Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of Monday Night Raw for October 15th, 2018.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Saudi Arabia. With all the happenings this past week with a dissident journalist being killed, there has been growing cries from social media for WWE to cancel the Crown Jewel event, scheduled to take place on November 2nd. Now, I’ve never hidden my disdain for WWE shows taking place in these particular parts of the Middle East; places where women aren’t allowed to compete and, more importantly, places that are a few hundred years behind the rest of the world in terms of civility, equality, and human rights. All those broader issues aside, WWE’s last event in Saudi Arabia – The Greatest Royal Rumble – was just a little gross to begin with; particularly with the advertisements of Saudi women talking about how great the country is. So, it goes without saying that this latest transgression is hardly surprising and just another reason WWE shouldn’t go anywhere near these countries. Not to mention, recent rumours suggest WWE Superstars aren’t exactly happy with going there to compete. Since all of this news came out, WWE has distanced itself from the show, by scrubbing all mentions of it from its social media, yet it hasn’t been cancelled. Hell, even John Oliver took shots at WWE for the deal. And WWE loathes bad press! So it will be interesting tonight to hear if it’s mentioned by the announcers. What do you make of all this? Would you like Crown Jewel to go ahead? Do you want more events like The Greatest Royal Rumble?
Now, in less depressing news – though still related – tonight’s Raw is set to feature two qualifying matches for the WWE World Cup. The first sees Dean Ambrose face Dolph Ziggler, while the second is Seth Rollins Vs. Drew McIntyre. Of course, we’ve seen these four men compete a bazillion times in the past few months, but the twisting of Ambrose’s character should make things a little more interesting than usual. Naturally, one member from each team will win and proceed, but who? If you’re curious, here are the latest betting odds!
Elsewhere on tonight’s show, WWE.Com is teasing The Brothers of Destruction. Kane and The Undertaker may appear tonight to respond to D-X’s comments last week, as well as their official reunion. That said, this too is entirely reliant on the tag team match that was scheduled for Crown Jewel, so how WWE moves forward with the feud without addressing the controversy is a pickle to say the least.
All that and plenty more to happen on tonight’s Raw. Remember to follow us on Twitter, Snapchat Instagram, and all that good stuff, download the Ringside News app, and enjoy the show!
WWE Monday Night Raw from Philadelphia opens with The Monster Among Men’s music hitting, and out he comes flanked by the WWE Tag Team Champions.
The trio come to the ring, and on the way Michael Cole reiterates that Strowman will be in the Triple Threat match for the Universal Championship at Crown Jewel.
Ziggler says we are looking at the greatest 3-man group in WWE history. McIntyre says they did it without a catchy team name or matching tactical vests to prove it either. Strowman says they proved it last week against The Shield, and they’ll be happy to do so anytime, anywhere, against any one. Ziggler says they’ve haven’t forgotten what happened, but in case we have, here’s the replay of them winning, as well as a post-show interview with Dean Ambrose, in which he says he doesn’t fit in anywhere anymore.
Back live, McIntyre says he told us so. They didn’t just beat The Shield last week, they broke The Shield. He can only imagine what Ambrose’s mind is going through right now, as he tries to find his place in The Shield. He says Rollins and Strowman are the only two who benefited from that group. Finally the fans eyes have been opened, and so have Dean Ambrose’s, and finally The Shield has disintegrated. Strowman says The Shield won’t be around to watch Roman’s back when he beats him for the Universal Championship at Crown Jewel.
McIntyre says, speaking of Crown Jewel, he will beat Seth Rollins to qualify tonight for the World Cup. Then he will go on to blast through the competition and prove that he is the best in the world. Ziggler slows him down and says that he too has a qualifying match, so maybe they’ll meet in the finals of the World Cup. McIntyre says as good as Dolph is, and he is fantastic, he is no Drew McIntyre. Ziggler laughs and says that is true, he’s the most consistent WWE performer in history. Strowman tells them they’re both great but at Crown Jewel both Roman and Brock Lesnar will “get these hands!”
