Welcome to WWE Monday Night Raw, just 24 hours removed from TLC!
The Beast returns to Monday Night Raw to respond to the challenge made by SmackDown Live’s Jinder Mahal. Last Tuesday night, Mahal issued a challenge to Brock Lesnar for Survivor Series, Champion Vs. Champion. This seems like a terrible idea for the Modern Day Maharaja, but it makes for an interesting match at Survivor Series. The Beast is likely to accept the challenge on tonight’s show, maybe even scoff at it.
At last night’s PPV, Kurt Angle literally joined The Shield to help defeat The Miz, The Bar, Kane & Strowman. It was a really fun match that saw Angle get taken out with a running powerslam, only to return later on and lay the smackdown on his foes. Angle kicked out of a Skull Crushing Finale before pinning Miz with an Angle Slam. His return to the ring was very promising and the fans were totally into it. During the match however, Kane turned on Strowman, leading to a total beatdown and seeming murder of the monster among men. This seemed like a babyface turn for Strowman and a probable feud with Kane going forward. But where does Angle go? The Shield? The Miz? Hopefully we find out the answers to these questions tonight.
Asuka debuted at TLC last night and she successfully dispatched Emma to remain undefeated. It was a solid debut from Asuka but I’m excited to see where she goes from here. Does she jump into a title feud with Alexa Bliss and begin a nice lengthy reign as Champion? Or does she make her way through the roster first? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and on the Ringside Talk app. Enjoy the show!
Monday Night Raw opens with a recap of TLC’s main event, in which The Shield and Kurt Angle defeated The Miz and his friends.
Kurt Angle makes his way to the ring to a great applause and the commentators talk-up his accomplishment.
Angle says that every story has a beginning, middle, and end. And last night he wrote a new chapter. He thought it couldn’t get any better when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, but last night, competing in a WWE ring for the first time in 11 years was amazing. But that was last night, and this is tonight.
Kurt Angle announces that Survivor Series will be Raw Vs. SmackDown this year. Alexa Bliss will face Natalya, Baron Corbin will face The Miz, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose will face The Uso’s, and Brock Lesnar will face Jinder Mahal. Those are the Champion Vs. Champion matches, however there will also be two elimination matches, one with the men and one with women from both brands. He says as the General Manager of Raw, he wants his brand to be the best. Angle turns to walk out but The Miz interrupts.
Miz says this is his show and Angle was selfish to step in for Roman Reigns last night at TLC. Miz tells Angle he should resign as General Manager but Angle refuses. Miz says he doesn’t want Angle to go anywhere tonight. Angle tries to excuse himself when all four surround the ring and get up on the apron.
Here comes Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose walking down through the crowd in Shield gear. They all bail and Miz accuses Rollins and Ambrose of sucking up to management. Angle books The Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and a superstar who attended TLC Last night and decided to stick around, and out comes SmackDown Live’s AJ Styles!
*Commercial Break*
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose & AJ Styles Vs. The Miz, Sheamus & Cesaro
We start with Seth Rollins and Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior with a shoulder block early but Rollins returns with kicks to Sheamus in the corner before he tags in Dean Ambrose. Dean with a sliding down clothesline. Ambrose with elbows to Sheamus in the corner but then a tag to Cesaro who drops a leg over Ambrose. Cesaro plants Ambrose with a scoop slam. Tag to Rollins who dropkicks Cesaro coming off the ropes.
Tag to AJ Styles who throws chops at Cesaro to great effect. Styles with a series of roll ups on Cesaro. Styles catches Cesaro with a kick in the corner, but a distraction from Miz allows Cesaro to bounce Styles jaw first over the top rope. Tag to Miz who kicks the ribs of Styles. Sheamus and Cesaro knocks Ambrose and Rollins off the corner.
