WWE RAW Coverage & Discussion Thread - July 17th, 2017

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Reigns battles Joe for the right to challenge The Beast at SummerSlam

Roman Reigns will clash with Samoa Joe live on Raw, with the winner going on to challenge Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Can The Big Dog earn his first singles victory over The Samoan Submission Machine and Superman Punch his ticket to a title opportunity at The Biggest Party of the Summer? Also on Raw, General Manager Kurt Angle comes clean about a career-threatening predicament.


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– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a video for the bit reveal from Kurt Angle.

– We’re live from Nashville with Corey Graves, Michael Cole and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. They hype tonight’s show.

– We go right to the ring and out comes Dean Ambrose as JoJo makes the introduction. Ambrose comes to the ring with a steel chair.

They show what happened last week with Ambrose, Seth Rollins and The Miztourage. Ambrose is looking for a fight. He challenges WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz to come out and bring his buddies. Ambrose keeps waiting but the music hits and out comes Seth Rollins instead. Rollins asks why is Ambrose picking a fight he can’t win on his own. Ambrose told him to stay out of his business last week but at the end of the night it looked like Ambrose was fighting Rollins’ battles. Rollins appreciates Ambrose’s toughness but he believes Dean needs to calm down and come up with a better plan. They go on and Ambrose brings up what happened with The Shield. Rollins finally apologizes. He lives with what happened every single day but he’s moved on. Rollins turns his back and dares Ambrose to hit him with the steel chair.

Ambrose looks to be considering the chair shot but he tosses the chair out of the ring instead. The music hits and out comes The Miz with Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas. Miz says this is touching, like a country song, but it’s not going to work. Miz keeps talking as they surround the ring now. They all have chairs now too. Bo gets on the apron first. Ambrose knocks Miz off the apron and takes him to the floor while Axel and Dallas unload on Rollins. Miz drops Ambrose and sends him into the steep steps. Rollins is triple teamed now.

Axel and Bo hold Rollins while Miz drops him face first into a steel chair with a Skull Crushing Finale. Fans boo as The Miztourage stands tall in the middle of the ring. They leave but stop to smack Ambrose with a chair on the way out. Ambrose, Axel and Dallas stand tall with steel chairs as Miz’s music hits.

– Still to come, Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe with a SummerSlam title shot on the line. Also, Kurt Angle makes his big announcement and Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and The Miztourage is walking with Maryse backstage. Charly Caruso approaches for comments but Miz shuts her down. They have said everything they’re going to say tonight.

Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

We go to the ring and our first comes Bayley. RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss is out next for this non-title match.

The bell rings and Bliss slaps Bayley hard. Bayley drives Bliss back into the corner and unloads with kicks. Bliss turns it around with kicks of her own. Bayley comes right back and takes Bliss down with more strikes. The music interrupts and out comes Nia Jax as Bliss rolls to safety under the bottom rope. Jax marches to the ring as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Bliss has control as Nia looks on. Bayley fights back but Bliss drops her for a 2 count. Bliss continues to focus on Bayley’s arm and shoulder now. Bayley sends Bliss down face first. Bayley looks to make her comeback now.

Fans chant for Bayley as he hits right forearms. Bliss takes her to the corner but it backfires. Bayley with more offense and an elbow. Bliss blocks a slam and nails the arm. More back and forth now. Bayley with a flying elbow. Bayley with a back suplex and a top rope elbow but Bliss rolls to the floor. Nia gets in the way and stops Bayley from hitting Bliss. Bliss nails a cheap shot and drops Bayley. Bliss brings it back into the ring. Sasha Banks runs to ringside and attacks Nia, dropkicking her into the apron as Bliss looks on.

Bayley takes advantage and rolls Bliss up for a 2 count. Bayley nails a Bayley-to-Belly for the win.

Winner: Bayley

– After the match, Sasha hits the ring and stands tall with Bayley as we go to replays.

– Still to come, The Hardys vs. The Revival.

