Show: RAW
Location: Pittsburgh, PA at the CONSOL Energy Center
Date: 7/25/16
Airing Live On The USA Network
Welcome to the WWE Raw pre-show, and we are live on the WWE Network. Scott Stanford, Jerry Lawler and Lita hype what we will see tonight, which is Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley addressing the entire RAW roster. The panel discussed the WWE Battleground PPV, the draft and Dean Ambrose still being WWE Champion. Two video packages for Nia Jax and Finn Balor were shown. Big Cass and Enzo Amore talked via Skype about teaming with John Cena at Battleground.
Welcome to WWE Monday Night Raw, there is a recap video of the main event of Battleground. There was a new intro video and music. Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon were in the ring and then brought out the entire roster. Mick Foley promised to bring the most action packed episode of RAW each week, and Stephanie added that Foley had full power. Stephanie brought up how Roman Reigns lost it all for all of us and how the WWE Title is on SmackDown. Stephanie called Reigns a loser. Stephanie said that there has always been a WWE Champion RAW, and now that is what we will get. Foley announced that tonight’s episode of RAW would feature two fatal four-way matches and then the winners of those matches will compete in a singles match tonight. The winner of that singles match will face Seth Rollins for the WWE Universal Championship. Competitors in tonight’s 4-way matches will be Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Rusev, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor. Charlotte will defend the Women’s Title against Sasha Banks tonight as well.
-Commercial Break-
#1 Contenders Fatal Four-way Match: Finn Balor vs. Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens vs. Rusev.
All four stars brawled at the beginning of the match. Owens with a shoulder block but Balor fought back with a drop kick. Owens rolled to the floor, and Balor followed. Cesaro sent Rusev into the barricade, and Cesaro took out Rusev with a dive onto Rusev.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Rusev and Owens in control of both Balor, and Cesaro Rusev attacked Owens moments later. Cesaro got in the ring and hit a series of uppercuts. Balor sent all three men to the floor and hit an outside dive. Back in the ring, Balor hit a series of kicks to Cesaro. Balor hit the 1916 ti Cesaro, and we cut to break.
-Commercial Break-
Following the commercial break, Balor hit the double foot stomp on Rusev for the win.
Winner: Balor.
A video package to hype Nia Jax was shown.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Nia Jax vs. Britt Baker
Jax totally beat down Baker in this match. Jax tossed her around and then hit a leg drop for the win.
Winner: Jax.
Sasha Banks cut a backstage promo about becoming the WWE Women’s Champion later in the show.
-Commercial Break-
#1 Contenders Fatal Four-way Match: Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho
All four stars brawl to begin the match. Reigns hit a powerslam to Zayn for 2. Reigns then knocked Jericho and Sheamus off the apron. Reigns with a clothesline for 2. Reigns with more clotheslines to Zayn. Zayn sent Reigns to the floor and then Sheamus hit him with some clubbing shots. Jericho with a springboard drop kick to Sheamus. Reigns clotheslines Jericho and Zayn out of the ring. Reigns with an outside dive to all three Superstars.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Jericho hitting a series of chops to Sheamus, but Sheamus fired back with a running knee. Zayn took out Sheamus with a dive off the top rope for 2. Jericho was clotheslined by Zayn and Sheamus hit Zayn with a clothesline. Reigns with a series of clotheslines to Sheamus that popped the crowd. Reigns with a samoan drop to Jericho then hit the drive by to Sheamus. Reigns with some clotheslines to Jericho and Sheamus. Zayn with the Blue Thunder Bomb to Reigns for 2. Reigns with a big boot to Zayn. Reigns hit a spear to Jericho for the win.
Winner: Reigns.
-Commercial Break-
The New Day walked out and talked about being the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions. A video package of The New Day was shown. They brought a fan from ringside into the ring asked him what his name was, which was Sonny Boy. He was an official member of New Day for that night. They then danced. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson then attacked The New Day.
-Commercial Break-
Curtis Axel was in the ring and cut a promo about being drafted last in the WWE Draft, and he said that they save the best for last.
Singles Match: Neville vs. Curtis Axel.
