Welcome to the final edition of Monday Night Raw before Sunday’s Great Balls of Fire PPV!
Tonight’s show is anchored by the return of Brock Lesnar, who will defend his Universal Championship for the first time since WrestleMania on Sunday. Lesnar has had to sit back and watch as Samoa Joe took centre stage for this feud and even attacked his advocate Paul Heyman. So Lesnar decided to pay Joe a visit and was promptly choked down by the Samoan Bulldozer! One week from the huge showdown, Lesnar will definitely want to regain some momentum, meanwhile Samoa Joe is on the roll of a lifetime and fans are hungry for more!
Speaking of being hungry and never satisfied, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns will also have a gargantuan showdown at Great Balls of Fire – which ironically might be the best card for a terribly named PPV ever. The two big canines will fight for ownership of the back yard in an Ambulance Match and I would be shocked if we didn’t see said ambulance come into play one more time this week, seeing as Braun threw Roman into it last week and sent him packing. Fans will hope to see more of the same this week.
Last week’s main event saw Sasha Banks defeat the seemingly unstoppable Nia Jax, who had already bested Emma, Mickie James, Dana Brooke, and Bayley, in a Gauntlet Match to become number one contender. Banks’ win was pretty surprising but sets-up an exciting showdown at Great Balls of Fire. The Champion Alexa Bliss came to the ring after the match and shoved her title in Banks’ face but was promptly met with a dropkick to her own dentures! Expect more fireworks tonight ahead of the 4th of July!
Elsewhere on tonight’s show, Enzo Amore was ceremoniously dumped by Big Cass for the second week in a row and it seems inevitable that these two will have a showdown on Sunday night. The match hasn’t yet been announced but surely tonight is the night. And then there’s Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt who’ve done more talking in the past three weeks than Undertaker did in over 30 years, so hopefully we get something more substantial tonight.
All that and more to look forward to on tonight’s show. Don’t forget to check out the Ringside News app, as well as our new Ringside Talk app, which allows you to converse with all your fellow marks! Let us know your thoughts and feelings and enjoy the show!
Raw begins with a look at last week’s segment with Enzo and Big Cass. We come to the arena and out comes Enzo Amore to a great reaction.
Enzo comes to the ring and introduces himself. He then says this past year he has been knocked out on PPV, beaten-up in hotel rooms, walked backstage naked, taken sensitivity training, thrown off ladders, thrown down the ramp, and all with the crowd support behind him.
He says Big Cass was also behind his back but Cass wasn’t watching his back he was looking past it at his own future. He says Cass doesn’t care about his silver-tongued friend with the heart of gold but tonight he’s about to go platinum on this microphone.
He says there is nothing that Big Cass or Conor McGregor can do to him that hasn’t happened already. Enzo says given all that he has gone through this year, he’s certain that he is one of the toughest Superstar’s to step in the ring in years. He says he is a real guy, a confident guy who believes in himself. He’s grateful for everything that has happened to him, for everyone wearing a Certified G t-shirt, and him standing here is proof that his mouth has never dug him a hole that he couldn’t climb out of. He knows where he’s going, straight to the top, and he’s climbed out of holes much deeper than seven feet.
He says Big Cass is nothing more than a 7-foot catchphrase that he wrote. And Cass said that his mouth writes cheques his ass can’t cash, but nobody bounces cheques harder than Enzo Amore. And next quarter when that merchandise cheque comes through the door, don’t be surprised when it reads zero dimes. Unless of course you start wearing a shirt that reads “Casshole” and Enzo drops the mic.
We see Big Cass watching on a monitor backstage and Charly Caruso comes up to him. Enzo says he has never heard someone talk for that long and say nothing. He says Enzo thinks he can walk the walk but come Sunday, he won’t be walking at all. He says he’s more than a catchphrase, he’s where the money is. Enzo suddenly attacks Cass from behind and the two brawl before being torn apart by referee’s!
Sasha Banks’ music hits and out comes The Boss alongside Bayley! We’re set for tag team action after the break!
*Commercial Break*
Sasha Banks & Bayley Vs. Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax
The match begins with Bayley and Nia Jax. Nia takes control early and slams Bayley to the mat before kicking her in the corner. Bayley turns the tables and kicks Nia in the corner before delivering two sloppy dropkicks.
