With Money in the Bank in the books, there are two men who rightfully deserve a rematch for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Also, there are rumors of some Superstars returning tonight. What is the next chapter in the never-ending WWE story, and will anybody return tonight on Monday Night Raw?
Opening Segment
To kick off the show, Dean Ambrose comes down to the ring. Before he makes it to the ring, there are two podiums that are seen on the stage: one for Raw, and one for Smackdown. Immediately, Ambrose is greeted by “You deserve it!” chants from the crowd. Ambrose starts celebrating his title victory when he is interrupted by one of the other two WWE World Heavyweight Champions last night, Roman Reigns. Reigns tries to congratulate his friend on the title victory but gets swarmed by boos.
Reigns starts to stake his claim for a rematch when he is interrupted by Rollins. Both Rollins and Reigns lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship last night, so they both rightfully deserve rematches. To sort things out is none other than Shane McMahon. McMahon announces that there will be a match between Reigns and Rollins to determine the first challenger to Dean Ambrose’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and will face Ambrose at Battleground.
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Both of these men were involved in the brutal Money in the Bank ladder match last night, and they still show the toll that it has taken on both of them. Like the ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32, the rivalry between Owens and Zayn prevented either of them from winning the match.
Owens attempts the Pop-up Powerbomb, and Zayn counters into a roll-up for the victory. Winner: Sami Zayn
After the match, Kevin Owens attacks on the entrance ramp, and they start brawling. About a dozen referees come to the entrance ramp to stop the brawl before someone get seriously injured, or so we think. After the commercial break, Zayn and Owens continue their fight backstage. Instead of ending the fight once and for all, things somehow have gotten worse.
Promo
Former General Manager of Raw and Smackdown, John Laurinaitis, comes to the stage to try to get a job as the new Smackdown General Manager. Shane McMahon comes out to interrupt the creator of “People Power,” apologize to the WWE Universe, and sent Laurinaitis to the back.
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. The Vaudevillains
Both of these teams were involved in the fatal four-way Tag Team Championship last night, but neither team walked out with the titles. They fight tonight to gain momentum in the essentially reset tag team division.
After a fallaway slam across the ring to Aiden English, Big Cass tags in Enzo Amore to hit Bada Boom Shakalaka (formerly “Air Enzo”) on English to pick up the win. Winners: Enzo Amore & Big Cass
In-ring Segment
AJ Styles comes down to the ring to address his victory last night over John Cena. During the match last night, when the referee was knocked down, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson hit the Magic Killer on Cena. Styles would then cover Cena for the win. Styles calls out The Club and demands an apology for giving Cena an “excuse” for the loss. After Gallows and Anderson apologize to Styles, Styles calls out Cena to accept the apologies of The Club.
As an olive branch of sorts, Styles offers that Cena face his choice tonight of either Gallows or Anderson. Cena realizes it doesn’t matter because of the numbers advantage, so Styles chooses Anderson to face Cena tonight.
John Cena vs. Karl Anderson
Styles says that Anderson will compete in this match alone, but a skeptical John Cena keeps looking at the entrance ramp throughout the match.
Anderson doesn’t get a single hit in, and Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment. Right before the referee counts three, Gallows and Styles break up the pin and start the assault on Cena. After a Magic Killer and a Styles Clash, Cena is left lying in the middle of the ring. Winner (via disqualification): John Cena
Backstage Segment
Becky Lynch is being interviewed about Natalya’s sudden attack last night after they lost a tag team match. Natalya attacks Lynch again from behind, and says that it is time that she focuses on herself.
Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder
Last night, Baron Corbin defeated Dolph Ziggler for the fourth time in a row, and is looking towards greener pastures.
That greener pasture is a quick victory over Zack Ryder, ending five minutes of dominating the Long Island Iced Z with the End of Days. Winner: Baron Corbin
Charlotte (c) (w/Dana Brooke) vs. Paige – WWE Women’s Championship
Over the past several weeks, Paige has scored two victories over Charlotte, giving her the opportunity to challenge the champion for the Women’s Championship tonight. This match should have taken place last night at the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View, but at least it is happening.
Paige hits the Ram-Paige on Charlotte, but Dana Brooke helps Charlotte get her foot on the bottom rope. As the referee ejects Brooke from ringside, Charlotte hits Natural Selection on Paige to retain the title. Winner, and STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Charlotte
After the match, Sasha Banks finally makes her return to WWE television, then lays out Dana Brooke on the entrance ramp. Banks makes her way to the ring to hit Charlotte with Natural Selection and hold up the Women’s Championship. Banks is the perfect choice to dethrone Charlotte and end her title reign.
In-Ring Segment
For the first time since Bray Wyatt’s injury a few months ago, the Wyatt Family (without Luke Harper) makes their return to Monday Night Raw. A couple of minutes into Bray Wyatt’s promo, they are interrupted by The New Day, who preach about the Power of Positivity. Wyatt is angry that the Tag Team Champions interrupted his return, and there is not much to go on, but it seems like there is a new Tag Team Championship feud in the works.
Rusev (w/Lana) vs. Titus O’Neil
Last night, Titus O’Neil failed to capture the United States Championship from Rusev when his own family was at ringside. During and after the match, Rusev taunted O’Neil’s family, so tonight, O’Neil wants to avenge his family.
Before the match has a chance to start, O’Neil takes the fight to Rusev, assaulting him all over ringside. Rusev is so stunned by the attack that he retreats to the back. Result: No Contest
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Whoever wins this match will face Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Battleground. Last night at the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View, Seth Rollins won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Roman Reigns. With a win over Reigns less than 24 hours ago, Seth Rollins could have the advantage in this match.
After both men spill over the Spanish announce table (which is on Raw for some reason), they both fail to get in the ring before the count of ten. Result: No Contest
Shane McMahon goes to restart the match, but Ambrose wants to fight both of them. It’s official: Dean Ambrose will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns at Battleground.