– We go to the announcers but Corey Graves has to leave and go to the back. Cole leads us to a look back at the ESPN ESPY Awards last week, with appearances by John Cena and others. We also see Stephanie McMahon being honored by ESPN the night before with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Cole leads us to a hype video on Roman Reigns.

– A nervous Kurt Angle is backstage with Corey Graves. Angle is having second thoughts about coming clean and going public tonight. Graves reminds Angle that we live in the age of social media and this will get out. Angle says Graves is right, we should hear this from Angle himself. Angle thanks Graves and says his friendship means so much to Angle and this mystery person.

– We get a look back at recent happenings between Akira Tozawa and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville. Tozawa is backstage with Titus Worldwide partners Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews. Titus gives them a pep talk when Ariya Daivari walks in. He asks where Tozawa’s honor has gone. Ariya wants a rematch with Tozawa from last week so he can finish what he started before Neville interrupted. He walks off.

Brian Kendrick and Drew Gulak vs. Jack Gallagher and Mustafa Ali

We go to the ring and out first comes Brian Kendrick. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Jack Gallagher. Drew Gulak is also out with Kendrick as Mustafa Ali is out with Gallagher. We see highlights from the recent Kendrick vs. Gallagher feud on WWE 205 Live. Kendrick looks to start with Gallagher but he tags in Gulak instead. Gallagher takes control of Gulak early on. Gulak gets a break and drops Ali from the apron. Gallagher fights back but Gulak sweeps him and turns it around.

Gulak keeps control until Gallagher sends him flying across the ring. Kendrick comes right in and goes to work on Gallagher. Gallagher nails a big headbutt and tags in Ali. Ali comes right in and hits the inverted 450 on Kendrick for the win.

Winners: Mustafa Ali and Jack Gallagher

– After the match, Ali and Gallagher stand tall as their opponents recover on the floor.

– Enzo Amore is backstage walking. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and Enzo Amore is out with a mic.

Enzo gives himself props for his mic work and mentions how Big Cass has been tossing him out of the ring onto their opponents for years but Cass being 7 foot tall hasn’t won them any titles. He goes on and says Cass said last week that he tossed Enzo out of his life at Great Balls of Fire but not according to Enzo, he’s still in Cass’ life. He shows us a replay of the segment with Cass and Big Show last week. Enzo says Cass bounced a check and he sucks. Cass had one foot and 100 pounds on Enzo but Enzo brought the fight to him at Great Balls of Fire. Enzo says Cass was in the ring with someone his own size last week but he couldn’t even look Show in the eyes. Enzo says Cass folded like a lawn chair when the going got tough.

Enzo goes on but the music interrupts and out comes Big Cass to his new theme.

Cass says Enzo is always running his mouth and didn’t learn his lesson at Great Balls of Fire. Cass is gointg to beat some sense into Enzo and hopefully he will finally learn to shut his mouth. Cass marches to the ring as Enzo waits. Enzo leaves the ring as Cass enters. Enzo goes over the barrier now. He finds a fan with an Enzo wig on and brings him over to watch what’s about to happen to Cass. The music hits and out comes Big Show. Enzo taunts Cass as Show makes his way to the ring.

Cass stares Big Show down as he heads to the ring. Cass nails a big boot as Show is on the apron. Show with a headbutt. Show pulls Cass out of the ring and sends him into the barrier. Show launches Cass into the barrier again. Show with more offense and another toss into the barrier. Cass fights back and drives Show into the barrier. Cass with big right hands to stun Show against the barrier. Show fights back and launches Cass into the ring apron. Show scoop slams Cass on the floor as Enzo looks on. Show brings Cass into the ring and delivers a big chop while he’s on his back. Show climbs in but Cass shoves him back into the ring post. Cass with another shot into the ring post. Cass pushes Show into the ring and kicks him. Cass mounts Show with strikes now. Cass keeps control and in comes Enzo but Cass floors him with a boot. Cass stands tall as fans boo. Cass marches to the back as Show slowly gets to his feet. Show looks on as Cass stops to turn around and stare back at him.