They lock up, and Neville hit a drop kick for 2. Neville hit a german suplex and then the Red Arrow for the win.
Winner: Neville.
-Commercial Break-
Darren Young was apologizing to Bob Backlund backstage when R-Truth and Goldust walked up playing Pokemon. Backlund went off on them then told Young to go out there again.
Charlotte cut a backstage promo about her match tonight with Banks and how she would retain the Women’s Title.
Women’s Title Match: Charlotte © vs. Sasha Banks.
Charlotte and Banks lock up. Banks with an arm drag for 2. Banks with a quick roll up for 2. Banks hit a back stabber and then with a straight jacket hold, but Charlotte fought out. Banks locked in the Bank Statement but Charlotte got out and rolled to the ring. Banks with a baseball slide and then a running knee strike off the apron. Back in the ring, Charlotte hit a neck breaker. Charlotte kicked her to ring side and then talked trash to her. Banks acted like Brooke hit her with the title and Brooke was thrown the title. Brooke was sent to the back.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Banks hit a knee strike in the corner. Charlotte cut her off with a neck breaker. Charlotte missed a moonsault off the top rope. Banks hit an outside suicide dive taking out Charlotte. A nasty bump by Banks. Back in the ring, Banks covered her for 2. Banks went to the top rope, but Charlotte cut her off and sent her body first onto the ring ropes. Charlotte hit a moonsault off the top rope to take out Banks. Back in the ring, Charlotte covered him for 2. Banks rolled up Charlotte for 2. Banks with a big boot but Charlotte followed up with the Natural Selection for 2. Charlotte locked in the Figure Eight submission, but Banks got to the ropes. Charlotte went for it again but Banks Blocked and locked in the Bank Statement but Charlotte got to the ropes. Banks hit the Bank Statement again for the win.
Winner: Banks.
-Commercial Break-
Post-match, Banks cut a promo in the ring about how it’s her time and the new era in women’s division. Banks promised to show why she is champion and why there’s only one boss in WWE every night.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Braun Strowman vs. James Ellsworth
Strowman hit a big clothesline and then hit a reverse chokeslam for the win.
Winner: Strowman.
A video package to hype Reigns was shown.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass cut a promo about RAW products until The Shining Stars walked out and told us to visit their homeland. Cass called them SAWFT.
Tag Team Match: Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Shining Stars
Amore and Epico started off the match. Amore with a crossbody to Epico. Primo was tagged in and hit a neck breaker. Amore fought back and got the hot tag to Cass, who cleaned house. Cass with a splash to Primo then a suplex followed by an elbow drop for 2. Epico was taken out by Big Cass. Primo sent Cass to the floor. R-Truth walked through the ring playing Pokemon and Cass hit Primo with a big boot for the win.
Winners: Amore and Big Cass
-Commercial Break-
#1 Contenders Match For The WWE Universal Title: Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor.
They lock up, and Reigns tossed Balor around the ring. Reigns missed a move, and Balor kicked him in the head. Reigns with a shoulder block to cut off Balor. Balor cut him off with a drop kick. Balor with a series of kicks but Reigns hit a back elbow. Reigns hit some clotheslines then Balor hit a double foot stomp and then a drop kick.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Reigns landing a series of punches and then locked in a headlock. Balor fought out of it. Balor with an up kick and went for an armbar but Reigns powered out with a powerbomb for 2. Reigns missed the Superman Punch and Balor kicked him out of the ring and then hit a drop kick. Balor with a running knee. Back in the ring, Balor hit a double foot stomp off the top rope for 2. Balor followed up with the sling blade. Reigns hit the Superman Punch out of nowhere for 2. Reigns went for a powerbomb, but Balor countered with a roll up for 2. Reigns with two powerbombs for 2. Reigns went for a spear, but Balor hit the sling blade and then a drop kick. Balor went to the top rope and hit the double foot stomp for the win!
Winner: Balor.
Post-match, Reigns cut a promo about how he thinks Balor will beat Rollins at SummerSlam and wants a rematch when he does. Balor celebrated in the ring to close the show.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