Sheamus, Cesaro and Miz all stomp over Styles. Rollins pulls Cesaro out and tosses him into the barricade. Miz and Sheamus are tossed over. Styles, Ambrose and Rollins all leap over the top rope taking out Sheamus, Cesaro and Miz. They pose as we head to commercial.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Cesaro grounding Ambrose with a chicken wing. The crowd, along with Rollins and Styles, try to will Ambrose to his feet but Sheamus gets the tag and double teams Ambrose in the corner with Cesaro. Sheamus with big knees and tags Cesaro back in.
Double clothesline by Sheamus and Cesaro on Ambrose. Ambrose with a suplex on Cesaro. Sheamus gets the tag, comes off the top, avoids Dirty Deeds, hits a high knee, but Ambrose fires back with his clothesline off the ropes. Tag to Miz. Hot tag to Rollins who springboards in and clears house on Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro.
Rollins with a blockbuster and Falcon Arrow on Miz. Styles is in with a Pele Kick to Sheamus. Cesaro takes out Styles. Ambrose takes out Cesaro. Miz with a kick to Ambrose. Rollins sends Sheamus over. Miz kicks the knee of Rollins and connects with a quick spike DDT for a close two count.
*Commercial Break*
We return live as Rollins rolls up Miz for a two count. Miz tosses Rollins out and distracts the referee allowing Sheamus and Cesaro to jump down. Ambrose gets involved to stop it and brawls with Sheamus into the crowd. Rollins levels Miz with a clothesline on the outside. Cesaro tosses Miz back in and gets the tag to cut off Rollins. Tag to Styles.
Styles levels Cesaro with a clothesline and a diving forearm. Styles splashes Cesaro in the corner and connects with his neckbreaker over his knee for a two count. Sheamus distracts Styles. This sets up a big uppercut by Cesaro. Rollins breaks up the pin. Sheamus hits the corner. Rollins and Ambrose send Miz over the top rope. Ambrose and Rollins both duck a clothesline from Sheamus and dive out. All alone in the ring, Styles catches Cesaro with his Phenomenal Forearm springboarding off the top rope for the win.
Winners: Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose & AJ Styles
After the match the winners are celebrating when Kane’s music explodes and interrupts them. He walks straight down to the ring and all three men are waiting for him. Rollins attacks Kane first but eats a big boot, then Ambrose gets knocked away and Styles gets thrown from the ring. The Miz and The Bar return and beat-down Ambrose and Rollins. Kane throws Ambrose from the ring and then leaves in rather anti-climatic fashion.
Later tonight, Asuka makes her Raw debut and Brock Lesnar responds to Jinder Mahal.
*Commercial Break*
We are back live as Kane remains in the ring. Highlights from last night’s main event at TLC is shown including Kane giving Braun Strowman a chokeslam through the stage and then putting Strowman inside a garbage truck with help from Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro.
In the ring, Kane has a mic and addresses Braun Strowman. He talks about how he was described as a Monster Among Men and how he took out Big Show and Roman Reigns. Kane liked what he heard, but he had to see it for himself. “What I saw was a pile of trash.” Kane says he put Strowman where he belonged last night: in a garbage truck. “I am and will always RAW’s only monster.” He says with Braun gone, he wants competition or else.
Well, someone answers Kane’s call and that man is Finn Balor!
*Commercial Break*
Finn Balor Vs. Kane
The bell rings and Kane quickly tosses Balor into the corner. Balor responds with leg kicks, but gets leveled with a quick shoulder block by Kane. Kane with uppercuts and kicks to Balor in the corner. Balor catches Kane with a kick to the face from the ring apron. Kane levels Balor with a big boot. Balor with a dropkick to Kane through the ropes and connects with his high knee off the ring apron.
Kane remains on his feet, Balor jumps down, charges and Kane catches him. Kane drives Balor spine first into the barricade and then the side of the ring. Kane with charges to Balor in different corners and connects with a side slam. Balor drops Kane over the steel steps on the outside. Balor with the Sling Blade. Balor is going up top. Kane pulls Balor down off the top rope and connects with a big chokeslam. Kane then lands a second and third chokeslam with on Balor and gets the pinfall!
