Sasha Banks is backstage with Kurt Angle and draws her number for the gauntlet match.
Paul Heyman is in the ring and greets the crowd as the advocate for Brock Lesnar. Samoa Joe is the exception to the rule of everyone fearing Lesnar. Samoa Joe doesn’t fear Brock Lesnar. Joe stepped into the ring and pulled a cheap shot on Lesnar. If he wanted to start a fight in the locker room, he’d do a cheap shot because he knows everyone will pile on top of them and separate them. Joe did a cheap shot and had the roster pull them apart. Then Joe did a second cheap shot by kicking him in the face. Heyman says Joe remains fearless.
The fact that @SamoaJoe doesn’t fear @BrockLesnar does NOT impress @HeymanHustle! It proves quite the contrary… #RAW pic.twitter.com/vD8aqHV0ED
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
He then says it isn’t impressive to him. It just means Samoa Joe is a Samoan Dumbass. Samoa Joe isn’t burdened with great intelligence like him, but it takes a smart man to know when to start fearing. Now is the time to start fearing Brock Lesnar. While they’ve all enjoyed the anticipation, the bathroom break is over. Hit record because this is the moment they’ll be talking about tomorrow. Heyman is here to introduce the beast and conqueror who will call Samoa Joe out to this ring for a fight tonight. Heyman then introduces Brock Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar’s music hits, and the WWE Universal Champion makes his way to the ring. Samoa Joe attacks him from behind and locks in the Coquina Clutch! Lesnar goes down to a knee, but he fights it. Lesnar drives him into the LED stage and dents it but Joe reapplies the hold. Lesnar slams him into the stage a second time and almost breaks it. Joe reapplies the Coquina Clutch again and gets him down to a knee. Lesnar’s face is bright red and out comes referees to try to stop this. The Revival and Heath Slater run out to pull Joe off of Lesnar, who falls to the ground. Samoa Joe screams that he did that to Lesnar and he’ll go out again. A loud “Let them fight” chant fires up. Lesnar is on the ground looking stunned as we head to commercial.
He warned, @HeymanHustle… @SamoaJoe AMBUSHES @BrockLesnar and locks the #UniversalChampion in the COQUINA CLUTCH!!! #RAW pic.twitter.com/sbmxa69p63
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
*Commercial Break*
We see highlights from the previous segment between Joe and Lesnar, and what a segment it was!
Lince Dorado comes to the ring and we see Akira Tozawa watching at ringside wearing a suit and sunglasses.
Lince Dorado Vs. Neville
The bell rings, and they take their time before Neville kicks him. Neville puts him in the corner and chokes him with his boot. Neville whips him hard into the corner and taunts the crowd. Neville puts him back in the corner and slams his face off the turnbuckle. Dorado finally blocks it and tries to fight back, but Neville takes him down with a headlock. Dorado fights up and elbows out before chopping the chest.
The #GoldenLynx @LuchadorLD is looking to make his own case for #Cruiserweight Championship contention on #RAW! #205Live pic.twitter.com/JTIZKsk7L4
— 205Live (@WWE205Live) June 27, 2017
Neville kicks him in the midsection before hitting the ropes. Dorado dropkicks him to the apron and knocks him to the floor. Dorado hits a suicide dive summersault senton before putting him in the ring for a cross-body block to pick up a two count. Neville twists the mask and kicks away at him before dropkicking him in the face. Neville then applies the Rings of Saturn for the win. Neville was staring at Tozawa the whole time. Tozawa looks unimpressed.
Winner: Neville
Tozawa takes off his jacket and removes his tie. Tozawa gets in the ring, but Titus O’Neil’s music hits. O’Neil comes out to the stage. O’Neil asks why they would fight for free when he just finalized a match with them at Great Balls of Fire. We’ll find out soon if the Neville level has anything on the power of Tozawa. Neville retreats angrily.
*Commercial Break*
We return from break and see highlights from the Roman Reigns/Braun Strowman opening of tonight’s Raw. Michael Cole says that Roman Reigns “escaped” the ambulance and is looking for Braun.
Paul Heyman is walking backstage and Charly Caruso stops him for an interview. She asks about what Joe did, to which Heyman says Joe prove him correct tonight. He reiterates that Joe is the Samoan that all other Samoan’s do not associate and he attacks from behind, without honour. Heyman says Brock’s back is against the wall and, as a promoter, he loves it. He says it’s great to watch but at Great Balls of Fire Joe will enter suplex city and then he will wake-up in the trainers room and realise what it’s like to face Brock Lesnar.
The first-ever @WWE Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view will see @WWERomanReigns battle @BraunStrowman in an #AmbulanceMatch! #RAW #WWEGBOF pic.twitter.com/8Q5aXbRUeB
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
Nia Jax is walking backstage and she is stopped by Alexa Bliss. Alexa says her and Nia are a lot alike: people judge them by how they look. She says nobody thought she would succeed, even her mother laughed at her getting a WWE contract, but it’s not right. She says that Nia should go out there tonight and prove the other women that looks don’t matter. Nia isn’t falling for the sweet talk. The gauntlet match is next!
