Detailed Results
With the destroyed Cadillac CTS placed next to the stage, RAW kicks off with the man who destroyed the over $50,000 car belonging to J&J Security last week as “The Beast” Brock Lesnar makes his way to the ring with his advocate Paul Heyman by his side six nights before Lesnar challenges Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground. Heyman says that he cannot wait for this Sunday at Battleground, saying that, when Brock Lesnar walks into the ring as a challenger, he leaves as the champion. Heyman continues, saying that “The Beast” would still be champion if it wasn’t for Seth Rollins before saying that, this Sunday, Lesnar will enter as a challenger, but he will not leave the same way. Heyman then proclaims that, at Battleground, Brock Lesnar will conquer Seth Rollins, but before Heyman can continue, he is interrupted by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, who is joined by The Authority’s Director of Operations Kane, who is back from his vacation in Hawaii. From the stage, the champion says that he cannot wait until Battleground to wipe the smile off of Brock Lesnar’s face, saying that he gave Lesnar every opportunity to come out and conduct himself like a “man”, but Lesnar chose to conduct himself like a “coward”. Rollins continues, saying that “The Beast” decided to take his aggression out on the gift he gave to J&J Security. The champion then says that Lesnar can have the destroyed Cadillac CTS as his “symbol” because his symbol is the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins then says that he is a “real champion”, calling Lesnar a “thug” and a “vandal” before vowing to “burn Suplex City to the ground”. Taking the microphone from Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar has a simple message for the champion, saying “I can take you to Suplex City tonight, bitch”!
The Authority’s Director of Operations Kane then reveals that, at the end of the night, there will be a contract signing for the WWE World Heavyweight Title match at Battleground. Kane then begins to threaten Brock Lesnar, but Paul Heyman interrupts, scoffing at the idea of Kane threatening Lesnar, saying that they are going to be threatened by “The Undertaker’s baby brother”. Heyman then reminds Kane that Brock Lesnar “conquered” the undefeated streak of The Undertaker, saying that he is not supposed to talk about Kane’s family. The advocate then says that Brock Lesnar will arrive at the contract signing with peaceful intentions, but if Seth Rollins decides to “intentionally provoke” Brock Lesnar, then Atlanta will be transformed into “Suplex City”.
The opening match of the night would see Battleground opponents collide as “The Viper” Randy Orton would team with Intercontinental Champion Ryback to face “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” Sheamus and one of Ryback’s challengers come Battleground, “The World’s Largest Athlete” Big Show, with Ryback’s other challenger, The Miz, a guest on commentary. During the match, The Miz would grab a microphone and taunt Big Show at ringside and Big Show would respond by chasing The Miz all the way to the back. Meanwhile, in the ring, Randy Orton hits the RKO on Sheamus and Ryback follows it up with a big splash off of the top rope, pinning “Mr. Money-in-the-Bank” for the win.
Former rivals were scheduled to face off on RAW as “The New Face of Fear” Bray Wyatt was set to face “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose. However, before the match begins, Roman Reigns ambushes Bray Wyatt in the entranceway, pummeling his Battleground opponent at ringside, sending Bray spine-first into the steel ring post before taking Bray down with a flying dropkick. Reigns then rolls Wyatt into the ring and, while Bray fights out of an attempted Samoan Drop, Roman catches Bray with the Superman Punch, knocking Bray out of the ring. When Reigns reaches out to grab Wyatt, however, Bray smashes his signature lantern into the head of Roman, stunning Reigns long enough for Bray Wyatt to create some distance between himself and Reigns.