Winner: Kane
That seems like a pointless way to bring Balor down after an amazing match last night.
Later tonight, Kurt Angle will announce members of RAW’s Survivor Series men’s team tonight. Also, Brock Lesnar returns to Raw.
Backstage, Angle is on the phone when Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon walks in. Angle and McMahon hug. Angle asks how Shane is feeling after Hell in a Cell. Shane says he is still recovering. Angle thanks him for loaning out AJ Styles and how he’d like to see him on RAW for good. He predicts RAW will win easily at Survivor Series. Shane disagrees and predicts Smackdown will annihilate RAW.
Asuka is in action after the break.
*Commercial Break*
It’s time for Asuka, who makes her way to the ring to a subdued reaction.
Asuka Vs. Emma
Emma with a big kick early to Asuka. Asuka responds with body kicks. Asuka immediately pulls guard and goes for an armbar early on Emma. Emma reaches the ropes. Asuka hits the ropes and knocks Emma off the ring apron to the outside floor.
Emma drives Asuka shoulder first into the ring post and follows with a butterfly suplex. Emma catches Asuka with a lariat. Emma drives Asuka with force to the corner. Asuka drops an elbow over Emma to turn the tide. Emma sends Asuka face first into the second turnbuckle. Emma attempts a roll up. Asuka counters into a rear naked choke. Emma taps out.
Winner: Asuka
Asuka celebrates after the match and the announcrs say she is here to dominate Raw. Rather fittingly, Alexa Bliss is shown backstage, making her way to the ring!
*Commercial Break*
WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss heads to the ring. Bliss talks about defeating future Hall of Famer and “leader of the old folks home” Mickie James. She wants to put Mickie in the past. Bliss wants to talk about Survivor Series and this year she gets to take on the “cat lady herself” Natalya. She plans to remind her that only one goddess exists in WWE despite the two brands. Bliss feels unappreciated. “Week after week I get zero respect.” She says AJ Styles and Finn Balor can get chants, but wants to know where her chants are. “Where is my appreciation?” Bliss understands she is in the Midwest so she might have to spell this next part out. She wants to start a chant and have them chant it back to her. Bliss said the chant is: “you deserve it.” The fans boo.
Here comes Mickie James to interrupt. James immediately kicks Bliss and plants her with a jumping DDT. James grabs the mic smiling. “Alexa, you do deserve it.” Short and sweet.
Backstage, Kurt Angle is watching when Bayley and Sasha Banks walk up. They talk Survivor Series when Alicia Fox walks up thinking she should lead the team. Angle says as always they can settle it in the ring and he books a Triple Threat match for tonight, with the winner becoming team leader. Bayley and Sasha walk off, satisfied, but Kurt reminds Alicia that pinfalls only count in the ring – last night she attempted one outside of it. She laughs and says he’s crazy.
Elias is up next and he promises an uninterrupted performance!
*Commercial Break*
Elias is inside the ring with his guitar. He takes a shot at Aaron Rodgers. Elias talks about getting interrupted repeatedly last night at TLC by Jason Jordan. He begins singing when a weird nose comes over the speaker system. Elias bails and grabs the mic at ringside. He is not happy with the audio technician tonight. Jason Jordan walks out instead.
*Commercial Break*
Jason Jordan Vs. Elias
We are back live as Elias has Jordan down in a headlock. Jordan tries rolling out, but Elias hangs on. On the outside, Jordan drives Elias repeatedly into the barricade in front of the Green Bay Packers at ringside. Jordan continues lifting and driving Elias into the barricade. Elias grabs his guitar and smashes it over Jordan’s shoulder. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jason Jordan
After the match, Elias walks off with what’s left of the guitar and smiles. WWE officials attend to Jason Jordan on the outside. He has a nasty-looking welt on his left arm. Elias really lays in those guitar shots.
The Beast Incarnate, the WWE Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar is out next!