Bayley tags Sasha Banks and they double dropkick Nia who doesn’t fall. Nia reverses an Irish whip from Sasha only to get shoved into the corner and then dropkicked from the ring. Nia climbs to the apron but rather than get back into the ring she shoves Bayley from the apron and into the barricade. Nia shoves Sasha away before climbing off of the apron and hitting Bayley with a running knee into the barricade.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break to see Alexa Bliss get taken down with a Lou Thesz Press from Sasha Banks! The Boss throws Bliss into the corner and chokes her with her boot before slamming her to the mat for a two count.
Bliss throws Banks to the corner where she attacks the big lady! Bliss then looks for double knee’s to Alexa in the corner but nobody’s home and Nia is tagged in. Jax lands a backbreaker on Sasha, then two elbow drops to the lower back for a two count. Bayley was taken to the back during the commercial.
Nia gets Sasha in a bear hug. Nia throws Sasha to the corner and Nia runs at her but misses. Bliss is tagged in and stomps on Sasha before The Boss responds with a big slap to the face. Bliss knocks Sasha down and stands on her hair as she pulls her up by the arms!
Sasha hits Alexa with a cross-arm neckbreaker after a sloppy sequence, then knocks Nia from the apron. Sasha gets Alexa in the Bank Statement out of nowhere and the Champion taps!
Winner: Sasha Banks
Sasha didn’t need Bayley for the win. I don’t understand the route they’re taking with Bayley, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
We see Kurt Angle on the phone backstage and he’s being grilled. Braun Strowman walks in and asks what happens when Roman doesn’t show-up at Great Balls of Fire. Angle says that Roman will be there and Braun disagrees. Angle says that as for tonight, he doesn’t think anyone wants to face Braun ahead of the PPV but the big man says he will be in the ring tonight, awaiting competition.
After the break we will take an in-depth look at the Samoa Joe/Brock Lesnar rivalry, and later tonight the two will have a sit-down interview. Don’t forget, tomorrow night, July 4th, John Cena returns to SmackDown Live!
*Commercial Break*
A video package runs with interviews featuring Samoa Joe and WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar to hype the title match this Sunday at Great Balls of Fire.
*Commercial Break*
Cedric Alexander comes to the ring for some cruiserweight action. He grabs a microphone and says he has said time and time again that the drama between himself, Noam Dar, and Alicia Fox is over, but they won’t listen. So tonight, Alexander asks Noam to come down to the ring, and end it once and for all.
Cedric Alexander Vs. Noam Dar
Alicia Fox distracts Alexander briefly at ringside, who is in a neckbrace. Dar works over the left arm of Alexander and gets in a stomp. Alexander with a big chop to Dar.
Fox distracts Alexander, but Alexander is able to roll through a pinfall attempt by Dar and drop Dar’s back over his knees to get the pinfall.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
After the match Alicia freaks out and pulls off her neckbrace, proving herself to be fine.
Michael Cole talks about last week’s Miz TV with LaVar Ball. We’re getting an episode of Miz TV after the break!
*Commercial Break*
We return live in Phoenix with WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Maryse, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas all inside the ring. Miz talks about “bringing the ratings” last week with LaVar and Lonzo Ball. “Mark my words: Lonzo Ball will be the biggest bust in NBA history. He will let down more fans than Steve Nash ever did.” He talks about making Axel and Dallas “featured stars” in his entourage. Miz talks about Dean Ambrose being wasted potential. He says when Ambrose arrived, he saw the promise and so did others backstage. “Dean Ambrose can’t handle success.” Miz says every time Ambrose was a main eventer, he caved under the pressure and he saw it. “He can’t be a top guy like me.”
Dean Ambrose walks out to interrupt. He says after that trainwreck last week he wasn’t sure if we’d ever see a MizTV segment again. Ambrose talks about Miz’s new “goon squad” and that everything he said about him was true. He doesn’t care that Miz has an entourage and wants his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship tonight.
Heath Slater and Rhyno walk out. Slater doesn’t want to be rude, but the last man to beat Miz in the ring wasn’t Dean Ambrose. “It was Heath Slater.” He talks about never getting a shot at the Intercontinental Championship or any single title in WWE. “I’ve been here for 8 years. I got a family. I got kids.” Slater wants this opportunity.