Out comes Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The Intercontinental Champion says The Shield are not broken, they’re alive and well! He says they’ve been listening backstage and tonight he aims to prove to them that he is in fact the best in the world. Ziggler says good speech, but where the heck is Dean Ambrose? Rollins says Dolph doesn’t know Ambrose as good as they do, and the fact is Dean shows up whenever he wants but he always shows-up. Reigns then says Drew and Dolph need to sit down because they’re never getting a glimpse at their titles, but Strowman will lose in Saudi Arabia and then he goes to the back of the line. Rollins says he’s always loved Philly, because of the cheesesteaks, but also because it’s a fighting town. And seeing as he and Drew are already out here, how about they have their qualifying match right now? Mcintyre takes off his jacket and looks ready to go, but that will have to wait until after the break!
*Commercial Break*
World Cup Qualifying Match
Seth Rollins Vs. Drew McIntyre
We’re back live and the bell rings to get this match underway. Seth and Drew lock-up and the Scotsman forces the IC Champion to the corner, then lets go and ushers him back to the centre of the ring. They lock-up again and McIntyre takes a headlock. Seth tries to escape, even tries shooting him off, but Drew holds tight and drops to a knee.
Rollins finally escapes and takes a hold of Drew’s arm. Seth wrenches the arm, but McIntyre fires back with a forearm to the face. McIntyre goes back to the side headlock, but Rollins whips him off. McIntyre shoulder blocks him, hits the ropes, Rollins leapfrogs him and looks for a hip toss but it’s blocked. Rollins dropkicks him, but McIntyre quickly answers back with a boot. McIntyre goes for a powerbomb, but Rollins counters into a hurricanrana. Rollins goes for a suicide dive, but McIntyre catches him and hits a belly-to-belly overhead suplex on the floor!
McIntyre gets Seth back in the ring, but Rollins rolls back out. McIntyre picks up the ring apron and exposes the steel of the ring. Rollins quickly powers him into the apron and sends him into the barricade. Rollins talks a little trash, but he’s distracted by Dolph Ziggler. Rollins goes after him, but Ziggler gets away. McIntyre goes under the ring. Rollins tries to bring him out, but McIntyre pulls him shoulder-first into the steel of the ring. Rollins is in trouble as we head to the break!
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see McIntyre applying an overhead wristlock. Ziggler has remained at ringside. Rollins gets out with a chop and superkicks him down. Rollins clutches his shoulder in pain. Rollins goes for a springboard maneuver, but McIntyre moves. Rollins comes right back with a Sling Blade. McIntyre tries to fight back with an inverted Alabama Slam, but Rollins counters into a roll-up for a two count. Rollins boots him back and hits a blockbuster for a near fall.
Rollins goes to the top rope, but McIntyre punches him. McIntyre chops the chest and lifts him from the second rope, but Rollins slides off and kicks him in the face, tying him up in the tree of woe. Rollins goes to the top rope, but McIntyre sits up and throws him off the top rope by the head. McIntyre goes to the top rope, but Rollins is back, leaps-up, and hits a superplex before rolling through for a falcons arrow, however McIntyre counters into a falcon arrow of his own for a near fall!
They trade blows back and forth before McIntyre punches Seth’s injured shoulder. Rollins comes back with a step-up enzuigiri and superkicks him. Rollins signals for the end, but Ziggler gets on the apron. Rollins scares him off and counters McIntyre by clotheslining him over the top rope. Rollins hits Ziggler with a suicide dive out of nowhere before getting in the ring and hitting McIntyre with one. Rollins gets McIntyre in the ring and kicks him. Rollins goes for a Stomp, but Ziggler pulls the ropes down.
Dean Ambrose’s music hits, and Ziggler readies for an attack from the stage. However, Ambrose comes from behind and lays out Dolph! McIntyre goes outside and attacks Ambrose. Rollins then comes from out of nowhere and hits the Stomp on the floor! Rollins slides back in and wins the match by count-out!