Team Bella would then make an appearance on RAW as Divas Champion Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, & Alicia Fox appear in the ring. Nikki says that she has taken “no shortcuts” and she is the “definition of fearless” saying that she is the “total Diva”. The Divas Champion then says that Team Bella has become “unstoppable” because she owns the Divas Championship, saying that they “rule” the Divas division. The champion is then interrupted by the arrival of WWE Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon as Stephanie makes her way to the ring to address Team Bella. Stephanie says that, by the sounds of it, Nikki Bella thinks she “owns” the Divas division and that she thinks she “owns WWE”. Stephanie then says that the “legacy” of WWE rests on her shoulders, saying that there hasn’t been that “level of competition” in the Divas division that she wants to see and the fans want to see. Stephanie continues, saying that women athletes are “making their mark” in sports such as soccer, UFC, and tennis, saying that it’s time to “make a change” in the Divas division right now. Stephanie then says that she is not going to make this change alone before the Principal Owner brings out a Diva who has made it her personal mission to try and stop Team Bella’s stranglehold on the Divas division, Paige. Nikki expresses her distain for Paige being out there, but Stephanie puts a stop to it, telling the Divas Champion that she asked Paige to come out there. Stephanie says that Paige needs “backup” in her crusade and, for whatever reason, no one has been willing to stand by Paige’s side, but she knows someone who is.
Stephanie continues, saying that this individual has had to “fight” for everything that they have gotten and someone who is “not afraid of the fire” before bringing out NXT Diva Becky Lynch! The fiery redhead makes her way to the ring on RAW for the first time, shaking hands with Paige as the two Divas stand together. Stephanie then says that Team Bella still has the numbers advantage before saying that joining Paige and Becky Lynch is a woman who was “bred for this business” and a Diva who knows how to style and profile as Stephanie introduces the daughter of Ric Flair and former NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte! Charlotte makes her way to the ring, joining the Divas in the ring as Paige, Becky Lynch, & Charlotte embrace in the ring as the anti-Bella contingent appears ready and willing to go to war. This brings Naomi & Tamina out as Naomi says that they have some “unfinished business” with both sides, asking Stephanie when they are going to get what they “deserve”. Stephanie then says that she is glad that Naomi & Tamina are out there, saying that there is someone else who thinks like they do. Stephanie says that this person is not afraid to “seize the opportunity” before bringing out “The Boss” as reigning NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks makes her way to the ring! “The Boss” stands alongside Naomi & Tamina as the battle lines are clearly drawn between three different Divas factions as Stephanie asks Nikki Bella if that is what she had in mind when the Divas Champion said she was looking for some “competition”. Stephanie then says that she has “set the table of opportunity” and now she wants to see who is going to “take it”. The Principal Owner then leaves the ring as Team Bella gets in the face of Naomi, Tamina, & Sasha Banks, only to find themselves between a rock and a hard place as Paige, Charlotte, & Becky Lynch stand on the other side of Team Bella.
Nikki Bella tries to shove her way past Sasha Banks and that sparks a huge brawl between the nine Divas before Charlotte takes out Brie Bella with a dropkick and chops down Nikki Bella. Naomi then connects with the Rear View to Charlotte before Paige locks Naomi in the PTO, but Tamina breaks it up with a super kick to Paige! Sasha Banks then takes control as “The Boss” takes it to Team Bella before Becky Lynch sends “The Boss” packing. Alicia Fox then goes for the Scissors Kick on Charlotte, but Charlotte counters, locking in the Figure Eight on Alicia! Becky Lynch then locks in an arm submission on Brie Bella before Sasha Banks hits a Back Stabber on Nikki Bella, locking in the Crossface on the Divas Champion! Paige, Naomi, & Tamina then enter the ring and all of the holds are released as Team Bella is sent out of the ring and, as Stephanie McMahon looks on from the stage, Paige, Charlotte, & Becky Lynch stare down Naomi, Tamina, & Sasha Banks.
Before they defend the WWE Tag Team Titles against The New Day this Sunday at Battleground, WWE Tag Team Champions The Prime Time Players would join forces with “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry to face The New Day in a 6-Man Tag match. In the end, it was Mark Henry planting Xavier Woods with the World’s Strongest Slam, pinning Woods for the win.
In a rematch from last week’s RAW, 2015 King of the Ring King Barrett would go one-on-one with “King What’s Up” R-Truth. In the end, it was R-Truth hitting the Lie Detector on King Barrett, pinning Barrett for the win. After the match, R-Truth would grab his duct-taped cardboard crown, towel, and plunger from under the ring, waving to the fans.