*Commercial Break*
The basic rules for the gauntlet match are: two women start, based on the numbers they drew, and whenever one loses, the 3rd entrant joins the match, then the 4th, and then the 5th. It’s a series of five matches.
Gauntlet Match
Bayley Vs. Nia Jax
The bell rings, and Jax talks trash before shoving Bayley to the ground. Bayley stomps the foot of Nia and tries for some forearms, but Jax doesn’t go down. Finally, Jax scoops her up and hits snake eyes on the turnbuckle. Jax then clotheslines her down before shouldering her in the corner.
Jax mocks her and continues to attack her before stretching her out on the ropes. Jax shoulders her in the corner, but Bayley soon sidesteps her and knees her in the face. Bayley goes to the top rope and hits an elbow drop to the back of the neck for a near fall. Bayley kicks away at her and works on the leg. Jax eventually kicks her back to the turnbuckle. Bayley goes to the top rope, but Jax crotches her up there. Jax hits the Samoan Drop for the win. Bayley is eliminated.
Bayley Is Eliminated
The #SamoanDrop of @NiaJaxWWE means it’s OVER for @itsBayleyWWE, but @MickieJames will keep this #GauntletMatch rolling NEXT! #RAW pic.twitter.com/ip5J1K7Aim
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
*Commercial Break*
Mickie James Vs. Nia Jax
We join this match in progress to see Jax dominating James. Jax applies a bear hug. James gets out and tries for a sunset flip, but Jax doesn’t go down. Jax pulls her up by the hair and reapplies the bear hug. James tries to fight back, but Jax catches her sliding through her legs.
James counters with a dropkick and kicks away at her. Jax blocks a whip and sends her to the corner. James kicks her back and goes to the top rope. James takes her down with a Thesz Press for a two count. James connects with a Mick Kick and goes for a spike DDT, but Jax throws her off. Jax avalanches her and eliminates her.
Mickie James Is Eliminated
With @MickieJames gone, is @DanaBrookeWWE prepared for the challenge of @NiaJaxWWE in this #GauntletMatch?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/5VFunxtoPb
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
Dana Brooke Vs. Nia Jax
Brooke shoves her, but Jax doesn’t go far. Jax sends her to the corner, but she misses an avalanche. Brooke goes for a handspring back elbow, but Jax shoves her down. Jax with a legdrop to eliminate Dana quickly.
Dana Brooke Is Eliminated
A HUGE opportunity for @EmmaWWE here! Can she be the one to eliminate @NiaJaxWWE from this #GauntletMatch?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/Wh6COFn4KC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
Emma Vs. Nia Jax
Emma gets in the ring and gets right out. Jax grabs her by the hair, but Emma snaps her off the top rope. Emma takes her down and dropkicks her in the face for a two count. Emma goes to the top rope and goes for a cross-body, but Jax catches her and connects with a Samoan Drop to eliminate Emma by pinfall. Another quick victory for Jax!
Emma Is Eliminated
It all comes down to THIS! @NiaJaxWWE eliminates @EmmaWWE, and the final entrant in this #GauntletMatch is #TheBoss @SashaBanksWWE! #RAW pic.twitter.com/oYY7kFJVYo
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
Sasha Banks Vs. Nia Jax
Banks punches away at her, but Jax shoves her back. Banks hits a jawbreaker and slaps her in the face. Banks pulls the ropes down to get her out of the ring. Banks goes for a suicide dive, but Jax catches her and tries for a Samoan Drop on the floor, but Banks slides off. Banks sends her into the ring post before coming off the apron with they flying double knees.
*Commercial Break*
Every time Banks tries to mount some offense, Jax easily puts her down and throws her out of the ring. Nia locks in another bear hug like she did to Mickie earlier. She lifts Sasha in the air and slams her for a quick two count. Banks counters a suplex and avoids a leg drop.
Does @SashaBanksWWE have ANY chance after this?! #RAW #GauntletMatch @NiaJaxWWE pic.twitter.com/WyPjtPs4SL
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
She hits a running knee to the face of Jax to give herself some time to recover. Banks locks in a standing Bank Statement, but Jax powers out and hits a Samoan drop. Sasha rolls toward the ropes, forcing Jax to go after her. She grabs Banks for another, but Banks counters into a submission. She wraps her legs around Nia’s arms and brings her down to the mat. Jax taps out and Banks becomes the new No. 1 contender!
Winner: Sasha Banks
SHE’S DONE IT! @NiaJaxWWE TAPS OUT to the modified #BankStatement! @SashaBanksWWE is the NEW #1Contender! #RAW #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/OKVUTBtdlD
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
After the match, Kurt Angle comes down to the ring and holds Sasha’s hand high as the fans cheer. Alexa Bliss then comes to the ring and holds the title in Sasha’s face. Sasha won’t stand for that, so she dropkick’s the Champion and grabs the title!
That’s it for this week’s Raw! What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments and be sure to come back here tomorrow night for SmackDown Live for the second-ever Women’s Money In The Bank ladder match! Until then, safe travels.