– The post-SummerSlam edition of WWE RAW opens up on the USA Network with a video package of highlights from Saturday’s big event. We’re now live from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Wade Barrett. The new red brand announce team talks about their arrival and reveal that the first hour of tonight’s show will be commercial-free.
– We go right to the ring and out comes Cody Rhodes to a big pop and pyro. Samantha Irvin does the introduction. Rhodes hits the ring and poses in the corner to more pyro.
The music stops and fans chant “Cody!” as he takes it all in. Cody asks Minneapolis what they want to talk about. Cody says… how about one of your own? A Beast who sharpened his claws here, was educated here… University of Minnesota’s own Brock Lesnar. Cody goes on about how he’s had the privilege, honor and misery of being in the ring with Lesnar and that’s one thing… Cody shows us a still of Lesnar shaking his hand after their match. He was talking to his mom about how surprised he was at the moment, and she told him this was Lesnar acknowledging him. Cody says after SummerSlam he feels on top of the world, like he can beat anyone in the world. The music interrupts and out comes WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to a big pop.
Rollins hits the ring, stops to stare at Cody, then goes on to play to the crowd. The music stops and fans keep singing for Rollins. Rollins welcomes us to Monday Night Rollins. Rollins says when he previously came out to discuss the title, Cody was the first one to come down and get in his face, so this is Rollins returning the favor. Rollins says if Cody really means he can beat anyone… how about putting that feeling to the test tonight? The music interrupts and out comes The Judgment Day to boos – Damian Priest, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, and WWE NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio.
Priest says Rollins and Cody are confused if they think they run RAW… Ripley says because The Judgment Day does. Priest says they don’t dictate title shots either because that’s his job as Senor Money In the Bank. Priest praises his stablemates and says Cody may be done with Lesnar, but Dominik is not done with Cody. Cody and Dominik face off. Priest says Dominik is the true workhorse of WWE, not Cody. Fans chant “Cody!” as he and Dominik face off. Dominik goes to speak but the loud boos drown him out.
Finn Balor suddenly attacks Rollins from out of nowhere. Priest and Dominik attack Cody. The music hits and out comes Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn to make the save. Sami unloads and knocks Priest to the floor. Sami and Cody take Dominik out next. Balor attacks Sami but Cody and Rollins take him out. The Judgment Day regroups at ringside as Cody, Rollins and Sami look on from the ring. Cody takes the mic and says he has a solution for all of this. Cody says there’s three of you and three of us, how about I team with my friend Sami and the World Champion to take on The Judgment Day? Fans pop. Rollins has words with Cody as Sami tries to keep the peace. Cody’s music starts up.
– We see how GUNTHER retained the WWE Intercontinental Title over Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam. We now see video of Ricochet in Adam Pearce’s office this afternoon. Pearce admits he saw Logan Paul cheat to win the SummerSlam opener, but the referee’s decision is final. Pearce apologizes to Ricochet. He ends up bringing in Matt Riddle, Tommaso Ciampa and Chad Gable, then announcing a Fatal 4 Way to determine GUNTHER’s next challenger. They all talk themselves up to end the segment.
WWE Intercontinental Title #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Matt Riddle vs. Chad Gable vs. Ricochet
We go back to the ring to determine the next challenger to WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER as Ricochet makes his way out. We see highlights from Ricochet vs. Logan Paul at SummerSlam. Matt Riddle is out next, followed by Tommaso Ciampa. Alpha Academy is out next – Chad Gable with Otis and Maxxine Dupri. Gable poses to a pop on the stage as Otis and Dupri go backstage.
The bell rings and they go at it. There are lots of counters and pin attempts early on, then a stalemate. Fans chant for Gable and he thanks them. At one point Riddle has an ankle lock on Ciampa while Gable has an ankle lock on Ricochet. Ciampa and Ricochet are sent to the floor, then Gable and Riddle go at it for several minutes.
Ricochet and Ciampa end up coming back in and Ricochet hits a big standing moonsault on Ciampa for a close 2 count. At one point Gable hits a huge triple German suplex out of the corner for a big pop. We see GUNTHER backstage watching. Ciampa blocks Gable’s Chaos Theory but Gable takes him down into the ankle lock. Ciampa gets to the bottom rope but that does nothing in this kind of match.
Gable tightens the hold but Riddle kicks him, then powerbombs him, then hits a big knee strike. Gable kicks out at 2 as Ricochet runs in with a standing Shooting Star Press and a T-bone suplex. They go on and now Ciampa tangles with Riddle. Riddle with the Final Flash knee.
