WWE Monday Night Raw Results – August 20, 2018

Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of Monday Night Raw, less than 24 hours removed from SummerSlam.

Roman Reigns is the WWE Universal Champion. It’s taken a very long time to get here and some aren’t pleased about, but it’s long overdue. Reigns weathered Lesnar and Braun Strowman in a action-packed main event and tonight starts his new journey. Will Strowman look to cash-in his Money In The Bank and challenge Reigns? Or will a new challenger step-up? Let’s hope we find out tonight.

Ronda Rousey toppled Alexa Bliss last night to win her first ever Women’s Championship. Not only did Rousey best Alexa with a gross armbar, she did it very easily. So who steps-up to challenge Rousey now? Will Alexa invoke her rematch clause? Or will Nikki and Brie Bella come back to stake their claim? We’re only two months away from Evolution, so that card may start taking shape.

Another new Champion crowned last night was Seth Rollins! With the help of Dean Ambrose, Rollins finally ousted Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre to become the Intercontinental Champion! It’s unclear if the feud will continue, perhaps with an immediate rematch tonight, if Drew will take a shot at Seth, or if he moves on completely. And where does the Lunatic Fringe go from here?

There’s lots of questions and new directions to head on tonight’s Raw. Remember to download the Ringside News app, follow us on Instagram, and enjoy the show!

WWE Monday Night Raw opens with the WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns making his way to the ring.

Reigns is all smiles as he stands with his shiny new belt. Roman says he is a man of his word. He said he was going to beat Brock Lesnar and he did just that. A loud “You still suck” chant starts up from the crowd. He reminds us that he also said that when he won it, he would defend it. And that’s what he plans on doing tonight – which gets a good reaction.

Reigns says he would normally challenge anyone but he has one man in mind. That man won the Universal title in Brooklyn and he got hurt and never got an opportunity again. And since he won it in Brooklyn, he will defend it tonight. And the man he will defend it against is Finn Balor.

Out comes Balor and he gets in the ring. He says he accepts Roman’s challenge and he will take back his title tonight. Baron Corbin’s music hits and tells everyone to hold on. He says the match won’t happen. Corbin tells Balor he was set to face Finn Balor the man but instead he got the demon. He says that was unprofessional, cowardly and in breach of contract. He says tonight, he is facing Finn Balor the man. Roman tells Corbin if he sucked as bad as he did, he would make excuses too. Corbin tells Roman the only reason he is champion is because Brock Lesnar was more concerned with Braun Strowman than himself.

Kurt Angle’s music hits and out comes the Raw general manager. Kurt says Corbin is letting his newfound power get to his head and on Raw, he makes the matches. Kurt says he cares what Brooklyn thinks and he asks the crowd if they want to see Finn Balor against Roman Reigns for the Universal title tonight. The crowd cheers and Kurt Angle says that will be the main event tonight. Kurt Angle tells Corbin he has a match tonight, which starts right now, and his opponent is…

*Commercial Break*

We return from the break and see still images from last night’s SummerSlam.

Constable Corbin Vs. Bobby Lashley

The bell rings, Lashley shoots in, picks-up Corbin and slams him to the mat. Corbin tries to take the back of Lashley but the big man elbows him and takes him to the mat again. Lashley catches Corbin with a neckbreaker, then slams his head off of the turnbuckles a few times. Lashley whips Corbin to the ropes but the Constable slides out of the ring to regroup.

Bobby doesn’t give Baron the time though as he chases him out and slams his head on the apron. Lashley throws Corbin back inside and shoulder tackles him in the corner, before clotheslining him over the top rope. Lashley again goes out and grabs Corbin and tosses him back in. Lashley performs a box jump onto the apron but Corbin kicks his knee and Lashley crashes to the floor. Corbin then tosses Lashley into the barricade before bringing him back into the ring.

