Today’s episode of RAW came from Long Island, NY. It featured the WWE Superstar Shake-Up, which was announced by Mr McMahon last week on RAW. How did the Shake-Up fare? Let’s find out.
DISCLAIMER: Photos and videos will be added as available
‘John Cena’ kicks-off RAW
John Cena’s music hit as RAW kicked off as he came out with what looked like Nikki Bella. It turned out to be Miz and Maryse once again. Miz came out and started chants of Cena sucks, before telling the crowd how Cena and Nikki sucked at acting and were ‘robotic’ so Hollywood had rejected them.
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Dean Ambrose’s music hit at this time and the Intercontinental Champions came out. He congratulated Cena for beating Miz and Maryse at WrestleMania 33 before warning him to not do the Marine 5. An annoyed Miz told Ambrose that he was actually The Miz, after which Ambrose hit him with a Dirty Deeds.
Sami Zayn and Kurt Angle were talking backstage when The Miz and Maryse interrupted them. Miz was trying to tell Angle of how he had escaped Daniel Bryan’s regime at SmackDown when he and Sami started to argue. Angle decided to book a match between them for later in the night instead of getting in the middle of their bickering.
New Day vs. The Revival
In the absence of the ‘injured’ Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods brought a doll in his stead. Kofi was ‘injured’ by The Revival last week on RAW.
Xavier Woods and Big E called out The Revival, vowing revenge for what happened to Kofi last week.
The New Day vs. The Revival
Woods and Dash Wilder started us off. Woods hit him with a side kick as soon as the match started as he took control. Wilder took punishment before tagging in Dawson as we headed to commercial.
We came back to see Dawson all over Woods and in complete control. He soon tagged in Wilder as Woods tried to hit him with a Sunset Flip. Revival rotated tags as Dawson came back in but Woods hit him with a forearm before both men made tags.
Big E came in and hit Wilder with the Bug Splash before tossing an incoming Dawson out of the ring. Dawson then got Big E with a guillotine as Wilder rolled him up. Big E kicked out at 2 before hitting Wilder with a Belly-To-Belly suplex. He then tagged in Woods who hit him with a top rope Elbow Drop for a nearfall.
Wilder then pushed Woods into their corner as Dawson became legal. Big E came in at this time too and New Day looked to hit Wilder with the Midnight Hour but Dawson prevented it. As Woods came flying in for the Midnight Hour, The Revival hit him with a nasty Shatter Machine to pick up the win.
The Revival def. The New Day
We got a backstage segment after this where Neville berated TJ Perkins and told him his career was going nowhere.
We came back from commercial to see Curt Hawkins in the ring. As Hawkins addressed the fans on RAW, Big Show’s music hit. Show came down to the ring as he was greeted by chants of ‘thank you, Big Show’. Hawkins went to hug Big Show but Show was having none of it. He hit Hawkins with a KO punch before leaving the arena.
Austin Aries vs TJ Perkins
Aries started off on top, immediately locking in a chin lock before TJP came back with a head scissors. Perkins then taunted Aries with a dab before Aries manoeuvred out of a headlock with a handstand and then hit a dropkick before posing on the top turnbuckle to taunt TJP.
Aries Irish Whipped Perkins into the rope but he hung onto the ropes and dodged an incoming Aries. Perkins then went for the Wrecking Ball Dropkick but he went crashing into the apron before Aries hit him with a double slap followed by a suicide dive.
At this point, Neville got up to distract Aries and Perkins took full advantage and rolled Austin Aries up for the win.
TJ Perkins def. Austin Aries
TJP attacked Austin Aries from behind after the match and hit him with the Detonation Kick before walking away.
Seth Rollins addressed the WWE Universe
Seth Rollins came out to address the WWE Universe. He thanked the fans for having his back as he slayed the King at WrestleMania. Rollins then added that he had some revenge on his mind as well as a couple of goals – avenging Samoa Joe and winning the WWE Universal Championship.
Rollins then added that after what happened at ‘Mania, he wasn’t going to be named employee of the month. Rollins then teased a move to SmackDown Live and the fans were in two minds about it. However, Rollins then added that he’d already taken the easy way out once and it wouldn’t happen again.
At this point, Kurt Angle’s music hit and our new RAW GM made his way down to the ring.
Angle came out and admitted that Stephanie wanted Seth out of RAW. Angle then added that he found Seth’s one-legged win at WrestleMania impressive and that had impressed him. Kurt then said that he wanted the best show and he needed Seth Rollins on his show and as long as he was GM, Seth would have a home on Monday Night RAW.
As Kurt Angle was leaving the ring, Samoa Joe ambushed Seth Rollins from behind. However, Angle came back and tried to break up the brawl which have Seth the opportunity to hit back with a couple of enzeguiri’s which sent Samoa Joe on the retreat.
Charlotte vs. Nia Jax
Charlotte and Nia started off hard and fast in what looked like it would be a fast-paced affair. Charlotte used her array of kicks to try and even out Nia’s advantage in size but Nia got her up for a modified shoulder-breaker after which she almost dropped Charlotte on her head and neck.
Nia followed it up with a series of elbow drops before Charlotte hit back with a series of kicks. Charlotte followed it up with a Natural Selection for a 2 count. Charlotte then headed to the top rope as Nia was on the outside. Charlotte hit the moonsault from the tope rope and almost took herself out along with Nia.
Back in the ring, Charlotte looked to lock in the Figure-8 but Nia pushed her away. Nia, however, flung Charlotte into the corner before hitting the Samoan Drop for the win.
Nia Jax def. Charlotte
Finn Balor vs Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal started off strong as he hit Balor with a massive boot before locking in a headlock. The fans were completely behind Balor who soon fought back with a Pelle Kick. He followed it up with a Slingblade followed by the dropkick into the corner.