Riddle takes Ciampa up top as fans chant “Bro!” now. Riddle with a big superplex on Ciampa but Gable immediately hits a big splash from the top on Ciampa while Ricochet hits a 450 Splash on Riddle at the same time. We get a double pin attempt for 2. Fans chant “this is awesome!” now.
More back and forth now. Ricochet tries to fly in but Ciampa knees him in mid-air. Ciampa hits Project Ciampa for a close 2 count. Riddle with the Bro-Derek on Ciampa but Gable breaks the pin up with a top rope splash. The match goes on until Ricochet prevents Gable’s Chaos Theory on Ciampa. Ciampa then uses a Fame-asser to stop a Chaos Theory to Ricochet. Gable comes right back and hits Chaos Theory on Ciampa for the pin to win.
Winner and New #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Title: Chad Gable
– After the bell, Gable gets a big pop as he goes to the corner to pose. The music hits and we go to replays. We see GUNTHER watching backstage as Gable celebrates to cheers. Gable goes out and greets his family in the front row. He takes his small child and runs around with them at ringside as fans cheer him on.
– We get a video package looking back at Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar from SummerSlam.
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn, and Cody Rhodes are backstage. There’s tension and some arguing as they prepare for the main event as Rollins doesn’t like Cody and Sami discussing strategy without him. Rollins says he doesn’t want to be on a team with Cody. Sami says he’s tired of The Judgment Day… they injured his partner Kevin Owens… and now we have the chance, as three of the very best, to stand together and take care of them. They all say they’re cool but the obvious tension remains. Cody and Rollins walk away in different directions. Sami says that didn’t feel cool.
– We get a video package of highlights from Tribal Combat at SummerSlam. Jey Uso and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will both be on the show.
– The Miz is backstage waiting to do a photo shoot. He thinks this place is a dump and he’s ready to get out of here. A production assistant tells Miz he will have to wait for his photo shoot. Miz asks why and the camera looks over to LA Knight posing for photos. Miz it not happy with this. Miz says this guy wins one Battle Royal and now this. Miz refuses to wait on LA… he walks off and heads out to tell Adam Pearce about this.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bronson Reed
We go back to the ring and out comes Shinsuke Nakamura to a big pop. Bronson Reed is out next. We see a video of recent happenings between the two.
The bell hits and they lock up. Reed takes it to the ropes, then backs off. They lock up again and Reed takes it to the corner, then holds Nakamura there as the referee counts. Reed backs off again and Nakamura charges but Reed applies a headlock. The hold is broken and Nakamura charges but Reed drops him with a big shoulder.
Reed taunts Nakamura and tells him to bring it, just like Nakamura always does. Nakamura ends up attacking and unloading, then driving knees into Reed while he’s down. Reed comes back easily and clubs Nakamura back down. Reed takes his time beating Nakamura around now. Reed with big thrusts in the corner as fans rally for Nakamura by chanting his name. Nakamura ends up countering Reed and hitting a big sliding knee, then a big kick.
Nakamura with Good Vibrations in the corner now. Nakamura backs off and yells at Reed to bring it. Reed charges but Nakamura hits a big boot to send Reed to the floor. Nakamura with a baseball slide to knock Reed into the announce table. Nakamura stands Reed up but Reed shoves him away. Reed goes back in and Nakamura follows.
Nakamura counters a powerslam but runs right back into a big standing splash. Reed drops a big elbow. Reed with another big standing splash to knock Nakamura from the apron to the floor. Reed looks on from the ring as we go to commercial.
More back and forth after the break. Reed with a big powerslam. Reed with a big running powerbomb to shake the ring but Nakamura kicks out at 2. Reed climbs up to the top but Nakamura rocks him and hits the high knee. They go on and Nakamura charges but Reed hits a fall-away slam for a 2 count. Reed keeps control and taunts Nakamura to boos. Nakamura blocks a powerbomb and they tangle but Reed ducks a shot and drops Nakamura.
Reed goes up top for the Tsunami Splash but he misses it as Nakamura moves. Nakamura quickly hits a Kinshasa to the back of Reed’s head as he comes out of the corner. Nakamura then stands in the opposite corner and yells out, then charges with a second Kinshasa for the pin to win.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, Nakamura stands tall and poses in the corner as the music hits and we go to replays. Nakamura continues celebrating and bows to the crowd as we see medics tending to Reed while he’s down.