Corbin tries to ground Lashley with a chinlock but Bobby fights back and clotheslines him after a leapfrog. Lashley unloads some right hands on Corbin before lifting him up for the stalling superplex but Corbin reverses the move, running Lashley backwards until the crashes through the ropes and to the floor. Corbin then leaves the ring, runs around the corner and clotheslines Lashley. Corbin leans against the barricade and smiles as Lashley is laid out.

*Commercial Break*

We return to see Corbin keeping Lashley on the mat with a chin lock. Bobby gets to his feet but Corbin doesn’t let him get back into the match as he tosses him shoulder first into the ring post. Corbin looks to throw Lashley into the opposite ring post but Bobby reverses it and Corbin goes into the post! They trade shots in the middle of the ring until Lashley lands a clothesline, back elbow, belly-to-belly and a corner clothesline in a nice sequence.

Lashley hits Corbin with a spinebuster for the first near-fall of the match. Corbin gets back into things by choking Bobby on the top rope. Corbin takes Lashley to the top rope but gets headbutted back down. Lashley leaps from the top rope but Corbin catches him and lands a chokeslam-backbreaker for a near-fall. Corbin runs out of the ring and back in but Lashley catches him with a knee, then lands a variation of The Dominator for the win.

Winner: Bobby Lashley

We see Kurt Angle watching the match on the monitor in his office when Paul Heyman walks-in. Heyman says he’s here with a specific mission: his client would like to invoke his contractually obligated rematch clause. Angle doesn’t want to give it to him, saying Lesnar’s contract doesn’t state a specific date for that rematch. Angle says he has a fighting Champion right now and he has no desire to give Lesnar that rematch. Heyman says that’s fine because he was thinking more along the lines of Hell In A Cell, to which Angle says “fuggedaboutit”.

Later tonight, Finn Balor Vs. Roman Reigns, as well as Ronda Rousey. Up next, we’re taking a look at the storied rivalry between The Undertaker and Triple H!

*Commercial Break*

Kurt Angle is backstage and in comes Corbin. He tells him he was preparing for Balor but gave him Lashley. He says he is tired of him not giving him what he wants. Angle says his job isn’t to do what he wants. As long as he is the general manager, his job is to do what is best for the WWE universe. Corbin says Stephanie McMahon is here tonight and he will go talk to her.

They show a video package hyping up The Undertaker against Triple H at the super show-down in Australia.

Sasha Banks, Bayley & Ember Moon vs. the Riott Squad

The bell rings and Sasha and Ruby start off the match as Sasha slaps Ruby and sends her to the corner. She tags Bayley in as both women double team Ruby. Bayley tags in Moon as she goes for a roll up but Riott kicks out. She tags in Logan but Ember goes right after her with forearms.

Moon hits her with an enzigiuri and a super kick. She goes for the cover but Logan kicks out. All six women get in the ring and the Squad is knocked to the oustide. Sasha hits her diving knees from the apron, followed by Bayley with a crossbody. Moon is the only person left in the ring as she does a suicide dive onto the outside as we head to the break.

*Commercial Break*

We’re back from the break and Bayley has Liv Morgan on the mat with an armlock. Liv fights out of it and a right hand knocks Bayley to the outside. Liv tags Ruby in and Ruby goes to the outside and as STO takes Bayley down. Riott sends Bayley into the ring and goes for the cover but she kicks out.

Logan is tagged in as she pounds on Bayley. She quickly tags Liv in who attacks Bayley. She goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Liv throws Bayley in the corner and tags in Logan. All three women triple team Bayley. Logan goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Logan with a head lock on Bayley but Bayley gets out of it with a jaw breaker. Bayley tries to go for the tag but Logan stops her. She tags Riott in and Riott goes for a kick on Bayley but Bayley ducks and makes the tag to Sasha.