*Commercial Break*
WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman make their way to the ring and Green Bay has come alive. Footage from Smackdown Live last Tuesday is shown of WWE Champion Jinder Mahal issuing a challenge to Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
Back live, both Lesnar and Heyman are smiling at Mahal’s comments. Heyman introduces himself as the advocate for the reigning, defending and undisputed Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar. He talks about someone having a problem with him using the term “undisputed” and the fact that Brock Lesnar is “the” champion WWE. Heyman says this same someone over on Smackdown Live has barely survived the title challenge of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. He talks about Lesnar eating through one of the most stacked rosters in WWE history. Heyman says that fact is undisputed.
He talks about living in the age of trashing talking. “Everyone wants to hurl insults.” Heyman says he chooses to not trash talk Lesnar’s opponent. He says anyone who makes the decision to get in the ring with Lesnar is a real man. Heyman says he didn’t trash talk Goldberg, Samoa Joe or Braun Strowman. “But you Jinder Mahal? The make-believe Maharaja. With the Sing-Sing-Singalong Brothers doing my shtick of introducing you? You’re not Brock Lesnar’s equal.” He says when they think of WWE Champions they think of Bruno Sammartino, Randy Savage, Triple H, John Cena and his client Brock Lesnar.
Heyman says Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan got shafted in the Superstar Shake-Up getting Mahal. “Any brand that brags Brock Lesnar is the number one brand.” Heyman says Mahal is going to Suplex City for questioning the facts. Heyman says the challenge is hereby accepted by the undisputed beast. Your challenge is accepted by the undisputed conquerer. Your challenge is accepted by the undisputed, number one champion in WWE! Lesnar smiles into the camera with the title over his shoulder and leaves with Heyman.
We see highlights of Enzo Amore regaining the Cruiserweight Championship at TLC. Backstage, Kalisto joins Charly Caruso and says it was his dream to be Champion. He said it would be one thing if he lost to someone he respected but he doesn’t respect Enzo Amore. Kalisto is invoking his rematch clause tomorrow on 205 Live but we have a huge tag match up next. Charly and Kalisto are joined by several cruiserweights and they chant “Lucha” as we head to the break!
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and The Boss is out first, looking to win the right to become the leader of Team Raw at Survivor Series.
Triple Threat Match
Sasha Banks Vs. Bayley Vs. Alicia Fox
The match begins and Fox lands a dropkick to Banks and a kick early to Bayley. Fox drops Banks when she takes her back. Fox with a northern lights suplex on Bayley for a two count. Fox with another northern lights on Banks for a two count. Bayley and Banks dropkick Fox out of the ring. More dropkicks by Banks and Bayley preventing Fox from getting back inside.
*Commercial Break*
Banks with a spinning head scissors to Fox, knees in the corner and dumps her to the middle of the ring. Banks is up top and Fox cuts her off. We get a Tower of Doom from the corner when Fox jumped up with Banks and Bayley jumped back in to pull them down. Fox levels Bayley with a big boot in the corner.
Fox leaves the ring and starts ringing the ring bell at ringside. Fox kicks Banks in the face. Bayley to Belly. Banks breaks it up. Bayley with a clothesline tackle on Banks. Fox with a belly to belly on Bayley and kicks her out of the ring.
Banks avoids a scissors kick and hits Alicia with the Bank Statement. Fox is reaching. Banks rolls back to keep it locked in. Fox breaks free and throws Banks right into Bayley as she gets inside the ring. Fox covers Bayley and gets the pinfall!
Winner: Alicia Fox
Alicia Fox will captain the Raw Women’s Survivor Series team. Foxy celebrates her win after the match, jumping onto the barricade and posing with fans.
*Commercial Break*
Back from commercial, Enzo Amore makes his entrance, alongside his teammates, who dance with him. Enzo’s voice is sore though, so Drew Gulak will take the talking duties tonight.