– We see recent happenings between WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea and Raquel Rodriguez. We see video from earlier today with Rodriguez, Adam Pearce, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae in the trainer’s room. The trainer explains to Pearce how serious Raquel’s injury is, she has to understand she’s just not ready. Pearce offers words of encouragement and tells Raquel to just hang in there. Pearce walks off. Indi and LeRae offer support to Rodriguez.
– We go back to the ring and out comes Becky Lynch to a big pop. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and we see screenshots of SummerSlam media coverage. We go backstage to Maxxine Dupri, who is on the phone with Otis telling him stuff to get for later. Ludwig Kaiser interrupts and says he came to congratulate Chad Gable on his Fatal 4 Way win. Kaiser says WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER is already looking forward to wiping the ring with Gable’s body. Dupri says “eww!” and tells Kaiser to leave. Kaiser says he’s had his eyes on Dupri for weeks… he thinks she has a lot of potential but there are some in the women’s locker room that are better than her. Kaiser goes on about his European looks and says Dupri should leave that “big disgusting beast” Otis. He proceeds to knock Otis to Dupri until she slaps him. Otis shows up now. He has words with Kaiser, then challenges him to a match later tonight. Kaiser says he will see Otis out there, and he will also be seeing Dupri. He walks off. We go back to the ring and Lynch waits as we see what happened with Lynch, Zoey Stark and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus on last week’s show. Cole reminds us how Pearce booked Lynch vs. Stratus for next week with Stark banned from ringside.
Fans chant “Becky!” as she waits in the ring now. She talks about being so close to the end, after months of dealing with this, she’s tired but ready to put an end to this charade for good next week when she gets her rematch with Trish. Lynch says it will be the greatest of that generation vs. the greatest of this generation, and the next, and the next, and the next, and to infinity.
Lynch goes on until the music hits and out comes Stark. She says this has gone on long enough. Stark says she and Trish have both defeated Lynch. She goes on and says this is all about The Man being scared of Zoey. Stark is on the apron now, saying The Man left her balls at home. Lynch asks Stark what she’s doing, and goes on to praise her for her in-ring work. Lynch says Stark plays second fiddle to Trish and has latched onto her, and no matter how good she is, she’s too stupid to do the right thing. Stark fires back and says she does not play second fiddle to anyone. Stark agrees that she is excellent in the ring. Stark goes on and says she is the greatest rising Superstar in WWE. The music hits and out comes Shayna Baszler.
Baszler is sporting a big black eye from her MMA Rules win over Ronda Rousey at SummerSlam. Lynch says damn, Baszler looks rough. Baszler says well you should see how Rousey looks but you won’t be able to because she’s not here tonight. Baszler says she beat Rousey at SummerSlam and drove her out of WWE. Fans cheer. Baszler asks Stark who’s the baddest now? Stark says Baszler just looks like the baddest punching bag. They have words and Stark threatens to send Baszler out of WWE like Rousey. They face off and Lynch says those sound like fighting words, so how about fighting right now? Lynch calls out Adam Pearce and he makes the match official. Lynch’s music hits as she exits the ring as a referee enters and steps in between Stark and Baszler.
– Back from the break and we see SummerSlam highlights from Finn Balor vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. We go backstage and Balor is talking to JD McDonagh. Damian Priest walks up and says he and Balor need to talk, meaning away from JD. Balor says anything Priest needs to say to him he can say in front of JD, he’s known him for years. Priest brings up how Balor didn’t come out with The Judgment Day earlier tonight, which was the plan. Balor says Priest didn’t follow the plan at SummerSlam. Priest says he went out there to make sure Balor won a World Title… but even with his help, Balor lost. Balor says maybe he lost at SummerSlam because of Priest. Balor and Priest stand face-to-face now. Balor says the Money In the Bank contract is getting in their way. Priest says Balor is crowding his space right now. WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley interrupts and says they’re not doing this again. She says they need to act like men instead of children. She tells Balor how they all came to help him at SummerSlam but for just one night it didn’t work. Ripley says she needs them to get on the same page so they can get back to running RAW. Balor and Priest hesitate but agree amid tension. JD says this may not be his place to speak but the briefcase is getting between Balor and Priest, so they should get rid of it. JD walks off and Balor follows. Priest is upset with JD but Ripley holds him back and tells him to ignore JD because he’s not in The Judgment Day.