The Boss comes in hot with clotheslines and then delivers a double knee to the midsection on Riott in the corner. She goes for the cover but Liv Morgan breaks it up. Moon throws Liv to the outside. Moon with a suplex onto Liv on the outside. Logan clothesline Bayley on the outside. Sasha climbs the top rope but Riott takes her out and hits her with the Riott kick and gets the win!

Winners: The Riott Squad

Another win for the Riott Squad. Morgan and Logan were lost without Riott but now she’s back and all is right with the world.

Still to come, Finn Balor Vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship! Up next however, Triple H!

*Commercial Break*

We’re back from the break and out comes Triple H. The Game is in the ring and the fans chant “NXT!”

The Game says “what a week it has been”. He says NXT tore the roof off of this building on Saturday night, and last night SummerSlam took it to another level. And he was in the back loving it because he’s a fan. He says he will help make the product better and provide excellent wrestling until the day he dies.

However nights like last night give him another feeling. It gives him an old familiar itch. He says nights like the last few have made him want to rip off his suit, lace up the boots, and become The Game again. And that’s why a few weeks ago when Vince McMahon called him a few weeks ago and asked if he wanted to wrestle at the Super Show in Australia, he said “Hell Yes!” And then Vince said they want him to wrestle The Undertaker and he said “Hell No”.

He says the reason he said no is because of a moment. He says the moment was when he wrestled The Undertaker at Hell In A Cell at WrestleMania, with Shawn Michaels as guest referee. The fans chant “HBK” as he shows the picture of him, Undertaker, and HBK on the ramp. He says that moment was meant to signify the end of the era. He says that was to be Shawn’s last night. He would take off the jacket, cut off the tape, unlace the boots and cut his hair. Undertaker was to soon lose the streak and that would be the end of the era. He says that meant to be it and their era was special and the fans chant “You Still Got It”. He says for that reason he called Vince back and said he was in. He wanted to get back in the ring, if The Undertaker promised to be the Phenom one more time. So on October 6th, the feeling will be back, the goosebumps will be back, because the goosebumps will be back. “Melbourne, Australia. October 6th. The Undertaker Vs. The Game, one last time!”

What a fantastic promo from Triple H, although he never really said why he changed his mind to face The Undertaker.

We see a video of last night’s main event, in which Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to become the Universal Champion. Reigns defends that tile tonight! Seth Rollins, the new Intercontinental Champion, makes his way to the ring with Dean Ambrose.

*Commercial Break*

Dean Ambrose W/ Seth Rollins Vs. Dolph Ziggler W/ Drew McIntyre

The match begins with some basic holds and reversals. Ambrose catches Ziggler with a nice shoulder tackle and Dolph rolls from the ring to regroup with Drew.

Dolph gets back into the ring and Ambrose wrestles him to the ground and applies a headlock. Ziggler forces him to his feet and pushes him but Ambrose fires back with a big shove that floors Dolph. Ambrose chops Dolph in the chest, then takes him down with a back elbow. Ziggler looks for a hip toss but Ambrose stops it and body slams Ziggler. Ambrose hits the ropes but Drew grabs his foot. Ambrose rolls from the ring and confronts Drew but Rollins gets in between them. Ambrose gets back on the apron but Dolph takes the chance to hit him with a dropkick and Ambrose collapses on the floor as we take a break.

*Commercial Break*

We return to see Ziggler using a headlock to keep Ambrose grounded. Dolph talks some trash until Dean turns him inside out with a clothesline. Ziggler tries to use the ropes for leverage during a pin, but Ambrose still kicks out. The Lunatic Fringe catches Dolph’s Zig-Zag and lands a fallaway slam – continuing Ambrose’s new power moveset.

Dean takes Ziggler down and catapults him into the ring post. He runs towards Ziggler but Dolph moves and Ambrose goes shoulder first onto the ring post. Seth and Drew are squaring off on the outside and it quickly results in fighting.