Winner Via Count-Out: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins celebrates in the ring with Dean Ambrose. John Cena, Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, and Seth Rollins have qualified for the WWE World Cup Tournament at WWE Crown Jewel, leaving three spots open and one more qualifying match tonight.
The Bella Twins are shown walking backstage, continually looking over their shoulders. Elsewhere backstage, Trish Stratus and Lita are talking backstage. Bayley walks up to them and gives them a hug. We’ll take a look at DX reuniting, next.
*Commercial Break*
We see Seth, Roman, and Dean walking backstage laughing. Rollins is talking about being the best and says he knew Dean would show up, he’s always on “lunatic time”. Ambrose stops and stares at him, then asks what he said. Seth plays it off as a joke but Ambrose isn’t laughing, he says that’s all he is to them; a nut-job who occasionally saves them. He says he has a match to worry about and storms off.
We go back live and see still photos from Super Show-Down, when The Undertaker and Kane attacked Triple H and Shawn Michaels after the match. Then we see a replay of last Monday’s opening, in which D-X reunited. I think the announcers are going out of there way not to say the words “Saudi Arabia”, because it’s all just “Crown Jewel”.
We see a video package that starts with a long dark hallway. It goes through some boiler rooms until we find Kane and The Undertaker – very old-school. Undertaker says HHH and Michaels want to talk about respect, but that doesn’t exist. Kane says D-X is built on a bed of lies. Undertaker says Shawn Michaels tries to say he hasn’t come back in 9 years, out of respect, when they both know it’s because Shawn is scared. Kane says Michaels was scared Undertaker would humiliate him again. Undertaker says that at Crown Jewel, Shawn’s fears will be realised and Triple H can retreat back to the board room. Kane says they have three words for D-X: “Rest In Peace”.
Ember Moon makes her way to the stage, then she’s joined by Nia Jax. They’ll be in tag team action, next!
*Commercial Break*
So it will be Tamina Snuka and Dana Brooke facing Moon and Jax. Amazingly, this is Jax’s first match since the women’s Royal Rumble match in January!
There will be a women’s battle royale at WWE Evolution, and during the next match Cole announces that Carmella, Asuka, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Torrie Wilson, are some of the names that will be in the match.
Tamina Snuka & Dana Brooke Vs. Ember Moon & Nia Jax
Dana Brooke starts the match and locks-up with Ember Moon. Brooke powers her to the corner and attacks. Moon soon fights back, but Brooke shoulder blocks her down. Moon kips up and sweeps the legs before rolling her up for a one count. Snuka tags in, and she hits a snapmare before applying a chin lock. Moon fights up and whips her off, but Snuka clotheslines her down. Snuka throws her across the ring and taunts Jax, who tags in.
The crowed get excited for the too big women – who’re actually related in real-life! Snuka ducks a clothesline and punches away at Nia. However Jax pushes her down and hits a rolling senton. Snuka comes back with some kicks. They trade head-butts before Jax goes for a Samoan Drop. Snuka slides off and tries for a Samoan Drop, but she can’t lift Jax. Jax gets out and charges, but Snuka lifts her onto her shoulders. She struggles for a minute but she finally manages to land a Samoan Drop! Both women are down.
Brooke tags herself in and attacks Jax, but Jax swats her away and splashes her in the corner. Moon tags in and hits the Eclipse for the win on Brooke for the win!
Winners: Ember Moon & Nia Jax
After the match Tamina and Nia start talking trash, so Ember comes between them. Nia shoves Ember away but Tamina then superkicks Jax! Nia is pulling herself up via the ropes when Ember and Tamina grab a leg each and toss her over! Ember then tries to throw Snuka over but she holds on until Brooke returns and tosses them both out. I guess we can assume all four of these ladies will be in the battle royale also!
We get a video replay of The Bella Twins turning on Ronda Rousey last week. Ronda will be out next!
