August 8, 2016
Episode 1211
(aired live)
#RAW
City: Anaheim, CA
Venue: Honda Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Video
Last week on RAW: Rollins confronted Balor, Reigns confronted Rusev, Randy Orton RKOed Brock Lesnar (and Lesnar F5ed Orton on SmackDown).
Intro Video
“Enemies” by Shinedown
Ring Area
Enzo Amore and Big Cass head to the ring. Enzo acts like a douche about how he acted with Sasha last week, then he complains about Jericho. Jericho comes out and calls Enzo and Cass a couple of goofballs. He then brings out his backup, Kevin Owens. Owens says he used to like Big Cass, but he doesn’t now because he brought Enzo to RAW. Then Jericho tells Enzo that he’s going to get “it.”
Match 1
Enzo Amore w/ Big Cass vs Chris Jericho w/ Kevin Owens
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: Chris Jericho wins via DQ after Big Cass big boots him
Time: 7:42 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Nothing wrong with it, but I expect these four men will have even better matches over the next few weeks.
Ring Area
After the match, Cass gets on the mic and challenges Owens and Jericho to a match at Summer Slam. Owens and Jericho accept.
Backstage
Mick Foley talks to Stephanie on the phone and lies about using the tablet she gave him. Sasha Banks walks up and asks for a handicap match at Summer Slam. Instead, Foley makes a match between Sasha and Dana Brooke for tonight. If Sasha wins then Dana will be banned from ringside for the Summer Slam match. If Sasha loses then the Summer Slam match will be a handicap match.
Backstage
Byron Saxton asks Jorel Nelson why he would want to face Braun Strowman. Nelson says nothing.
Match 2
Braun Strowman vs Jorel Nelson
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Braun Strowman wins via pinfall after a reverse chokeslam
Time: 0:49
Match Thoughts
Same thing as the past two weeks. Squash. At least they’re trying to make it a little entertaining by letting the local talent have a nice moment on RAW.
Backstage
Sean Combs gives Mick Foley front row tickets to a show. New Day (minus Big E) shows up and Woods congratulates Puff Daddy on being an producer of WWE 2K17. Puffy then asks how Big E is doing after the attack he suffered last week. He’s not doing well.
Match 3
Darren Young w/ Bob Backlund vs Titus O’Neil
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Darren Young wins via pinfall with a schoolboy (and a handful of tights)
Time: 1:58
Match Thoughts
An okay match, but this was really just a way to further the feud between Young and O’Neil.
Ring Area
#WWEUniversalTitle
Seth Rollins heads to the ring. He has learned a few things in the new era. For one, Balor’s name is made up. That would be like Rollins calling himself “Rambo Apocalypse.” Also, Balor is very disrespectful. RAW is his show. He ended the Roman Empire, and he’s going to become the first Universal Champ.
Match 4
Sheamus vs Cesaro
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Cesaro wins with an O’Connor roll
Time: 7:56 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Pretty hard-hitting, strong style match with a pretty fun finish.
Video
A look at the history between Lesnar and Orton.
Match 5
Dudley Boyz vs Neville & Sin Cara
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: Neville pins D-Von Dudley after a Red Arrow
Time: 5:19
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match, though it seemed a little disjointed. Neville and Sin Cara didn’t work as a team nearly at all, but individually they were fine.
Ring Area
Rusev and Lana head to the ring and celebrate their recent wedding by showing pictures and reciting their vows, until Roman Reigns interrupts the proceedings. Reigns offers to be Rusev’s best man and give them a toast, but Rusev doesn’t want his stupid toast. Reigns then challenges Rusev to a US Title match, but again Rusev refuses. Reigns then goes ahead with his toast to the “Bulgarian sasquatch and mail-order bride.” Rusev gets upset, Reigns is disappointed, and the two guys fight. The scuffle leads to Lana getting a face-full of cake.
** This wasn’t as bad as an actual wedding. I actually liked Reigns’ bit, and the cake in the face, though expected and clichéd in wrestling, was pretty funny. Lana got all up in that cake. **
Backstage
Rusev is screaming at Foley, saying that he needs to do something about Roman Reigns. Foley gives Rusev his chance at retribution, in a US Title match at Summer Slam.
** I’m looking forward to this match. I think it’ll be good, and this is a good spot for Reigns. **
Match 6
Sasha Banks (Women’s Champ) vs Dana Brooke w/ Charlotte
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Sasha Banks wins via pinfall after a double knee drop in the corner
Time: 2:41
Match Thoughts
Pretty fast and one-sided, but it served it’s purpose and was fine.
Video
Nia Jax isn’t like other girls.
Video Promo
Finn Balor talks about Irish legends and myths.
** This was kind of cool, but Rollins’ in-ring promo probably won the night between these two. **
Video Promo
Anderson and Gallows play doctor and warn the WWE superstars about “ringpostitus,” making lots of testicle jokes and puns.
** This was kind of amusing. I think the best part is that Gallows has gone by the name “Doc Gallows” in the past. **
Match 7
Kofi Kingston (Tag Champ) w/ Xavier Woods (Tag Champ) vs Luke Gallows w/ Karl Anderson
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: Luke Gallows wins via pinfall after a fireman’s carry flapjack
Time: 1:33
Match Thoughts
It seemed like they had to abbreviate this match for time. It was super short and not much happened.
Earlier Today
Golden Truth meet Scooby Doo in the parking lot of the arena. R-Truth is a little jealous of Goldust’s friendship with Scooby, but they end up all going off to watch the new Scooby Doo/WWE movie.
Ring Area
Foley heads to the ring and, in the spirit of brotherhood, introduces Daniel Bryan so they can discuss the recent shenanigans with Lesnar and Orton. Foley apologizes for Lesnar invading SmackDown. Bryan half-heartedly apologizes for Orton starting it.
Foley then brings up the fact that Bryan made fun of the Universal Title on the SmackDown’s post-show. Daniel tries to justify it, but Foley says it’s a serious deal. Rusev then comes out and says that RAW doesn’t need a new champ because he is the only champ the show needs. Cesaro then comes out and thinks that he deserves a championship opportunity. Foley decides to give Cesaro a shot at the US Title. Right now.
Match 8
US Title Match
Rusev (US Champ) vs Cesaro
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Rusev wins via pinfall after a thumb to the eye and a Brogue Kick from Sheamus (out of sight of the ref)
Time: 9:36
Match Thoughts
I liked this. It came out of nowhere but it made total sense. I think the fact that Reigns has a title shot at Summer Slam hurt the believability that Cesaro would win, but the action in the ring and the reaction from Rusev as he handed the title to the ref at the start of the match got me to buy into it. This was well done all around.
Ring Area
After the match, Reigns runs down the ramp and spears Rusev.
Show Impressions
Not a bad show. I think the whole Bryan/Foley thing was a bit underwhelming and a lot of the matches were lacking in length, but I still enjoyed the show.
Match of the Night
Rusev vs Cesaro
Easily the best, most exciting match on the show. Most of the matches were for storyline purposes (at the expense of wrestling), but this one managed to have good wrestling and further two stories.