Ziggler comes out and tosses Seth into the barricade. Ambrose leaves the ring as well and attacks them both before getting Dolph back in the ring. He takes back control but then Ambrose counters a Fameasser and a superkick. Rollins nails McIntyre with a suicide dive on the outside. Meanwhile inside the ring Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds to get the win.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

The fans were really into that match and Ambrose in particular. I like his more aggressive style and it suits his more manly look.

We see Elias backstage, who is telling two stage-hands that their heads are on the line if his guitar breaks again tonight. He’ll be live next.

*Commercial Break*

We return to see Finn Balor sitting backstage. Braun walks in and tells him what he said last night remains true; he isn’t a coward and he won’t cash in when the Champion is down and out.

We head back to the ring and Elias is there. He says last night was a disaster. Elias says his doctor advised him not to come back to Brooklyn, that being around such filth was bad for his health. But he’s a professional and his music can change places. He starts to play but he’s interrupted by Curt Hawkins!

Hawkins says Elias wants to be a number one hit but he thinks Elias could be the number one guy to lose to Curt Hawkins. He says he wants to end his 200+ losing streak. Elias calls him a loser and says he will be one to the day he dies, like everyone else in Brooklyn. He tells Hawkins to leave and he starts to play his song again. Hawkins says no and slides in the ring to demand a match. Elias agrees.

Elias Vs. Curt Hawkins

Hawkins runs towards Elias and rolls him up for the cover but he kicks out – much to the dismay of Hawkins and the fans. Elias gets up and delivers a flying knee to Curt’s face.

He follows-up with an elbow to the face by and a jumping elbow drop. Elias thinks he has it won but Hawkins kicks out. Both men get to their feet and Hawkins lands some right hands. A clothesline by Hawkins takes Elias down and Elias rolls to the outside. Hawkins follows him but Elias back in. Hawkins gets on the apron but eats a knee from Elias. Elias hits Drift Away for the win.

Winner: Elias

The Author’s of Pain make their way to the ring, they’ll be in action next.

*Commercial Break*

We return and out comes Titus Worldwide. I can’t believe we have to watch this again.

The Author’s of Pain Vs. Titus Worldwide W/ Dana Brooke

Rezar starts the match with Titus. He takes control against Titus right away, then tags Akam in and both men take Titus with back elbows. Akam goes for a suplex but Titus reverses it into a suplex of his own. Titus tags Apollo but Akam takes him down right away. Akam tags Rezar in as they double team Apollo. Rezar goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out. The AOP continue to double team Apollo and make quick tags.

Akam gets Apollo in a sleeper hold. Apollo fights back with elbow but a firemans carry takes Apollo down. He runs towards Apollo but Apollo fights back. Apollo goes for a flying kick but Akam moves out of the way. He puts Apollo on the second rope and tags Rezar in but Apollo fights back. He climbs the top rope and takes Rezar down with a crossbody. He goes for the cover but Akam breaks it up. Akam takes out Titus Steph while Rezar sets up Crews for the Last Chapter to get the win!

Winners: The Author’s Of Pain

Ronda Rousey will be out to commemorate her title win after the break!

We return live and the Raw Women’s Championship is on a pedestal in the middle of the ring. All of the Raw women are surrounding the ring and out comes Stephanie McMahon.

Stephanie says she is so proud of where the women’s division is at. She says all of the women work very hard and we have the Evolution PPV coming soon. She then turns the focus to Ronda Rousey and shows a video of how she won the title from Alexa last night. Stephanie is back on the horn and reiterates her pride. She says she is especially proud of Ronda Rousey because, were it not for her (Stephanie), Ronda wouldn’t be here. She says she saw the raw talent Ronda has and she shone a light on it. Stephanie introduces Ronda.