Ambrose thinks Slater should wait his turn. Miz says Ambrose will get his rematch when he decides. He also rejects Slater’s challenge for a title match. Miz says they have a 4th of July party to attend that begins at the strike of Midnight.
RAW General Manager Kurt Angle walks out on stage with a big smile on his face. Big reaction for Angle in Phoenix. Angle says Miz can’t make decisions like that. Miz tells Angle to go talk to Corey Graves about his personal problems and stay out of his business. Angle tells Miz to watch it. He books a rematch between Miz and Ambrose at Great Balls of Fire this Sunday, but also reveals Miz will defend his title against Slater next.
*Commercial Break*
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
(C) The Miz Vs. Heath Slater
Back live, we get ring introductions for the challenger Heath Slater and the champion The Miz who will wrestle in his suit with no time to prepare. Dean Ambrose is joining Michael Cole, Booker T and Corey Graves on commentary during the match.
Slater with a roll up early on Miz. Slater with more pinfall attempts and Miz continues to kick out. Miz with a headlock takedown. A loud “EC DUB” chant breaks out towards Rhyno at ringside. Slater with a big hip toss on Miz. Slater again with another pinfall attempt with a backslide for a two count.
Slater with chops to Miz in the corner after tearing his shirt open. Slater pulls the shirt over Miz’s head and throws right hands. Slater with a nasty looking inverted atomic drop and cover on Miz for a two count. Miz retreats from the ring and regroups with Dallas and Axel.
*Commercial Break*
Miz drops Slater over his knee and then connects with a neckbreaker. Miz split open his dress pants during the match as he trades rights with Slater. Miz kicks away the leg of Slater and connects with a spike DDT for a two count. Miz dumps Slater out of the ring. Rhyno walks up and threatens to attack Axel and Dallas at ringside.
Back inside, Miz with front kicks to Slater. Slater ends up dumping Miz on his face. Slater with repeated clotheslines and then a high knee that catches Miz flush. Slater catches Miz with a neckbreaker bouncing off the ropes. Miz kicks out. Miz is up top. Slater jumps up and connects with a powerslam on Miz off the top rope!
Rhyno goes after Axel, but almost hits Maryse and Dallas and Axel start double teaming Rhyno at ringside. Slater is distracted. Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Winner: The Miz
After the match, The Miz tosses Heath Slater out. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas attack Slater. Dean Ambrose runs down, gets in a few shots and tries to hit Dirty Deeds on Miz. Miz escapes. Axel and Dallas double team Ambrose with a back suplex into a neckbreaker. The Miz picks up Ambrose and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz and the Miztourage celebrate.
*Commercial Break*
We see Apollo Crews backstage and he’s joined by Titus O’Neil. They joke for a second until Titus suggests that Apollo take on Braun Strowman tonight. Apollo says he’s a new father and that’s a bad idea. Titus paints a picture for Apollo as to what his daughter will think of him if he beats Braun Strowman. Apollo likes the idea and agrees to face Strowman tonight.
Goldust is sitting in the ring when we return live. He wants to introduce everyone to his latest masterpiece: The Shattered Truth. Goldust thanks the fans and R-Truth the most for being so naive. Footage is shown of Goldust attack R-Truth. When we return live, R-Truth is standing behind Goldust and eating popcorn. Truth tackles Goldust and starts attacking him. Truth sends Goldust shoulder first into the steel ring post.
Backstage, WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro walk in to talk with Kurt Angle. Angle wants to talk to the stipulation for this Sunday at Great Balls of Fire against The Hardy Boyz. He suggests a 30 Minute Iron Man match. Sheamus agrees with the decision. Cesaro wants a match with Finn Balor. Angle books it.
Seth Rollins is in action next.
*Commercial Break*
Before the match begins, Hawkins says that he lost last week because the fans in Los Angeles did not believe in him. He says maybe tonight will be different with the dummies in Phoenix. Rollins grabs the mic and says that he and the people of Phoenix want Hawkins to shut up and he hits him.
Seth Rollins Vs. Curt Hawkins
The bell rings, Hawkins swings for a clothesline and Seth ducks, grabs Hawkins from behind and hits the jumping knee for the win.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Rollins takes the mic again and addresses Bray Wyatt. Rollins says that Bray talks about being a God but does nothing to prove it. He says that on Sunday night he will make Bray prove whether or not he is a God or just a coward.