*Commercial Break*
We get a TMZ video recap of Nikki Bella insulting Ronda Rousey on Instagram earlier today.
Ronda Rousey comes out to a raucous reception from Philly. She comes to the ring and says that we’ve all seen the news, we know what happened. So she asks Nikki and Brie to come out and give her an explanation as to why they attacked her.
Nikki and Brie come out, and the former says they do not owe her an apology.
Brie Bella says this is show business, not show friends. Rousey was the one to disrespect them. Rousey disregarded everything they did for this business. Did Rousey expect them to sit on the sidelines and watch her? Nikki says Rousey is the reason they’re back. Rousey is a loser that doesn’t deserve a championship. Nikki says she deserves to be champion. Nikki says she’ll give her a little history lesson. They made “diva” mean something. They made it a strong and powerful word. Their reality show put more women and little girls in the crowd. The Bella Twins made the world want to see women’s wrestling even more. Nikki says Rousey walked into a revolution that she and her sister started. She’s the longest reigning Divas Champion. The championship Rousey carries around wouldn’t exist without them. Rousey starts to talk over them but stops to let Nikki finish. Nikki says it’s all about Rousey. What’s she going to do? Come up the stage and break their arms? The crowd cheers.
Rousey says she’s tried her best to be respectful. She knew the WWE was their territory first. Rousey tried not to be judgmental even though the Divas era made her sick to her stomach. She gave them the benefit of the doubt figuring they just did the best they could with what they had. After The Bellas ran up to her after never really talking to her before after WrestleMania, she figured they could be strong forces together. Rousey says she didn’t realize they were living stereotypes. They’re the Do Nothing Bellas. Rousey was impressed they went so far with the minimum amount of talent. They leached off the names of their men. A loud “YES” chant fires up. Rousey says they plagiarize and dilute their move-sets. They’re relics of the past that need to be eviscerated like small pox. The wait is over because they both know she can rip their arms off and beat them with the limbs. The only thing stopping her at Evolution will be the referee, but they’re not good at holding them back. Rousey says she’s more than just a pretty face with a deadly body. She doesn’t care how much promotion is behind them. Their name will become like the societal sore they are.
Brie says they gave her more promotion last week than she’s had in her entire career in WWE. Nikki says they’ve knocked down doors. Rousey says she knocked down doors in judo and the UFC. Now she’s knocking down doors here in WWE. The only door Nikki knocked down was the door to John Cena’s bedroom… and he eventually threw her out of the exact same door. The crowd is going crazy. Are they going to come down and get the ass whipping they deserve, or does she have to come and hand it to them.
Nikki rips off her shirt and The Bellas start down the ramp a bit before stopping and doing a dance. A security team comes out and forms a line at the foot of the ramp. Rousey clears two of them out with judo throws before grabbing a third and giving him a snap Angle Slam! Rousey looks up the ramp, but The Bellas are gone. She gets back in the ring and stomps around, looking furious.
We see a replay of last week’s battle royale, in which General Manager Baron Corbin faced off against a few random jobbers. Corbin was beaten in the end by some nobody called Kurt Angle, who joined John Cena and co. in the WWE World Cup! Kurt Angle is backstage with Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, and he’s dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and straw hat. Roode says he looks super relaxed from his vacation. No Way Jose comes up, and Angle shows off his dance moves. Baron Corbin then walks up and says Angle must think he’s pretty smart. Angle says he has enjoyed his time off. Corbin tells him the field for WWE World Cup is stacked. It’s been twelve years since he’s had a singles match (in WWE). Corbin books him in a handicap match against AOP to warm up. That match is tonight. Angle says he doesn’t have his gear, but Corbin says he’ll figure something out.
Dean Ambrose makes his entrance. He’ll face Dolph Ziggler in a World Cup Qualifying Match, next!
*Commercial Break*
World Cup Qualifying Match
Dean Ambrose Vs. Dolph Ziggler
The match begins with a lock-up and Ambrose takes Dolph down with a headlock. Ambrose hits a shoulder tackle for a one-count, then lands some forearms to the face for another one count.