Six nights before he defends the United States Championship against Kevin Owens at Battleground, United States Champion John Cena would be on RAW for the latest U.S. Open Challenge. The man who answers the challenge is the man who Cena defeated to win the United States Title back at WrestleMania, “The Bulgarian Brute” Rusev, who makes his way to the ring with Summer Rae in tow. Rusev says that he never would have lost the United States Title if it was not for Lana, vowing that he is going to “break” John Cena tonight. Kevin Owens then comes out, saying that, if anyone is going to beat Cena and take the United States Title, it’s going to be him. Owens then lays down a challenge, saying that he will beat Cena for the United States Title here tonight and, at Battleground, Cena can have his rematch for the title! However, this presents a problem as Rusev tells Kevin Owens that he answered the challenge first, calling Owens a “stupid French-American”. The brash Owens responds by telling Rusev to take his “Lana wannabe” and his flag and shove it up his “Chernobyl”! The face-off is then broken up by the man who took Cena to the limit for the United States Title last week, Cesaro, as “The Swiss Superman” gets in John Cena’s face before Cesaro, Rusev, & Kevin Owens face off. The United States Champion then exits the ring, letting his three potential challengers fight it out amongst themselves for the title shot.
In an impromptu decision made by The Authority, “The Swiss Superman” Cesaro, “The Bulgarian Brute” Rusev, and John Cena’s opponent at Battleground, Kevin Owens, would face off in a Triple Threat Match with the winner earning the right to challenge John Cena for the United States Championship later on in the evening with “The Champ” himself, John Cena, a guest on commentary. During a hotly-contested Triple Threat Match, Kevin Owens would decide to bow out of the match, opting to wait until Battleground to get his shot at the United States Title, leaving Rusev and Cesaro to battle over the prestigious opportunity! Later on in the match, Cesaro would try to lift Rusev off of the ring apron into the ring with a suplex, but Rusev would counter and both men would take an ugly fall to the outside with Cesaro bouncing off of the ring apron to the floor while Rusev lands flat on the floor. Somehow, both Superstars are able to recover and, after Rusev misses a move off of the top rope, Cesaro locks in the Crossface on Rusev, but “The Bulgarian Brute” is able to power out of the move, slamming Cesaro. Rusev would then look for the Accolade, but Cesaro would nearly trap Rusev in the Sharpshooter before Rusev battles back with a big heel kick. Rusev then tries to lock in the Accolade on Cesaro again, but “The Swiss Superman” would counter again, stunning Rusev with the Cesaro Swing right into the Sharpshooter. Rusev would manage to get to the ropes, but with no disqualifications and no count-outs in a Triple Threat Match, Cesaro would not have to break the hold and Rusev would be forced to drag himself to the outside to get out of the Sharpshooter. Shortly after this, Rusev knocks Cesaro off of the top rope, following it up with a stiff kick to the face, finally keeping Cesaro down for the three-count, picking up the win and earning the right to challenge John Cena for the United States Championship.
After surviving a grueling Triple Threat Match to earn the opportunity, “The Bulgarian Brute” Rusev, with Summer Rae in his corner, would challenge John Cena for the United States Championship on RAW. Rusev would manage to lock in the Accolade on John Cena, but, in what has become a regular occurrence, Kevin Owens would ruin a perfectly good title match as Owens attacks Rusev, ending the match by disqualification. Owens then follows this up with the Pop-Up Powerbomb to Rusev before Owens screams at the United States Champion that he is the one who is going to take the title from John Cena.
RAW would see the re-emergence of Stardust as the space-obsessed enigma would go one-on-one with “The Man That Gravity Forgot” Neville. In the end, it was Stardust countering a roll-up by Neville into a roll-up of his own, grabbing the tights for the illegal advantage, scoring the three-count to pick up the win.
