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Roman Reigns opened the show and was appalled by the attacks on him in the recent week. He mentioned how much he detested his attackers for not having the guts to face him in the ring and instead attack him when he had his guard down.
Dolph Ziggler interfered The Big Dog and was not happy about the support Roman was getting from the WWE Universe. Ziggler shocked everyone by hitting a sudden Superkick on Roman and a match was made official as a brawl broke out between the two.
Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler
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Dolph had control of the match until Roman reversed a charge to the corner, sending Ziggler out to the floor. Roman then headed out there as well, nailing Ziggler with the drive-by. Dolph Ziggler nailed a DDT and got two near falls on the former Universal Champion. Ziggler hit a second Zigzag and Roman kicked out yet again.
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Ziggler mocked Roman by doing the arm-pump motion and stomped his feet on the canvas and went for the Sweet Chin Music which was reversed into a Superman Punch by Roman. Roman went for a spear but Ziggler turned it into a Famouser. Ziggler was looking to end things but The Big Dog instead hit a spear and got the three count, winning the match.
Result: Roman Reigns def. Dolph Ziggler
Match rating: B
Becky Lynch was criticizing Sasha Banks and her 'dollar store glasses' when we cut to Jerry 'the King' Lawler who was in the ring. He introduced us to the competitors of the King of the Ring tournament and made his predictions when the lights began to go out. Lawler ran out of the ring and made it to the stage when the Fiend caught him from behind with the mandible claw before dissapearing into the darkness.
Segment rating: A
Ricochet & The Miz vs. Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin
Ricochet and The Miz teamed up to take out the heels with an amazing display of skill as the match started. We returned from commercials to see Corbin break down the Miz with his fists before he tagged McIntyre who threw him around like a ragdoll. Ricochet was itching for a tag and got it at the right moment as Baron came back in. Ricochet went back and forth between his opponents and Corbin was in trouble.
Ricochet hit a standing moonsault but Drew broke the following count. Drew missed the Claymore and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale but Corbin came in with a Deep Six to Ricochet. Miz came in with a timely distraction and allowed Ricochet to get the three count on Corbin for the win.
Result: Ricochet & The Miz def. Drew McIntyre & Baron Corbin
Match rating: A
Sasha Banks was backstage to talk about her actions last week but before that, Booker T came on a skype conversation with Cole where he talked about winning the King of the Ring. He predicted that Drew McIntyre would win this year.
AJ Styles (c) vs. Braun Strowman - United States Title match
AJ Styles went for a face slap, taunting the Monster who knocked the champ halfway across the ring in return. AJ got a kick in and went for the forearm but was swatted out of the air with Braun Strowman's giant mitts. Gallows and Anderson wasted no time and interfered in the match, earning Braun a DQ win but the title was still AJ's.
Result: Braun Strowman def. AJ Styles via DQ
They were going for the magic killer and Rollins appeared to repat the favor from last week and decimate the OC. A tag team match was sure to come it looked like, but for once, it didn't.
Match rating: B
Backstage, Rollins offered Braun a future title match but tonight, he wanted to team up with him for a shot at the RAW Tag Team Titles.
Samoa Joe vs. Cesaro - King of the Ring: Round 1
Cesaro went after Samoa Joe with a lot of aggression just as the match began. Joe threw Cesaro out of the ring as we headed for commercials. We returned to see Joe still in control and Cesaro hit a humongous kick to the mouth of Samoa Joe, taking down the big guy in one swift motion. Joe was still in the fight as the match went outside the ring and then back inside for a top rope crossbody. Joe finally nailed a senton and a Uranagi, which lead to a two count.
Cesaro took Joe for a swing and then locked in the Sharpshooter followed by a cross-face. Joe managed to get the Coquina Clutch on Cesaro, which lead to an immediate tap out.
Result: Samoa Joe def. Cesaro and advanced in the King of the Ring tournament
Match rating: A
Elias was out next and was having audio issues after announcing his retirement from performing in the ring. His guitar was out of tune and he asked for another one. A stagehand came out and it turned out to be R-Truth, who tried to pin him for the 24/7 title and failed. He instead went after Elias with the guitar as the performer ran away backstage.
Rey Mysterio was trying to make a long winded announcement backstage and it sounded like he was going to announce his retirement. He said that he was losing his edge and was not in the best shape before he was about to take off his mask but Dominick stopped him at the last second. He told Rey not to do it and stay in the WWE and that he was gonna make Rey proud. Rey agreed to hold off on his retirement and that was that.
The New Day vs. The Revival
Dawson and E started oof the match and Xavier Woods was tagged in early on and so was Wilder. We returned form a break to see The New Day in control as Woods hit a huge dropkick from the top rope before tagging in Big E who took care of the opposing team quick and easy. E was getting ready to finish the match when Randy Orton came in with an RKO out of literally nowhere and Kofi came in as well to make the save.
Result: The New Day def. The Revival via DQ
Randy took out Kofi and was going in for another RKO but Woods got in his way and took an RKO himself. The New Day were down and the heels stood tall before the Revival injured Woods' leg and Orton made Kofi watch.
Match rating: B
Up next, Cole was finally interviewing Sasha Banks who went on about her blue hair. When asked about her attack on Natalya, she just said "you're welcome" and left.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya DeVille
Cross and DeVille kicked off the match and the tags were made as Mandy and Sonya hit Bliss with a double-team move. Bliss got control of the match and made a tag, hitting a double team of their own. Mandy hit a big knee and took down Bliss as Sonya took down Cross with tough strikes.
Cross took out Mandy and ate a backbreaker from DeVille before hitting her with a neck breaker for the three-count.
Result: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. Mandy Rose & Sonya DeVille
Match rating: B
Backstage, Braun told Rollins to follow his lead and they would walk out as champions.
Cedric Alexander vs. Sami Zayn - King of the Ring: Round 1
Sami Zayn took the lead early on with two nearfalls but Cedric used his athleticism to get the momentum back. Zayn got a Blue Thunderbomb early on but still no pinfall. Alexander hit a devastating lumbar check after a huge kick for the three count.
Result: Cedric Alexander def. Sami Zayn and advanced in the King of the Ring tournament
Match rating: C
The Street Profits were backstage to hype the show more than anyone thought was possible.
The OC were backstage and AJ was coaching them into focusing on the mathc ahead. Natalya was having another emotional moment bakstage when Sasha attacked her again and slammed her injured hand into a desk drawer, injuring her further.
The OC (c) vs. Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman - RAW Tag Team Title match
Braun and Gallows kicked off the match and Strowman knocked Gallows back with no efort. The tags were made and Rollins was dominating for a moment before Anderson hit him in his injured ribs. Gallows came back in and stopped Seth from making the tag while outside, Strowman was going for AJ Styles. Gallows went outside and helped their leader by taking out Braun but the distraction let Seth get the upper hand on the OC.
Rollins evaded every pin attempt but the OC kept the pressure on. Strowman decimated everyone outside the ring and got the tag. Braun hit the powerslam on Anderson and got the win!
Result: Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman def. the OC and are the new RAW Tag Team Champions
Match rating: A
Episode rating: A
A great start to the King of the Ring tournament and a phenomenal main event.