Dolph regains some control and applies a rear chinlock. Meanwhile the announcers argue about whether Dean Ambrose is being a selfish fool, or Seth and Roman are truly taking him for granted. Ambrose fights out of the chinlock. Dolph looks for a crossbody but Ambrose catches him and hits a fallaway slam. Ziggler rolls from the ring and Ambrose follows him, tossing him into the barricade.
Back inside the ring. Ambrose grabs Dolph’s feet as he looks for a dropkick, and tries to apply a cloverleaf but Dolph kicks him away. Ambrose climbs the ropes but Dolph leaps up top and hits him with a huge leaping facebuster! Both men are down on the mat as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Ambrose catapult Ziggler into the corner. Ziggler’s head hits the ring post. Ambrose hits a pair of clotheslines and a back elbow. Ambrose then hits a front suplex on the top rope. Ambrose hooks the arm, but Ziggler elbows him in the face. Ziggler goes for a snap DDT, but Ambrose gets out and applies a cloverleaf submission. Ziggler gets out, but Ambrose comes back with a double chicken-wing facebuster for a near fall. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but Ziggler crotches him up there. Ziggler tries for a superplex, but Ambrose counters with a front superplex.
Ziggler may have hurt his knee, could just be selling obviously. Drew McIntyre runs down, but Seth Rollins cuts him off. They brawl at ringside until Ambrose hits a flying elbow off the top rope onto McIntyre. Rollins starts to life Ambrose and get him back in the ring, but Ambrose shoves him to the floor. Ambrose gets in the ring and Ziggler superkicks him straight-away for the win!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler has now qualified for the WWE World Cup a Crown Jewel, for which there are only two spots left! After the match, Seth gets into the ring and watches Ambrose get to his feet. The commentators try to decipher if Ambrose knew it was Rollins lifting him, or is he maybe thought it was McIntyre. Rollins tries talking to him but Ambrose shrugs him off and barges into him as he leaves the ring. Ambrose is walking up the ramp but Rollins follows him. He turns Dean around and they get into each other’s faces yelling, until Roman Reigns comes out and gets between them. General Manager Baron Corbin comes out and says he doesn’t want to see The Shield implode on his watch, so he’ll give them a chance to get back on the same page. He announces that The Shield will face Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre in tonight’s main event.
Still to come, Kurt Angle Vs. The Author’s of Pain, Trish Stratus and Lita will be here, and, up next, Finn Balor and Bayley!
*Commercial Break*
We’re back from the break and Ziggler is ranting in the dressing room about having broken The Shield. McIntyre says to Strowman that he knows he wants Reigns, but he should atack Seth tonight and finish The Shield off. Strowman doesn’t take kindly to the suggestion and tells them that if either of them screw-up tonight, they will get his hands!
Finn Balor W/Bayley Vs. Jinder Mahal W/Alicia Fox, Sunil & Samir Singh
The bell rings, and Mahal quickly hits a nice scoop slam for a two count. Mahal applies a chin lock and holds it on for a while as Bayley rallies the crowd.
Balor gets out and dropkicks the former WWE Champion. Mahal powers him to the corner, but Balor boots him back. Balor hits a Sling Blade, followed by a dropkick to the corner. Balor hits the Coup de Grace for the quick win.
Winner: Finn Balor
Balor doesn’t get much time to celebrate though, because out comes Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush.
Lashley gets into Finn’s face and poses with his biceps. Lio Rush says Finn wishes he could look like Lashley. The big man walks past Finn and climbs the top rope and poses. Meanwhile Finn and Bayley leave as Lashley’s music hits again. What a weird segment – could WWE do anything more to make Balor look like a wuss? Lashley will be in action, next!