After the break we will get a split-screen interview with Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar, ahead of their title match at Great Balls of Fire.
*Commercial Break*
We return and Michael Cole introduces both Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar. Before Cole can talk any further, Samoa Joe cuts him off and says nobody wants to hear his questions. Since he became number one contender, all he has done is make statements and he wants to asks some questions.
Joe starts to address Paul Heyman but Brock Lesnar interrupts him. Lesnar says this is between them, not Joe and Heyman. Lesnar says Joe is a coward who attacks from behind, to which Joe says he isn’t a hard man to find. Joe reminds Lesnar that he has attacked him week after week, even attacked Paul Heyman, and still Brock has done nothing.
“Let’s go champ,” adds Joe. Joe points out they have Lesnar quarantined somewhere in the building to keep him away. Lesnar drops all the big names he’s defeated before. Joe brings up beating Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Lesnar and Heyman laugh asking if this is really happening. Joe asks why they are playing around and suggests they do this face to face.
Lesnar tells Joe to come find him. We see a shot of Joe backstage walking around looking for Lesnar and Heyman. WWE producers are trying to hold Joe back as he keeps yelling for Brock. Kurt Angle tells him he has six days. Angle looks over at a door and Joe opens it. Joe is being held back. Lesnar dares Joe to come at him. Joe is yelling loudly at Lesnar. “I’ll put you down. Let’s go champ!” Security takes Joe away.
*Commercial Break*
Neville Vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali with a shoulder block early, but Neville flips right back up. Ali with a kick to the face and follows it up with a dropkick that drops Neville. Ali with a head scissors takedown on Neville. Ali with a top rope cross body for a very close two count.
Ali goes up top and Neville cuts him off. Neville is standing up top with Ali. Neville launches Ali off the top rope. Neville lands on his neck and Ali lands on his feet. Ali with a spike DDT on Neville for another close two count. Ali is back up top and Neville knocks him off the top to the outside.
Neville brings Ali back in and hits repeated kicks to the face in the corner. Neville launches Ali in the air and Ali lands with a thud. Neville levels Ali with a big clothesline when Ali flipped back in. Neville applies the Rings of Saturn. Ali gives up. Neville keeps it locked in for a few more seconds.
Winner: Neville
Neville defends the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa during the Great Balls of Fire Kickoff Show this Sunday night! Shame this match is on the pre-show.
A video airs showing Bray Wyatt walking around in a desert. We hear from Wyatt next.
*Commercial Break*
We return once again to video of Bray Wyatt standing in a desert. He’s talked about his first 100 days on RAW including “The Beast” grasping for air from Samoa Joe. “I am Bray Wyatt and I am everywhere.” He asks Seth Rollins if he can hear him. “This Sunday you will look into the eyes of a God,” adds Wyatt as the video concludes.
Backstage, WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss is asked if Sasha Banks winning tonight is any indication of what will happen this Sunday. Bliss isn’t worried. She says she let Sasha win to give her a false sense of security.
Finn Balor heads to the ring. He’s in action next.
*Commercial Break*
Finn Balor vs. Cesaro w/ Sheamus
Before the match begins, The Hardy Boyz walk out to a big reaction. They will join Michael Cole, Booker T and Corey Graves on commentary tonight.
Balor with a side headlock early on Cesaro. Balor kicks out the knees of Cesaro and throws kicks to the chest. Cesaro catches Balor and connects with a nasty backbreaker. Balor dropkicks Cesaro in the face off a counter. Balor throws chops at Cesaro in the corner. Balor with more chops.
Sheamus distracts Balor allowing Cesaro to toss Balor to the corner and get in some big stomps. Cesaro and Balor exchange chops. Cesaro dumps Balor out of the ring.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Balor with a roll up, gets a two count and Cesaro drops him with a clothesline. Cesaro with a gutwrench powerbomb on Balor for another two count. Cesaro catches Balor and hits a quick vertical suplex! Balor counters Cesaro and connects with a jumping stomp to the chest. Balor with a dropkick to the side of Cesaro’s shoulder. Cesaro rolls out and Balor catches him with a dropkick through the ropes. Balor with a huge kick to the face of Cesaro off the ring apron.