– Roman Reigns is backstage warming up when Charly Caruso approaches him for comments. Reigns says the stakes are high tonight but that’s when he does his best. Reigns says he will beat Samoa Joe tonight and go on to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, which means he will be the next Universal Champion.

– Still to come, Kurt Angle’s announcement. Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson is next. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Seth Rollins is with Dean Ambrose backstage. They’re arguing about what happened earlier with The Miztourage. Kurt Angle comes in and says next week they can have any 2 members of the group. Ambrose says they’re taking on all 3 and Rollins agrees. Angle makes the handicap match for next week.

Elias Samson vs. Finn Balor

We go to the ring and JoJo introduces Elias Samson. He talks about his history with Nashville but fans chant for Finn Balor. Samson wants him too but it’ll have to wait. Samson goes on but Balor’s music hits and out he comes.

The bell rings and Balor strikes first but Samson quickly turns it around and tosses him across the ring. Samson dominates Balor for a few minutes until Balor makes a comeback.

Balor unloads and makes the comeback, taking it to the floor. He looks to put Samson away but Samson grabs the guitar and smashes it over Balor’s head for the disqualification.

Winner by DQ: Finn Balor

– After the match, Samson leaves as we go to replays and trainers check on Balor on the floor. Bray Wyatt appears on the big screen and laughs at Balor. Wyatt says he needs to satisfy his soul, he needs to inflict pain on Balor. He feels the need to punish Balor and will enjoy every second of it.

– Still to come, Reigns vs. Joe. Back to commercial.

– Kurt Angle is backstage preparing for his announcement when Sasha and Bayley walk in. They’re arguing over who deserves a title shot. Angle makes Bayley vs. Banks for next week with the winner going on to face Alexa Bliss at SummmerSlam.

– The announcers hype WWE Battleground and the WWE Network.

– We see footage of The Revival attacking The Hardys last week. Charly is backstage with Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. They talk about attacking The Hardys because they’re The Hardys last week and say they’re going to do it again this week.

Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari

We go to the ring and out comes Akira Tozawa with Titus O’Neil. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Ariya Daivari. Cole shows us a photo of Hassan Yazdani, the Iranian wrestler that Daivari was talking about looking up to earlier. Tozawa looks to take control early on but he sells a shoulder injury as Daivari takes over and goes to work. Daivari keeps Tozawa grounded and works on the shoulder as Titus tries to rally for Tozawa.

Tozawa tries to fight back again but Daivari drops him for a 2 count and focuses on the shoulder. Daivari screams at Tozawa and smacks him while he’s down. Tozawa comes back with kicks but misses one. Tozawa drops Daivari with a big suplex.

Titus gets the “ah!” chant going. Tozawa goes to the top but has to roll through. Daivari takes advantage and drops Tozawa on the shoulder for another 2 count. Daivari with a running knee to the back of the head in the corner for another 2 count. Daivari stomps away as Titus gets on the apron now. The referee stops the match and announces Daivari as the winner. It looks like Titus called for the referee to end the match.

Winner: Ariya Daivari

– After the match, Tozawa looks shocked. Daivari dedicates the win to Hassan Yazdani. Tozawa argues with the referee and isn’t happy about Titus causing the finish. Titus and Tozawa argue while walking to the back.

– Back from the break and out comes RAW General Manager Kurt Angle to a pop as the “you suck!” chants start up.

Angle apologizes to WWE for being such a distraction over the past few months. He says he recently found out that an action from his past had a serious consequence as it changed his life. Angle was afraid of change because he thought it would hurt his family but he’s happy to say his family 100% supports him in this. WWE is also supportive of this announcement as his employer.