*Commercial Break*
Bobby Lashley Vs. Tyler Breeze
We’re back and the match is about to get underway but Rush tries to get the crowd to chant for Lashley, in the annoying way that only he can. The bell rings and Rush says Lashley isn’t ready yet, then instructs him to pose for the fans. He gets down and poses again as Rush compliments his physique.
Finally, Lashley starts the match – it was nice of Breeze to wait. Lashley forces Breeze to the corner, then poses in front of him. Breeze tries to punch Bobby but gets shoved away. Breeze hits a step-up enziguiri, then takes to the middle rope. He leaps but Bobby catches him and transitions into the stalling suplex. Lashley poses again before applying a full nelson to Tyler Breeze and tossing him aside. Lashley follows-up with a shoulder tackle in the corner. Breeze tries to fire back and hits a dropkick but then gets caught with a powerslam. The fans just do not care about this at all. Lashley then lifts Breeze up and hits a Dominator for the win!
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Lashley and Rush celebrate after the win. Rush talks some more but gets neither cheers nor boos, he gets indifference.
Trish Stratus and Lita will be live, next!
We’re back and Trish Stratus and Lita make their entrances. Next Sunday, they’ll take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James at WWE Evolution. Lita greets her “old friend,” Philadelphia. Lita says it’s good to be back home. One week from Sunday is the first ever all women’s PPV, WWE Evolution.
Alexa Bliss’ music cuts her off, and she comes out to the stage with Mickie James. Bliss says she’s a future Hall of Famer, so she gets Lita, who is a current Hall of Famer. Bliss thinks Lita must be terrified about being humiliated going into Evolution knowing the Goddess will run wild on her. Mickie James acts crazy and imitates Trish Stratus. James claims Stratus knows that James has always been better than her. Bliss says James does Stratus better than Stratus. Bliss says if they think they’re going to come into Evolution and beat them, it’s going to be bad. James says they’re sadly mistaken if they think they’re going to get off the couch and come for them with no warm-up.
Stratus says at Evolution, they have a chance to make history. Lita says these two could make their careers beating two Hall of Famers and they’re talking practice. Lita says they might be right. They could use some practice. Stratus says practice makes perfect. They challenge Bliss and James. They begin walking down to the ring before stopping, turning and walking away.
Bayley is walking backstage when The Riott Squad makes fun of her, particularly for being without Sasha Banks and walk off laughing. Natalya will take on Ruby Riott later tonight. The main event will see The Shield take on Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre.
*Commercial Break*
We’re back for the handicap match and Angle is in the ring, wearing the conquistador outfit from last week.
2-On-1 Handicap Match
Kurt Angle Vs. Author’s of Pain W/Drake Maverick
Baron Corbin comes out to the stage to watch this match. Angle dances in the ring before trying for a German Suplex on Akam. Akam gets out of it. The commentators say this doesn’t seem like Kurt Angle. The Angle imposter soon goes for an Angle Lock, but he’s knocked out. AOP soon hits him with a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo for the win.
Winner: Author’s of Pain
Drake Maverick gets in the ring and tells them to take the mask off, but it’s an unknown jobber. Kurt Angle then runs up from behind and hits Corbin with an Angle Slam on the stage. Angle celebrates doing the weird Spanish dance.
Backstage we see Natalya’s dressing room and the Riott Squad have covered it in ketchup and mustard. Natalya will face Ruby next!
*Commercial Break*
Natalya W/Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan Vs. Ruby Riott W/Sasha Banks & Bayley
Natalya takes Riott down, but she’s soon kicked down. Riott slams her down by the hair and picks up a one count. Riott applies a chin lock before taking her down by the hair for a two count. Natalya quickly rolls her up for a two count.
Riott comes back with a back elbow for a two count. Riott attacks, but can’t put her away. Natalya slaps her and applies a Sharpshooter, but Sarah Logan chop blocks her.
Winner Via Disqualification: Natalya
We see Elias choosing a guitar pick from a stage hand and belittling him. He’ll be out to perform live, next!