Finn then ascended to the top rope and hit the Coup de Grace to finish Jinder Mahal off in quick fashion.
Finn Balor def. Jinder Mahal
As soon as the match ended, the lights went out and Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen, announcing RAW as his new home. He then told Finn that he had been watching him before disappearing from the screen.
After this, the RAW commentary team confirmed that Apollo Crews, Kalisto, Heath Slater and Rhyno would be moving to RAW.
The Miz vs Sami Zayn
One of RAW’s newest acquisitions, The Miz, took on Sami Zayn. Miz started off with a dirty elbow before Zayn hit back with his trademark triple-armdrags as we headed to a badly timed commercial break.
We came back from the break to see Miz hit Zayn with a neckbreaker. Miz then attempted a superplex but Sami fended him off. Miz got back up quickly and dodged Zayn’s offence before hitting a snap DDT.
Miz then went for Daniel Bryan’s signature Yes Kicks but Sami dodged the last one and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for the nearfall. Sami then looked to hit the Helluva Kick but Maryse pulled Miz out at the last second. Sami then followed Miz out and followed him back into the ring only for Maryse to hold onto his boot.
Miz looked to capitalize with a Skull Crushing Finale but Zayn somehow reversed it into a roll-up for the win.
Sami Zayn def. The Miz
Backstage interview with Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was backstage with Michael Cole who asked him if he felt any remorse for ending The Undertaker’s career. Roman replied that it was bittersweet and the heaviest victory of his career. He said that he respected The Undertaker but he did what he had to do.
The interview got interrupted at this point as Braun Strowman came and tossed Roman into the wall like a ragdoll before flinging him into a table. He then sent Roman face-first into a metal gate before hitting a running powerslam into a stack of equipment crates.
Strowman then rammed a crate into Roman before walking away as EMT’s tended to Roman Reigns.
As Roman lay strapped to the stretcher, Strowman came back and flung the stretcher with Roman strapped on off an elevated surface in the parking area.
The EMT’s came back once again and they stretched a strapped-up Roman into an ambulance. At this point, Braun Strowman came back one last time. With Reigns still inside the ambulance, Strowman overturned the ambulance with a show of brute strength. That was incredible.
The Hardys, Sheamus & Cesaro vs Shining Stars and The Club
As this match was about to start, Elias Samson drifted out along with his trusted guitar as he made his main roster debut.
Jeff Hardy and Primo started us off. Both men soon made tags as Cesaro and Anderson came in. Cesaro tagged in Sheamus as they double-teamed Andreson. Cesaro hit Anderson with a beautiful crossbody from the top rope as we headed to the break.
We came back from commercial to see Gallows all over Cesaro. Anderson soon tagged himself in but Cesaro took him down, forcing him to tag Epico in. At the same time, Matt Hardy got tagged in and he hit Primo with a Side Effect before attempting a Twist Of Fate on Epico but Gallows hit him with a big boot.
Jeff came in and this point and hit a Poetry in Motion over the top ropes and into The Club and Primo. At the same time, Matt hit Epico with a Twist of Fate before Jeff finished him off with the Swanton Bomb for the win.
The Hardys, Cesaro and Sheamus def. Shining Stars and The Club
Bayley addresses fans
Sasha Banks came out and asked the WWE fans to welcome the returning Champion Bayley. After Bayley’s opening salvo, Sasha challenged her to a title shot.
At this point, Alexa Bliss’ music hit. She came out and called Bayley and Sasha nauseating before berating the crowd for cheering for her. She called Sasha and Bayley’s friendship a sideshow before announcing her arrival on RAW.
At this point, Mickie James’ music hit. Mickie came out and announced her own arrival on RAW – the only 6-time WWE Women’s Champion. Mickie then told Alexa that her nightmare had just begun. Nia Jax came out and attacked Mickie James from behind before entering the ring. Alexa pushed Sasha towards Nia and Nia planted her. Nia then took out Bayley before gesturing towards the RAW Women’s Championship and walking away.
Kevin Owens vs Dean Ambrose (Champion vs Champion)
Owens and Ambrose started the match at a frantic pace and it soon spilt out to ringside. Dean hammered Owens while he was against the barricade before pulling his beard. Owens then headed back into the ring before rolling out again as Ambrose dived over the top rope and crashed into him.
We came back from commercial to see Owens in complete control. Ambrose briefly tried to fight back but he crashed into the ringpost before Owens hit him with a running kick as he lay crumpled in the turnbuckle. Owens followed it up with his trademark chin lock.
Owens then followed Ambrose to ringside before picking him up in a Fireman’s Carry and launching him into the ringpost. Ambrose barely managed to avoid the referee’s 10-count as he headed back into the ring. Owens looked to hit him with a Senton to capitalise but Ambrose got his knees up.
As Owens headed out to regroup, Ambrose hit him with a suicide dive before rolling him back into the ring. Ambrose followed it up with a swinging neckbreaker. As he looked to follow it up with a Bulldog, Owens deposited him in the corner and went for a cannonball. Ambrose reversed it and Owens ended up hung up on the top rope as Ambrose hit a top-rope lariat to take him down.
Owens headed to ringside once again, but there was no respite as the ‘Lunatic Fringe’ hit him with a flying elbow. After this, the action headed back into the ring as Ambrose looked to hit a double axehandle from the top rope. Owens hit him with a Superkick to the gut and followed it up with a Packaged Sideslam. Owens followed it up with a Superkick and went for a Dirty Deeds. Ambrose reversed it and hit a Dirty Deeds of his own to pin Owens.
Dean Ambrose def. Kevin Owens
After the match, Chris Jericho’s music hit. Jericho charged into the ring and hit Owens with a Codebreaker as RAW went off-air.