Back inside, Balor connects with the sling blade on Cesaro. Balor is waiting for Cesaro to get up. Elias Samson with a distraction on the outside playing his guitar. Cesaro lifts Balor up and connects with an uppercut. Balor kicks out. Cesaro with a running uppercut to Balor. Cesaro with another uppercut. Balor with a kick to Cesaro up on the top turnbuckle. Sheamus is distracting the referee. Samson trips up Balor.
The Hardy Boyz leave the commentary table and attack Samson and Sheamus. Cesaro is launched over the top rope. Balor with a dive to the outside taking out everyone! Cesaro bounces Balor knee first off the ring apron.
Matt Hardy with a Twist of Fate on Samson. Brogue Kick by Sheamus on Matt. Jeff Hardy dives and takes out Sheamus. Cesaro with a huge uppercut to Jeff. Balor dropkicks Cesaro into the barricade. Balor tosses Cesaro back inside the ring, Balor goes up top and connects with his Coup De Grace for the win.
Winner: Finn Balor
Finn and The Hardy’s stand tall in the ring while Cesaro, Sheamus and Samson retreat up the ramp.
Braun Strowman is shown making his way ringside as we head to a break!
*Commercial Break*
We return and see an ambulance make it’s way into the arena. We see footage of last week’s brawl by Braun and Roman.
Braun makes his way to the ring. He says there are few things he likes more in this world than hurting Roman Reigns. He says he likes that Roman is too stubborn to stay down, so he gets to keep doing it. He says last week he put Roman in the ambulance and he still thinks he can step to him. Braun says if Roman shows-up on Sunday he will leave the same way he did last week.
As for tonight, he still wants competition. He tells Angle to send out whoever he found to face him. Braun awaits his opponent. Titus O’Neil’s music hits and out comes the man with the brand.
Titus says that Braun is a big man with a big plan but you know what they say: everyone has a plan until they get punched. He says he would have no problem coming down and slapping the taste out of Braun’s mouth but tonight is special. He introduces Apollo Crews with a fiery promo.
Apollo Crews Vs. Braun Strowman
Crews takes the fight to Braun right away, attacking him and putting him in the corner. Crews takes the back of Strowman before being thrown into the ropes and booted. Strowman roars at Apollo before lifting him and throwing him from the ring.
Apollo returns to the ring and Strowman puts him down with a neck wrench. Strowman again tosses Apollo from the ring and Titus shouts at him to get back up. Titus runs back in and finds a second wind. He chops at the beast until he falls to one knee. Apollo dropkicks Strowman and then looks for a standing moonsault but Strowman kicks him in mid-air, sending him flying across the ring!
Strowman lifts Apollo and hits him with the running powerslam but stops the referee’s pin attempt. Strowman hits another powerslam, then another before taking the win.
Winner: Braun Strowman
After the match Strowman lifts Apollo and looks for another running powerslam but Titus pulls Apollo off of his shoulder and climbs into the ring. Strowman and Titus stare-off.
Titus throws a punch but gets bulldozed by Strowman, who then lifts him and hits a running powerslam. Strowman leaves the ring and drags Apollo outside and throws him over the barricade. Strowman climbs into the crowd with Apollo and drags him through the arena up to the ambulance. Strowman throws Apollo into the ambulance, closes the doors and slaps the back of it. The ambulance doesn’t drive off, so he slaps it again and the sirens start. Again he slaps it but nothing happens, so Braun goes to the driver’s door and opens it to find Roman Reigns!
Roman punches Stroman and they brawl around the ambulance until Braun throws him into the vehicle. Reigns is thrown into the barricade, then onto the stage. The two brawl on the stage, then Reigns shoves Strowman into the LED screen on the stage and it almost breaks. Roman runs and Spears Strowman off of the stage through a table! Roman slowly climbs to his feet and the commentators point out that even if Reigns can do this on Sunday he still has to drag Braun to the ambulance. The camera turns to see Braun walking over by the ambulance. Strange ending to the show with both guys just walking off.
That’s it for this week’s Raw! What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments and join us tomorrow night for SmackDown Live and then again on Sunday for Great Balls of Fire!