Shayna Baszler vs. Zoey Stark
We go back to the ring as Shayna Baszler goes at it with Zoey Stark. Becky Lynch is watching from her chair at ringside, and she’s sharing a jug of lemonade with Cole and Barrett.
This was a good back & forth match with Stark holding her own and dominating the veteran at times. The finish saw Baszler hit Piper’s Pit for the pin to win.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
– After the match, Baszler stands tall as the music hits. Lynch looks on from ringside.
– Byron Saxton is backstage with Shinsuke Nakamura now. He says he’s tired of people getting in his way but tonight he won and from now on, he will carve his own path. The interview is cut when we hear things being knocked around. Saxton and the camera man run over to find JD McDonagh standing over Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn, beating him down. Officials tell JD to leave as they check on Zayn. We go to commercial with Zayn laid out.
– Back from the break and we see SummerSlam graphics on the various records set.
Otis vs. Ludwig Kaiser
We go back to the ring and out comes Maxxine Dupri. Ludwig Kaiser is out next with Giovanni Vinci. Dupri got involved from the apron a few times during the match.
The finish saw Otis run wild with signature offense until Vinci hit the apron and Otis had to interrupt The Caterpillar. Otis slammed Vinci into the ring from the apron, but then WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER appeared from out of nowhere, laying Otis out. The referee never saw it. Kaiser follows up and pins Otis for the win.
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser
– After the match, Imperium triple teams Otis until Chad Gable runs down to make the save. The Ring General retreats to the apron with a smile. The champ laughs as the #1 contender stares him down. Fans pop and chant for Gable now.
– We see what happened with JD McDonagh and Sami Zayn earlier. Jackie Redmond tries to get an update from Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes. Cody goes to speak but so does Rollins. Cody tells Rollins to take this interview, he will catch up with Rollins in a minute. Cody walks off. Rollins says Sami wants to go but doctors won’t let him. Rollins says it will be 2-on-1 but he’s not sure if he can trust Cody. Shinsuke Nakamura walks up and offers to replace Sami. Rollins says he’s had a lot of respect for Nakamura for a long time, so let’s ride. They shake on it and Rollins walks off as Nakamura smirks.
– We go back to the ring and out comes The Miz in a suit. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and we see highlights from the SummerSlam Battle Royal. Miz is in the ring with a mic now. He rants about how people stopped showing respect to veterans. He mentions how the fans all love this LA Knight guy. Miz goes on about how he’s a veteran and a locker room leader, he was taught to show respect, introduce yourself when you walk into a locker room, shake hands. Miz is so sick and tired of the lack of respect from the so-called new crop of talent. The music hits and out comes LA to a big pop.
Knight says he thought he introduced himself just fine in the Battle Royal but if that doesn’t work, let him introduce himself right now. Fans go along with LA’s intro. LA offers his hand for a shake but Miz refuses it. Miz goes on ranting on LA… saying he’s what you get when you strip away all the good from Miz, he’s nothing but a flavor of the month. Miz goes on and says he thinks LA is nothing but an Attitude Era fanboy playing cosplay in his ring. A small “tiny balls!” chant starts up. LA says he does not have a problem with Miz but trust him… Miz does not want to make this personal. Miz fires back and says he takes his career very personal. He goes on about his history in WWE and his accomplishments. Miz is fired up now as he says he made himself indestructible to anyone in the locker room. Miz says he’s been out here for 20 years… so what has LA done?
LA says so personal it is. LA says he’s been making himself a dangerous man. He’s been scratching and clawing, looking in from the outside while this place bet on all the wrong horses… including Miz. LA says he was just waiting for the right opening. He says here is Miz with his 20 year head start… he got that head start because he’s safe… they knew they could kick Miz around and kick him out of the locker room and he would take it. LA says he was always told WWE wasn’t ready for him… because he’s a dangerous man. LA goes on and says he’s not to be messed with, and that’s the difference between he and Miz.
LA says good on Miz for all his title wins… LA hasn’t been there yet but here he is on the climb to the top and Miz’s career is in the damn toilet. LA says if Miz wants to make it personal, he does not mind making Miz a stepping stone and walk over him to the main event where he belongs. Miz is angry now… he says he is the main event and LA is not on his level. They face off and LA says prove him wrong, he’s not going anywhere. LA drops the mic, Miz takes his suit jacket off. Fans pop big as they face off for a fight, but Miz turns to leave and picks up his jacket to boos. LA barely turns the other way but this is enough for Miz to hit him with a cheap shot. Miz decks LA and they tangle now. LA blocks a Skull Crushing Finale and drops Miz with the BFT for a big pop. LA’s music hits and he exits the ring to cheers.
