September 5, 2016
Episode 1215
(aired live)
#RAW
City: Kansas City, MO
Venue: Sprint Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Video
Last week, lots of people apparently overreacted to a good ending to RAW (if the tweets are to be believed). Anyway, Triple H returned and helped Kevin Owens become the new Universal Champ.
Backstage
Earlier today, Mick Foley was upset with Stephanie for not talking to him about what Triple H did. She claims that she knew nothing about it. Foley doesn’t but it, but Steph makes a convincing argument in her defense.
Intro Video
“Enemies” by Shinedown
Ring Area
Already in the ring, Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley introduce Kevin Owens. Owens heads to the ring and refuses to shake Mick’s hand. Owens seems happy, and he acknowledges that he deserves the title. He doesn’t appreciate the fans trying to hijack his moment by chanting though. He doesn’t need to be told that he “deserves it.”
As Owens proclaims that RAW is the “Kevin Owens Show,” Seth Rollins heads to the ring. Rollins blames Stephanie for what happened. Foley stands up for Steph as she tries to defend herself. Rollins assures Stephanie that he will burn the “New Era” to the ground.
Owens tells Rollins that his return from his injury has been a complete failure. At that, Rollins attacks Owens. Stephanie is fed up with everything and suspends Rollins. Foley says that Rollins is not suspended. He explains that this shouldn’t be personal. Instead, he gives Rollins a rematch for the title at Clash of Champions.
** Good segment. The anger felt real and I like the dynamics that are forming between Steph, Mick, Owens, and Rollins. **
Backstage
Steph is pissed at Foley for “usurping her authority.” Owens is also pissed that Foley “rewarded” Rollins’ behavior by giving him a title shot. Foley then rewards Owens’ behavior by putting him in a match with Sami Zayn tonight. Then Chris Jericho walks up. He’s also pissed because Foley is messing with his best friend and the longest reigning Universal Champ in history. Foley rewards his behavior by putting Jericho in a match with Seth Rollins. Steph supports Foley’s decision.
Match 1
Charlotte (Women’s Champ) w/ Dana Brooke vs Bayley
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Bayley wins via pinfall with a Bayley-to-Belly
Time: 9:07
Match Thoughts
Good match, though I question the ending. Up to that point though, I really liked it. Bayley went for a dropkick by sliding through the corner of the ring, but she didn’t do it quite right and hurt her leg. Whether it was real or not, it led to a good match where Charlotte dominated by attacking the leg. The ending just seemed way too sudden and unbelievable to me.
Video
Connor’s Cure is helping children with cancer.
Backstage
Charlotte is furious with Dana Brooke. Dana says she’ll make it up to Charlotte, but Charlotte slaps her and walks away.
Ring Area
Bo Dallas heads to the ring and tells his opponent (in a rhyming verse) to “Bo-lieve in Bo.” Bo seems strangely aggressive and angry.
Match 2
Bo Dallas vs Kyle Roberts
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Bo Dallas wins via pinfall with a Roll of the Dice
Time: 0:39
Match Thoughts
Squash. But it was nice to see an aggressive Bo Dallas. Maybe they’ll start taking him a little seriously? If they do, then I’ll feel a little better about the breakup of the Social Outcasts (though I love the stuff with Heath Slater so I guess I’m already okay with the breakup).
Backstage
Owens and Jericho complain about things. Jericho assures Owens that he will take care of Rollins because Kevin Owens is his best friend.
Match 3
Chris Jericho vs Seth Rollins
(referee: John Cone)
#RollinsvsJericho
Result: Seth Rollins wins via pinfall after a Pedigree
Time: 10:45 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I think one would expect this to be good though. Both guys worked well together, and they were given enough time to develop a good back-and-forth.
Match 4
Best-of-Seven Series – Match 3
Cesaro vs Sheamus
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: Sheamus wins via pinfall with a Brogue Kick
Time: 4:05
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. They started out fast and got right into it. Cesaro was wrestling with a back injury which he got in the previous match, and Sheamus focused on that almost exclusively. It was a dominant performance because of that, but it was entertaining for what it was.
Ring Area
The Shining Stars are in the ring. They want to invite everyone to “come to Puerto Rico,” but Enzo and Cass interrupt. Enzo gives birth. Or something.
Match 5
The Shining Stars vs Enzo Amore & Big Cass
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Epico pins Enzo Amore with a schoolboy
Time: 3:36 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. The Shining Stars looked good (finally), and even though it looked like it was going to turn into a typical Enzo & Cass match, there was a little bit of a change to the formula.
