October 3, 2016
Episode 1219
(aired live)
City: Los Angeles, CA
Venue: Staples Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Intro Video
“Enemies” by Shinedown
Ring Area
Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring. He talks about representing his bloodline when Lana interrupts and heads to the ring. She has come out to negotiate with Reigns, but she starts by saying that Reigns has no respect for family. She tells him that Rusev will humiliate Reigns in front of everyone. Reigns makes a joke, so Lana tells him to “go to hell.”
That prompts Rusev to come out. Rusev and Reigns brawl. Rusev gets the upper-hand and kicks Reigns over the barricade and into the crowd. Rusev then takes the US Title belt and starts up the ramp with it. He pauses to celebrate on the stage, and that’s when Reigns comes from behind and Superman Punches him. Reigns gets on the mic and says that he’ll go to hell, but he’ll take Rusev with him. The rematch will be at Hell in a Cell.
Video
TJ Perkins sacrificed everything for his career. Kendrick sacrificed just as much or more though.
Match 1
TJ Perkins (Cruiserweight Champ) vs Brian Kendrick
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Brian Kendrick wins via submission with the Captain’s Hook
Time: 5:29 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Kendrick fought very dirty, blatantly using the ring to hurt TJP as much as he could. Perkins looked good as well, keeping the pace up. This was fun and did a good job of making me want to see even more from these two.
Backstage
Earlier today, Michael Cole interviewed Seth Rollins. Rollins was told not to come to RAW because of his injury, but he did it anyway. Rollins also thinks he deserves a Universal Title rematch, especially since Triple H literally handed him the title.
Ring Area
Chase Silver tells Byron Saxton that he had a dream about beating up Braun Strowman.
Match 2
Braun Strowman vs Chase Silver
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Braun Strowman wins via pinfall after a running powerslam
Time: 1:42
Match Thoughts
I get it. Strowman’s a big dude. Move on.
Ring Area
Byron Saxton asks Strowman “what’s next?” Strowman says he wants some “real competition” next week.
Backstage
Bayley is excited for Sasha being in the main event for the title tonight.
Ring Area
Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho head to the ring. Owens says that Rollins is stupid for requesting a rematch. He also says that if Rollins gets a rematch, then Jericho should be the referee. Jericho isn’t against the idea, but he thinks first they should challenge New Day for the tag titles. Owens thinks it’s a good idea, but it sounds like a lot of work.
New Day interrupts and comes out to the stage. Kofi questions the friendship of Owens and Jericho. Jericho puts him on the list. Big E says they need a champion huddle, but Jericho isn’t allowed. He makes the list. Woods laughs. He’s on the list. Owens tells New Day that they jumped the shark seven months ago, but Woods wonders when the last time Owens jumped over anything was.
** Great segment. Woods’ “jumping” insult (and his own reaction) was fantastic. **
Backstage
Earlier today, Cesaro and Sheamus arrive at the arena together, arguing.
** They’re tag partners, but that doesn’t mean they have to travel together. Still, there’s a lot of potential there. **
Ring Area
Ryan Pillippe is in the front row.
Match 3
Sami Zayn vs Titus O’Neil
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Sami Zayn wins via pinfall after a Helluva Kick
Time: 2:48
Match Thoughts
An okay match, but it was really short. Also, I understand that Sami’s thing is a lot about coming back from behind, but I’d like to see him have more offense in matches than he seems to have been getting lately.
Backstage
Sheamus and Cesaro continue to argue about being late to the arena. Mick Foley walks up and tells them to channel their animosity toward their opponents in the ring.
Backstage
Earlier tonight, Gallows and Anderson told Tom Phillips that New Day has ruined the tag division. Gallows and Anderson will put a stop to the fun and games.
Match 4
Golden Truth vs Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Luke Gallows pins R-Truth after a Magic Killer
Time: 3:23
Match Thoughts
An okay match, but there wasn’t a whole lot to it. Gallows and Anderson were fairly dominant throughout.
Backstage
Owens and Jericho run into Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson. Jericho starts to put them on the list, but Masterson takes it away. Jericho and Kutcher then argue about who has the better friendship.
Ring Area
Enzo Amore and Big Cass are in the ring with some breast cancer survivors. They give the ladies each a RAW Women’s Title belt.
Match 5
Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens (Universal Champ) vs New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E w/ Kofi Kingston) (RAW Tag Champs)
(referee: Darrick Moore; guest commentary: Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson)
Result: Big E pins Chris Jericho after the Midnight Hour
Time: 13:28 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I think the commentary from Kutcher and Masterson, while not terrible, was a little distracting. The match itself was good though. Not great, but good.
Backstage
Tom Phillips welcomes Dana Brooke and Charlotte. Charlotte says she is the only reason Sasha is in the main event (because Charlotte excels in the spotlight).
Video
Rich Swann likes to have fun.
Backstage
Stephanie McMahon asks Rollins what he’s doing getting involved in the ring. She then tells him that he’s all alone and he’s replaceable. Rollins comes back by saying that Triple H choosing Owens was the second worst decision he ever made. The first was marrying Stephanie.
Match 6
Rich Swann vs Tony Nese
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Tony Nese wins via pinfall after a pump handle into a Michinoku Driver
Time: 4:38
Match Thoughts
Really good match. Tony Nese looked especially good with quick striking combinations and great chains of moves.
Video
Honoring Mil Mascaras for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Video
A video promo for the “Makeover of Emma to Emmalina.” Coming soon.
Match 7
Sheamus & Cesaro vs Raul White & Mark Carradine
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Sheamus pins Mark Carradine after a Brogue Kick
Time: 1:54
Match Thoughts
A squash with arguing. Cesaro delivered a fun DDT off of Sheamus’ back though.
Ring Area
Oscar De La Hoya is in the front row.
Video
Detailing the history of Sasha and Charlotte.
Backstage
Charlotte makes fun of Bayley and rubs her main event in Bayley’s face. Dana Brooke gets in Bayley’s face, so Bayley takes her down. Looks like Dana won’t be at ringside for the main event.
Match 8
RAW Women’s Title Match
Sasha Banks vs Charlotte (RAW Women’s Champ)
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Sasha Banks wins via submission with the Bank Statement to become a two time RAW Women’s Champ
Time: 10:11 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. I think this deserved more time, but it was still very good. Despite a strong start from Sasha, Charlotte really dominated most of the match. Charlotte performed a corkscrew moonsault from the top rope to the floor which was probably the flashiest move of the match, but the best parts really came from the fierce competitiveness, especially from Charlotte.
Show Impressions
This was an entertaining show. The Jeri-KO/New Day stuff and the main event were easily the best parts of the night, but the cruiserweight matches were also good, and the only things I didn’t really care for were the Strowman segment and the opening segment with Reigns.
Match of the Night
Sasha Banks vs Charlotte
From memory, I think Sasha’s first RAW title win was better, but this was still a very good match. Both women put lots of emotion into their matches against each other, and that really comes through in the way they wrestle. It’s going to be hard to argue that this isn’t the feud of the year.