With Kane apparently having a “plan” for the night’s proceedings, it was then time for the official contract signing for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Battleground. With Director of Operations Kane by his side, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring first, saying that he is tired of watching the footage of Brock Lesnar destroying the Cadillac CTS from last week. The champion then shows his own piece of footage as Rollins shows the Rollins-led beat down of Brock Lesnar at the hands of The Authority three weeks ago. Rollins then states that he is “not afraid” of Brock Lesnar, saying that he will defeat Brock Lesnar at Battleground and he will leave Suplex City in “ashes” and will leave Battleground as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. “The Beast” Brock Lesnar then makes his way to the ring for the contract signing with his advocate Paul Heyman in tow. Lesnar is the first to take his seat, followed shortly by a nervous Seth Rollins. Paul Heyman says that, since Seth Rollins sold his soul to The Authority, the fans have wanted to see someone get their hands on Rollins and, ever since Rollins “stole” the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, Brock Lesnar has wanted to get his hands on Seth Rollins. Heyman continues, saying that all the “pressure” is on the champion and the world is paying to see Rollins get his “ass kicked”, saying that every single person will get their “money’s worth”. Heyman then says that Rollins is going to be “dethroned” this Sunday and, at Battleground, Rollins is going to “Suplex City” and he is going to be dragged there by the “real future of WWE” Brock Lesnar.
The nervous and annoyed champion signs the contract first, followed by Brock Lesnar, but as “The Beast” signs the contract, Paul Heyman notices that Seth Rollins is reaching under the table for something. Heyman immediately calls attention to the champion’s shady actions and Rollins accuses Heyman of being “paranoid”. However, the champion is quick to leap to his feet once Brock Lesnar turns the table over, revealing that either Rollins or Kane had stashed an axe handle underneath the table! “The Beast” picks up the axe handle, turns the table back over, and places the handle down before sitting back in his seat. The nervous champion also sits down in his chair, slowly inching towards the table until he is within reach of the axe handle. Rollins then grabs his weapon, but the champion would not get to use it as Brock Lesnar shoves the table into the face of Seth Rollins before going after Kane in the corner. The champion would try to get involved, but “The Beast” would suplex Rollins across the ring before taking Kane to the outside. The Director of Operations would then pull the #1 Contender to the outside before Seth Rollins tries to dive onto Brock Lesnar, but “The Beast” would catch the champion. However, before Lesnar could deliver the F-5, Kane takes Lesnar down a kick to the chest before sending Lesnar into the steel ring post. Seth Rollins then grabs the axe handle, delivering a shot to “The Beast” before Rollins holds Lesnar in place while Kane picks up the top half of the steel steps.
The champion then sends Lesnar into the steel steps before Rollins would attempt to deliver a Pedigree to “The Beast” on the bottom half of the steel steps. However, Brock Lesnar would fight back, sending Rollins into the barricade before blocking a chokeslam attempt by Kane. “The Beast” then delivers a huge F-5 to Kane on the arena floor before Brock Lesnar turns his attention back to Seth Rollins, but Rollins would again use his speed to make a hasty retreat, escaping into the crowd yet again. Unfortunately for the Director of Operations, Seth Rollins’ actions would put Kane in very bad situation as Brock Lesnar would focus his anger on Kane, placing Kane’s ankle on the bottom half of the steel steps before using the top half of the steps to crush the ankle of the Director of Operations! Brock Lesnar would then enter the ring and, much like last week, Brock Lesnar would pick up the WWE World Heavyweight Title belt, holding the title belt high before placing it in the ring before Lesnar and Heyman walk to the back, having taken out the last of Seth Rollins’ backup.
With Brock Lesnar nowhere in sight, Seth Rollins would cautiously return to the ring, tossing chairs around in a fit of rage. As Kane receives medical attention on the outside, Rollins grabs a microphone, saying that Brock Lesnar has always believed that he is “untouchable” and, while Lesnar has run through the likes of John Cena, The Undertaker, and Roman Reigns, “The Beast” has not run through Seth Rollins. The champion then says that he took the title from Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania because he is “better” than Brock Lesnar and, at Battleground, he is going to do what no other man has been able to do when he proves that Brock Lesnar is a man and he can be beat. The champion then vows that he is going to “slay the beast” this Sunday before exiting the ring. Rollins then turns his attention to Kane, who is still receiving medical attention, asking the Director of Operations how his “plan” worked out. Rollins then says that Kane’s plan worked out just the rest of Kane’s career, calling Kane’s career “one big disappointment”, saying that Kane is “nothing” without him, calling Kane a “wannabe Hall of Famer” and a “piece of crap” before saying that everything that happened is “on you”. The champion then stomps on the already injured ankle of Kane before Seth Rollins storms up the ramp, holding the WWE World Heavyweight Title belt high, having lost all of his allies, but maintaining his over-confidence.
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