Backstage
Tom Phillips asks Sami Zayn about his match tonight. Zayn has felt directionless after Battleground and admits that he’s a little jealous of Owens. Kevin Owens walks up and gloats. He finally won the race.
Match 6
Nia Jax vs Ann Esposito
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Nia Jax wins via pinfall after a powerslam
Time: 1:37
Match Thoughts
I think it was slightly longer than Jax’s previous matches, but it was still a squash. We’re closing in on two months of just squash matches for her. The commentators were talking about how she’s rocking the foundation of the Women’s Division, but she isn’t. She hasn’t said anything and hasn’t interacted with anyone outside of the local talent in each city. She’s almost in a division of her own on the show.
Ring Area
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are in the ring. After retiring the Dudley Boyz, they are looking to retire the New Day. To show them what they have to look forward to, Anderson and Gallows bring out “The Old Day.” It’s super funny and doesn’t go on too long at all. Nope, not at all.
Thankfully, finally, New Day comes out. They are afraid that the WWE Universe might be destroyed if they touch themselves from the future, so they decide to just beat up the bald guys. Anderson and Gallows walk away. New Day decides to dance, but when Old Day attacks Big E, New Day responds.
** I’d really like for Anderson and Gallows to scale it back with the comedy bits. They’re not very funny yet. **
Match 7
Jinder Mahal vs Darren Young w/ Bob Backlund
(referee: John Cone; guest commentary: Titus O’Neil)
Result: Darren Young wins via pinfall after a Gut Check
Time: 2:15
Match Thoughts
An okay match. The commentary of Titus O’Neil was distracting, and the match itself could have been better. They never really got into a rhythm.
Backstage
Nia Jax confronts Alicia Fox and asks her how her friend Ann Esposito is. Alicia tells Jax to get out of her face (and freaks out in the process).
** I’ve missed Alicia’s tantrums. This is a good sign. Also, Nia Jax actually said something. Another good sign if they want her to be any kind of threatening presence in the division. **
Backstage
Tom Phillips asks Sin Cara about facing Braun Strowman. Sin Cara requested the match because he wants to teach Strowman a lesson about respecting lucha tradition after what he did to Americano last week.
Match 8
Braun Strowman vs Sin Cara
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Braun Strowman wins via countout
Time: 2:11
Match Thoughts
Wow, this was probably worse than the string of squashes Strowman has been having. Sin Cara put up a decent fight, but the countout ending doesn’t really do anyone any favors.
Ring Area
After the match, Strowman attacks Sin Cara at ringside and walks away.
** Strowman’s whole deal is that he’s a monster, but he didn’t really give Sin Cara the beating that you would expect a monster to give. I’m kind of happy about that for Sin Cara, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense for Strowman. Either way, this segment didn’t work very well for me. **
Ring Area
Sasha Banks heads to the ring. She talks about change and the current generation of women in WWE. She talks about fighting hard to become a part of the WWE and to enact change. She also says that she saw a doctor earlier today. She has some bad news.
Dana Brooke then interrupts and heads to the ring. Sasha quickly puts Dana in the Bank Statement and says that her bad news was actually for Charlotte. Sasha’s coming for the Women’s Title at Clash of Champions.
Match 9
Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens (Universal Champ)
(referee: Chad Patton)
#OwensvsZayn
Result: Kevin Owens wins via pinfall after a powerbomb
Time: 9:06 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Zayn’s ankle injury came back towards the end of this match and directly led to the finish. This was a solid match, and a good first showing for the new champ.
Ring Area
After the match, Roman Reigns heads to the ring. After Reigns enters the ring, Owens exits to the apron. Chris Jericho comes out, and he and Owens stand on opposite sides of Reigns. Foley comes out and decides to make a match between Owens and Reigns for next week. If Reigns wins, then he gets added to the title match at Clash of Champions. As Owens walks away, Jericho tries to attack Reigns from behind but gets a spear for his efforts.
Show Impressions
A pretty good show. There were lots of matches, but as is usually the case when that happens, it was more quantity over quality. There were certainly some good matches here, but most of them I’ll probably never watch again.
Match of the Night
Chris Jericho vs Seth Rollins
The main event was good too, but the injury led to a more abrupt ending. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in comparison I preferred the Jericho/Rollins match.