Drew Gulak begins by saying he can’t stand idly by and watch a visionary like Enzo be held down by the man. Unfortunately due to a vocal chord injury, he has a prepared statement on behalf of Amore, and if you know it, feel free to sing along. Drew reads the deal off in his own unique style. He says Kalisto is a bigger letdown than the local footballmen, and the crowd starts up with the chants. They all team up to call Team Lucha! Lucha! SAWFT to close it out.
Team Lucha! Lucha! Vs. The Zo Train
We start with Kalisto and he wants Enzo Amore. Ariya Daivari teases tagging out, but doesn’t. Quick tag to Tony Nese and tag to Gran Metalik. Metalik with a missile dropkick to Nese. Dropkicks by Alexander and Swann when they jump in. Gulak is dropkicked off the ring apron into his team at ringside as we head to a commercial break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Gulak and Dar take out Ali and Alexander in the corner. Gulak with stomps to Swann in the other corner near his team. Tag to Daivari. Daivari and Swann collide both attempting a cross body. A big brawl breaks out at ringside. Enzo’s entire team is down at ringside. Daivari tags Enzo in.
Kalisto gets the tag to almost zero reaction. Kalisto with body kicks and a kick to the head. Kalisto with a knee and diving senton on Enzo. Pinfall gets broken up. Enzo drops Kalisto off the top turnbuckle and dives off the corner connecting with a DDT on Kalisto. That also gets broken up. Lots of dives to the outside. Back inside, Kalisto connects with Salida Del Sol on Enzo for the pinfall!
Winners: Team Lucha! Lucha!
Kurt Angle is on his way to the ring next, to reveal the members of Team Raw!
*Commercial Break*
RAW GM Kurt Angle heads to the ring to another big reaction from Green Bay. He talks about Survivor Series being RAW Champions vs. SmackDown Live Champions, including the best of the best on the roster. He is here tonight to announce the five members of Team RAW that will take on Team Smackdown in a few weeks”
Shane McMahon’s music hits. Shane shows up in the crowd and is leading the SmackDown Live roster to the ring! Angle has a confused look on his face as a majority of the Smackdown roster starts to surround the ring staring down Angle. Shane gets inside the ring with a mic in hand. He looks at Angle and says, “Under siege.” Angle drops his mic and starts heading up the ramp. Shane tells the blue team to go get him. The SmackDown Live roster walks up the ramp and heads to the back after Angle. We go to Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T wondering what is going on.
Backstage, we see the SmackDown Live roster walking the backstage area. They walk up on Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews. The Smackdown crew attacks Titus and Crews. Baron Corbin walks up on a production member and tosses him aside. Bobby Roode and Tye Dillinger push over a flat screen TV with the RAW logo on it.
The Smackdown Live women’s division walks up and tries going after some women backstage. Goldust, Curt Hawkins and Rhyno are attacked next backstage. Jason Jordan, Matt Hardy and Finn Balor are attacked next in the locker room area. Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Elias are attacked next. The RAW women’s division walks up and they go at it with the Smackdown women and the crowd cheer big. The SmackDown ladies put the beat down on the Raw women and the mob moves on. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose try to sneak attack the Smackdown crew, but get outnumbered quickly. Corbin and Rusev hold Kurt Angle and make him watch the attack backstage.
They drag Angle back out to the stage where Shane McMahon is still inside the ring. He tells them to bring Angle to the ring. Angle gets inside and Shane tells Corbin and Rusev to back off. Shane grabs the mic again. “At Survivor Series, I want you to bring your gold medal, what’s left of your RAW roster and we are going to finish what we started. Oh it’s true, it’s damn true.” The SmackDown Live roster slaps the ring and they all leave as Angle looks on upset. Shane motions for the troops to leave and they do so through the crowd. Statement made.
That’s it for tonight’s Raw! That was a pretty cool ending! Let us know what you thought in the comments and on the Ringside Talk app. I will see you back here tomorrow night for SmackDown Live and 205 Live! Until then, safe travels.