Rousey comes to the ring and refuses to shake Stephanie’s hand. The fans chant “Ronda Rousey” and Stephanie says she hears “Steph! Steph!”, adding “you’re welcome” to Ronda. Rousey calls her out on her BS, then asks why all the other women are standing around the ring, and not inside it. She asks them all to stand on the apron, and they do. Ronda points to Natalya and says she is the cornerstone of the entire division. Then she points to Sasha Banks and Bayley and says were it not for their match at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, a few years ago, this division might not be a thing. Ronda says she is not Brock Lesnar; she will be a fighting Champion. She can’t wait to get in the ring with all of these women.

Stephanie tells her to stop the BS. She says Ronda is playing a character, in reality she just wants to break peoples arms. She says she knows that first hand, and last night Ronda did the same thing to Alexa, and they show footage of Ronda contorting Alexa’s double-jointed arm. Stephanie points to Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Dana Brooke and says she will break all of their arms. Ronda says she won’t break their arms. She says she only does that to people who deserve it. Ronda then Judo throws Stephanie and applies the armbar and Stephanie taps wildly. McMahon rolls from the ring and the heel ladies run to her aid, while Nattie, Sasha, Bayley, Dana, and The Bella Twins step into the ring and hand Ronda her title. They celebrate to end the segment.

We see a replay of earlier tonight when Roman Reigns challenged Finn Balor to a match for his Universal Championship. That’s our main event!

*Commercial Break*

The B-Team make their way to the ring. The Champs grab microphones and Bo says not long ago they couldn’t buy a win. He says once they changed their name to B-Team, everything changed. Now they’re undefeated and the Tag Team Champions. Axel says tonight they’re dedicating their singles matches to all the fans in the arena because B stands for Brooklyn.

Bo Dallas Vs. Scott Dawson

They lock-up and Dawson forces Bo to the corner. Bo responds with a big right hand and Dawson rolls from the ring. Dawson uses the ropes to knock Bo away, then he catapults him into the bottom turnbuckle. Dawson takes off his elbow pad and rubs it on Bo’s forehead. Dawson they applies a headlock in the middle of the ring.

Dallas reverses a neckbreaker into a backslide pin for a near-fall. Dallas lands two running forearms, followed by a diving crossbody. Dallas sets Bo on the top rope, looking for a spinning neckbreaker but Dawson escapes and slams Bo into the corner. Dawson hits Bo with a cradle DDT for the win.

Winner: Scott Dawson

Dawson rolls from the ring and Dash readies for his match with Axel. Weirdly, Axel grabs the microphone and challenged Dash to a match but he already did that earlier. The commentators poke fun at Axel. That match is next.

*Commercial Break*

Curtis Axel Vs. Dash Wilder

Back from commercial and Wilder is in control of the Axel. He delivers a back breaker and goes for the cover but Axel kicks out. Axel fights back and a snap mare take down onto Wilder. He goes for a neck breaker but Wilder pushes him off. He runs towards Axel but Axel kicks him down. Axel climbs the top rope and looks for a dicing elbow but Wilder moves out of the way. Wilder lifts Axel up and hits a Gory Bomb for the win.

Winner: Dash Wilder

That’s 2-0 for The Revival After the match. Bo Dallas gets on the microphone and says that they may have defeated them individually but they are still the Raw tag team champions.

Renee Young interviews Roman Reigns backstage. She asks if he has nay reservations about putting his title on the line tonight. He says no, he didn’t chase this thing for years to sit backstage and hide. He says the fact is, Finn Balor has waited a very long time for this opportunity and tonight he gets it. He says he will beat Finn and he’ll go to the back of the line and he isn’t concerned about Braun Strowman either. That match is next!

*Commercial Break*

We return from the break and Stephanie McMahon is having her arm iced, with Alexa Bliss and Constable Corbin by her side. Kurt Angle walks in and apologises to Stephanie. She asks where he was tonight. She says Angle let her get put in an armbar again. Corbin kicks Angle when he’s down, saying he can’t do everything for him. Stephanie says Corbin is right, it’s time for Kurt to take some time off. As of now, Baron Corbin is the acting General Manager!