– We see video from earlier today with The Viking Raiders. Erik and Ivar say they are The Viking Raiders. Valhalla says after their vicious campaign, the Gods have called. Erik and Ivar say they have answered. Valhalla mentions how they will go into battle and there will be a sacrifice. Erik and Ivar say this sacrifice will go to the Gods.
The Viking Raiders vs. The New Day
We go back to the ring and out comes The Viking Raiders – Erik and Ivar with Valhalla. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and we see more SummerSlam media headlines. We go back to the ring and out comes The New Day making their surprise returns. Fans pop big as Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods head to the ring. Both teams dominated at times in this match. The finish saw Woods tag in and go to the top as Kofi sent Erik to the floor. Kofi hit Trouble In Paradise on Ivar, then dives out to the floor to take Erik back down. Woods steps out onto the top rope and hits the big flying elbow drop on Ivar for the pin to win.
Winners: The New Day
– After the match, Kingston and Woods continued their big return celebration.
– Byron Saxton is backstage with Becky Lynch now, asking about next week’s match. Shayna Baszler interrupts and says she didn’t need Lynch’s help tonight and won’t ever need it. Baszler says now that she’s done with Ronda Rousey, she has a whole list of scores to settle and that means she will be coming for The Man. Lynch says she’s looking forward to it. Baszler walks off.
– Still to come, our six-man main event. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and Jackie Redmond is backstage with The New Day. They say it feels good to be back. Did The Viking Raiders sacrifice them to the Gods? Kofi Kingston says no, they forgot The New Day are the gods of WWE. Xavier Woods talks about the locker room and says they came back to inject some positivity into everything, and that includes winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles. They do the “New Day rocks!” chant and walk off.
– Michael Cole shows us the TMZ story on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sonya Deville suffering a torn ACL. Cole says WWE will have to figure out what to do with the titles. Barrett sends best wishes to Deville and says they can’t wait to have her back.
The Judgment Day vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura
We go back to the ring for tonight’s main event as The Judgment Day is out first – Finn Balor, Damian Priest and WWE NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio with WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. They stop on the aisle while being introduced. Priest offers a fist bump to Balor. Balor looks at it and finally bumps back. Priest and Balor head to the ring as Ripley whispers something in Dominik’s ear. Dominik heads to the ring as Raquel Rodriguez rushes in from out of nowhere, taking out Ripley to a big pop. They brawl as officials come out and try to keep them apart. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae come out to assist the injured Rodriguez, to talk her out of fighting it appears. Ripley launches Indi into the barrier, then drops LeRae. Officials are still holding Raquel back when LeRae attacks Ripley again. Ripley and LeRae brawl now as officials try to hold them back. Dominik looks on as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and things have calmed down. Ripley is with Dominik now. Cole shows us how IYO SKY won the WWE Women’s Title at SummerSlam. Cody Rhodes is out next to a big pop, followed by Shinsuke Nakamura. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is out next as fans sing his song. Rollins and Cody argue over who will start the match, and Nakamura says he will. Balor looks to start with Nakamura but Priest tags in and has words with Balor over who will start. Dominik tags himself in and they are not happy.
Fans loudly boo Dominik now. Nakamura strikes first and unloads on Dominik for a 2 count. Dominik goes to the floor to regroup with his stablemates as Nakamura poses in the ring and tells Dominik to bring it. Back to commercial.
This was a wild non-stop tag team main event with antics from both sides, lots of close calls, counters and finishers. Ripley also interfered. The finish saw Rhodes run wild with offense, then go for a Cross Rhodes but Priest hit him with the Money In the Bank briefcase. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn ran down and took out Priest, sending him over the announce table. Rollins ended up superkicking the briefcase into Balor’s face, then Cody hit him with Cross Rhodes for the pin to win.
Winners: Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura
– After the match, Rollins’ music hits as the winners stand tall and celebrate. We go to replays. Rollins calls on Zayn to join them for the celebration. Rollins and Rhodes end up having some words and there’s tension but Sami comes between them and raises their arms in victory. Rollins and Rhodes then shake hands, and hit the corners to pose. Nakamura looks on, then suddenly levels Rollin with a Kinshasa from out of nowhere, shocking everyone. Nakamura exits the ring and walks straight to the back as the post-SummerSlam goes off the air.
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