki that she is “all alone” in the ring again. Stephanie then says that, when Brie Bella quit, she “abandoned” Nikki and now Nikki is left to “suffer the consequences”. Stephanie then says that Nikki will have to go it alone again tonight and the only person that Nikki has to blame is her sister, Brie. Nikki’s opponents then come out as Nikki Bella would face both Cameron & Alicia Fox in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. Nikki Bella would put up a valiant effort, but the numbers game would overwhelm Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox would hit a modified facebuster on Nikki, pinning Nikki for the win.
Backstage, Randy Orton confronts Triple H about Kane, but Triple H tells Orton that Kane is just a “pawn”. Orton then says that, if he is the “plan”, then there should be no need for a “plan B”.
With rumors running rampant that Paul Heyman had been fired or possibly quit WWE during the recent tour of Japan, “The King of Swing” Cesaro, with Heyman noticeably missing from ringside, would go one-on-one with Big E, with Kofi Kingston in his corner. During the match, a desperate Cesaro would grab a steel chair from under the ring, tossing it at Kofi Kingston, but when Cesaro got a second chair with the intent of using it on Big E, Kofi snatches the chair away. This temporary distraction would allow Big E to take advantage, hitting the Big Ending on Cesaro en route to picking up the win.
Six nights before he goes one-on-one with Bray Wyatt at Battleground, “Y2J” Chris Jericho would appear on RAW to try and get some answers as to why he was attacked by The Wyatt Family two weeks ago. Jericho says that he has been working in WWE for fifteen years and he has seen just about everything there is to see and has done just about everything there is to do as he is a six-time World Champion and the first Undisputed Champion in WWE history. Jericho continues, saying that he has never seen anything like The Wyatt Family and he does not know why Bray Wyatt has targeted him, but he says that, if Bray wants to get “crazy” at Battleground, he can get “crazy”. Jericho then says that Bray may have the whole world in his hands, but he’s got the WWE fans in his hands and, with them by his side, he is an “unstoppable force”. Bray Wyatt then appears on the Tron, asking Jericho if he remembers what it was like to be a “child”, not having to worry about the “horrors” that tomorrow may bring. Bray continues, saying that, when children’s “frail, little minds” are struck by the “cold hand of life”, they are changed. Bray says that Jericho promised to “save” them, saying that he has “gone to war” with very powerful men and, no matter how tough or mean they thought they were, they all fell to him and so will Jericho. Bray then asks Jericho if he is “afraid of the dark” before the lights go out and, when the lights come back on, Jericho is flanked by Luke Harper & Erick Rowan. Jericho tries to fight back, but the numbers game quickly catches up to Jericho and the wily veteran quickly slides out of the ring, seemingly escaping harm. However, with Jericho’s attention on Harper & Rowan, Bray Wyatt would attack Jericho from behind, planting Jericho with the Sister Abigail on the steel stage. Bray then kneels next to Chris Jericho, telling everyone to “follow the buzzards”.
Before she defends the Divas Title against Paige at Battleground, the Divas Champion was in action on RAW as AJ Lee would go one-on-one with Eva Marie in a non-title match with Paige a guest on commentary. In the end, it was AJ Lee locking in the Black Widow on Eva Marie, making Eva tap out to pick up the win. After the match, AJ Lee would sit on the announce table, taking JBL’s headset and putting it on so that AJ and Paige could have an awkward compliment session with each other.
Backstage, Kane confronts The Authority, saying that there is a major problem with “plan A”, telling Triple H & Stephanie that he does not “trust” Randy Orton and he does not “like” Randy Orton. Triple H tells Kane that it’s all about “business” and what is “best for business” is for the WWE World Heavyweight Title to come back to The Authority, telling Kane that he does not care how Kane gets it done, only that he does get it done.
With the Battleground Battle Royal awaiting him at Battleground, the undefeated Bo Dallas was in action on RAW as the self-proclaimed “inspiration” would face his biggest challenge to date in The Great Khali. During the match, Bo Dallas would deliver a dropkick to the knee of The Great Khali and Khali’s face would collide with the steel steps. Bo then follows this up with a modified Bo Dog to Khali on the arena floor, quickly sliding into the ring before the referee reaches the count of ten as Bo picks up the win by count-out. After the match, Bo Dallas would try to give an inspirational speech to The Great Khali, but Khali would knock Dallas down with a chop to the head, shutting Bo Dallas up.
After a brief talk with Seth Rollins that reinforces Rollins’ as their “plan B”, The Authority is confronted in their office by Paul Heyman. Heyman says that he likes their “plan B” and he hopes that it works out for them. Heyman then tells The Authority that, if they need a “guaranteed plan C”, then he is the guy they should talk to.
RAW would then be graced with the presence of a living legend as two-time WWE Hall of Famer “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair makes a rare television appearance. Flair says that he has had some “fun” in Richmond, telling the fans to ask their mothers and fathers. Flair continues, saying that Virginia is for “lovers” before doing some strutting and plenty of wooing. Interviewer Renee Young then asks “The Nature Boy” who he thinks will walk out as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Battleground and Ric Flair predicts that John Cena will walk out as champion. This brings Roman Reigns to the ring, who shakes hands with Ric Flair before “The Nature Boy” exits the ring. The Hall of Famer is then greeted on the stage by John Cena, who greets Flair by handing the belt that used to represent the World Heavyweight Championship, as well as the WCW Championship and NWA Championship, over to Ric Flair.
Then it was time for the main event as, with Dean Ambrose taken out of the main event due to an assault by Randy Orton, Kane, & Seth Rollins, WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena and Roman Reigns would be forced to face “The Viper” Randy Orton, “The Devil’s Favorite Demon” Kane, and “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Seth Rollins in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match. During the match, things would break down and Roman Reigns would take out Kane and Seth Rollins before focusing on Randy Orton. Reigns would then set Orton up for the Spear, but Kane would intervene and, with Rollins getting checked on by WWE’s ringside doctor on the outside, Kane and Orton would begin the beat-down of Roman Reigns, forcing the referee to end the match. After the match, John Cena would attempt to make the save as “The Champ” sends Kane to the outside before brawling with Randy Orton. However, Kane would try to deliver a right hand to Cena and Cena would duck out of the way as Kane inadvertently hits Orton! Cena would then go for the Attitude Adjustment on Kane, but Kane would fight out of it, shoving Cena towards Orton. Meanwhile, Roman Reigns re-enters the ring with the intent of delivering a Spear to Randy Orton, but Orton steps out of the way and Roman accidentally delivers a Spear to John Cena! Kane then blasts Roman Reigns with a big boot before Kane stands over the broken bodies around him, but when Kane gets close enough, he is caught with an RKO from Randy Orton! While it looks like Randy Orton was the last man standing, Roman Reigns had a different idea as Roman blasts Randy Orton with the Spear, making sure that he was the last man standing in the ring!
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