Finn Balor makes his entrance for the Universal Championship Match! The Champion is out second to loud boos.

WWE Universal Championship Match

(C) Roman Reigns Vs. Finn Balor

The bell rings and both men circle each other before locking-up. Roman forces Balor to the corner, then throws him across the ring. Roman elbows Finn and applies a headlock. Finn shoots Roman off, ducks a clothesline but then is caught with a shoulder tackle. Roman throws Finn into the ropes and Balor catches Roman with a sunset flip pin attempt. Finn is whipped to the corner and he jumps over, looks for an enziguiri but Roman clocks him with an uppercut. Finn is conked out on the apron as we head to the break.

*Commercial Break*

We return from the break and both men are down. They get to their feet, Roman runs at Finn but is tossed through the ropes. Finn runs and dropkicks Roman through the ropes. Finn then runs along the apron, looking for a soccer kick but Roman catches the foot and slams Balor face-first on the apron. Roman slides him back inside for a two-count.

Roman punches Finn in the corner, before whipping him hard into the opposite corner. Reigns walks around Finn, talking some trash. Roman runs at Finn in the corner but eats a boot. Balor follows-up with a flying forearm, then a double stomp to the chest. Balor chops Reigns in the corner, then again but The Big Dog shrugs it off. Reigns unloads lariats to Balor in the corner. Reigns hits the ropes but Finn meets him there and dropkicks him out of the ring. Balor runs and hits a beautiful senton over the top to Reigns on the outside. Balor throws Reigns back inside and is less than a second away from being Champion.

*Commercial Break*

We return to see Finn Balor laid out in the middle of the ring, with Roman standing over him. Something is happening in the crowd because the fans are all looking away from the ring. Balor blocks Roman’s right hands and unloads one of his own. Roman responds with a punch, Finn hits a Pele kick and both men are down.

Finn unleashes a flurry of punches and kicks on Roman and gets aggressive. The fans get fired-up as he does. Balor looks for a slingblade but Roman grabs hold of him and hits a sit-out powerbomb for a near-fall. Roman takes to the corner and cocks his hand. Roman looks for the Superman punch but Balor kicks him and hits an elbow drop. Roman runs at Balor in the corner and gets kicked to the mat. Balor takes to the top rope for Coup De Grace but Roman moves out of the way. Finn then jumps down and hits a slingblade. Finn runs for the front dropkick but Roman lands a Superman punch for a near-fall!

Reigns goes to the corner and looks for the spear but Balor kicks him, rolls him up and scores a near-fall. They both get to their feet and Roman hits another Superman punch. Roman goes to the corner but Braun Strowman’s music hits. Roman gets distracted, so Balor hits another slingblade. Balor then hits the front dropkick and looks for Coup De Grace but Roman rolls out of the way. Roman hits the Spear and that’s all she rote!

Winner: Roman Reigns

Braun Strowman climbs into the ring and waits for Roman to get to his feet, then kicks him in the chest. Braun then hands his briefcase to the referee and asks to cash-in. Jojo announces that Braun is cashing-in but all of a sudden, The Shield’s music hits!

Rollins and Ambrose come down to the ring, in full Shield gear, and climb on the apron. Roman gets to his feet and Braun is surrounded by The Shield. The fans chant “Holy Shit” as all four men stare each other down. Braun then attacks Roman in the corner and Seth and Dean join the brawl. They knock Braun to one knee, then Roman hits a Superman punch and clotheslines Braun over the top rope. Ambrose clears the announce table at ringside, the he, Seth and Dean ready for the Triple Powerbomb. Braun kicks Roman away, elbows Seth, and Dean, but then Roman hits a Spear! The Shield the get Braun up and hit the Triple Powerbomb through the announce table!

What an ending to Raw! The Shield is back and they’re after Braun. Roman has some serious back-up now. Let us know your thoughts in the comments and be sure to come back tomorrow night for SmackDown Live! Until then, safe travels!