*Commercial Break*
Elias is sitting in the ring as we come back. Elias strums a chord and greets the crowd. Elias plays something that sounds like the intro riff to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” Elias says his eyes are like a crystal ball looking into the future. That future is a universal truth that John Cena and everyone else knows, and that is that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says he was with Carson Wentz, who says his injuries were painful. The real injuries are mental when he has to care about performing for the depraved city of Philadelphia. The crowd loudly boos him. Elias tells them to silence their cellphones and shut their mouths.
Apollo Crews’ music hits, and he comes out to the stage with a microphone – to no reaction unfortunately. Crews says he just wants to interrupt him since everyone else does. Elias says he’s the best thing going, so of course Crews would want to be out here. Crews better pray to be on Elias’ good side. Tonight is not the night Elias will make a star out of Crews. Crews says he’s not like Elias. He doesn’t play the guitar and isn’t that funny. None of that matters when he steps inside the ring. Elias has heard that Crews is talented, but he’s never seen it. It’s like Bigfoot or The Flyers winning the Stanley Cup. Crews has watched too many people pass him by, and he’s sick of it. Crews catches him with a step-up enzuigiri before holding him up in a military press and slamming him down. Crews then poses on the turnbuckles.
Backstage, Roman Reigns is talking with Dean Ambrose, but we can’t hear what they’re saying, Cole says they’re talking tactics. The main event is next!
*Commercial Break*
Strowman and his goons are out first, while The Shield come out second through the crowd.
Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre Vs. The Shield
Dolph starts the match against Rollins. Ziggler gets Seth in a headlock, but gets shot into the ropes. Seth with the drop-down, leapfrog, then a body slam. Ambrose tags in and the two of them hit a leg-split on Ziggler. Seth and Dean begin arguing, which prompts Reigns to come in and separate them. Strowman clears Seth and Dean from the ring, then Ziggler connects with a snap DDT to Reigns for a two-count.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see McIntyre keeping Reigns down with an armbar in the middle of the ring. Reigns starts to fight back but McIntyre plants The Big Dog with a spinebuster for a two count. Drew makes the tag to Ziggler and keeps Reigns down with another submission. Reigns throws Ziggler into the ropes and takes him down with a lariat. Ziggler ignores Strowman and tags McIntyre, who gets taken down right away with a clothesline. Braun gets the tag and cuts Reigns off. Drew tags himself back in and stomps Reigns into the mat. Strowman and co. keep beating on Roman in their corner., but arguing amongst each other while they do so.
Reigns avoids Strowman in the corner and hits a Samoan drop to the big man. Reigns takes the Claymore and the Zig Zag, but Ambrose and Rollins are there to break up the pin. The Big Dog catches McIntyre with an uppercut before he tags Rollins. sETHbrings Ambrose in and they take out McIntyre and Strowman with some double team moves. They hit double suicide dives on both sides of the ring, but Braun catches them during the second one. Reigns hits him with a Superman Punch to break his grasp. Ambrose hits McIntyre with Dirty Deeds, but Dolph shoves Rollins into him to break up the pin. Dean and Seth argue until they get into a fight, and Ambrose tries to hit Dirty Deeds to no avail. Ziggler takes advantage and hits the Zig Zag on Ambrose for a near-fall.
Reigns saves Ambrose from the Claymore with a Superman Punch to McIntyre. Drew accidentally nails Braun with the Claymore before Reigns drills him with a Spear. Rollins and Ambrose grab Ziggler so they can hit the Triple Powerbomb for the pin and the win!
Winners: The Shield
After the match, The Shield leave up the ramp after the match, seemingly all kosher again. Strowman meanwhile gets into the ring and grabs Dolph by the hair. He yells at Ziggler before hitting him with the running powerslam. Strowman poses but then turns around and gets hit with the Claymore Kick! McIntyre leaves the ring and walks-up the ramp, while Strowman struggles back to his feet.
That’s it for tonight’s Raw. Let us know what you thought of the show and come back tomorrow for all of your wrestling news!