Angle says while he was in college he dated a young lady. They dated for a while but stopped. He recently found out that the woman gave birth to a baby boy 9 months after their last date. Angle was unaware of the pregnancy and the birth. The baby boy was put up for a closed adoption and taken in by 2 loving parents that taught him American values. Angle brags about how good the kid was at sports in high school. He pursued a wrestling career in college and went on to become a WWE Superstar. Angle is now happy that he did that. Angle says we’re about to settle this in the ring on RAW. He welcomes the newest member of RAW, his son… Jason Jordan. Angle starts crying as the American Alpha music hits and out comes Jordan.

Jordan hits the ring and shares a hug with his “dad” in the middle of the ring. Angle raises his arms and gets the crowd to give it up for him. They hug and share the moment and that’s it for the segment.

– Still to come, Joe vs. Reigns. Also, The Hardys vs. The Revival.

– Back from the break and we see what just happened with Angle and Jordan.

The Revival vs. The Hardys

We go to the ring and out comes Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy are out next.

The Hardys attack first but the two teams are separated. The referee calls for the bell and here we go. Matt starts off with Dawson and takes control, taking it to the corner.

Jeff tags in and keeps up the attack on Dawson. Matt comes back in for some double teaming in their corner. Matt takes Dawson down as we see Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson backstage watching. Matt ends up taking Dawson to the corner for shots into the turnbuckles as fans do the “delete!” chants. Dawson is stunned in the corner now. Matt with a clothesline and a bulldog for a 2 count.

The Hardys with another double team on Dawson as Jeff comes in for a 2 count. Wilder runs in but they take him down. Wilder takes a big double team move and gets knocked to the floor. Matt and Jeff stand tall as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and The Revival remains in control. They take turns on Matt.

Jeff finally gets the hot tag. Lots of back and forth. Jeff gets a close 2 count but Dash breaks it up. Matt comes in and sends Dash out of the ring. Jeff with a Whisper In the Wind on Dawson. Jeff goes to the top for a Swanton Bomb but Dash pushes him off to the mat while the referee isn’t looking. Dawson takes advantage and covers for the pin and the win.

Winners: The Revival

– After the match, Dash and Dawson head to the ramp to celebrate the win. We go to replays as The Hardys recover.

– Charly is backstage with Samoa Joe for comments on tonight’s main event. Joe says he showed the world last month that he does not fear Brock Lesnar, then came within inches of beating him at Great Balls of Fire. He gives Roman Reigns props but says Reigns will learn that Joe is more than an obstacle, he’s a force of nature that will blow through Reigns on his way to The Beast. Joe guarantees that the third time against Reigns will be a charm tonight. Joe walks off.

– Cole leads us to a video on WWE’s relationship with the Special Olympics, featuring a powerlifter named Norris Peterson talking to Dana Warrior. Norris is sitting in the front row for RAW tonight as well. He gets a big ovation from the crowd. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Titus O’Neil is with Tozawa backstage. Titus apologizes for getting the match called earlier but he was thinking of Tozawa’s future. Tozawa wants Titus to get him a match with Daivari for this week’s WWE 205 Live.

– Samson vs. Balor in a No DQ match is announced for next week.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

We go to the ring and out first comes Roman Reigns. The winner of this match will go on to face WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Samoa Joe is out next.

The bell rings and they lock up. Reigns with a headlock. Joe with an early slap but Reigns comes right back and floors him. Reigns rocks Joe back off the apron and sends him to the floor. Joe regroups on the floor while Reigns stands tall in the ring. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Joe has turned it around. Joe works Reigns over and keeps him grounded. Joe with a suplex for a 2 count. Joe keeps Reigns grounded but Reigns finally fights out and hits a clothesline for a 2 count.

Reigns with big shots in the corner now. Reigns drops Joe with a big boot. Reigns readies for a Superman punch as some fans boo. Joe rolls to the floor for a breather. Reigns follows for a Drive By but Joe meets him with a big clothesline. Reigns comes right back with a clothesline on the floor. We go to commercial with both men down.

Back from the break and Joe rocks Reigns with headbutts. Reigns fights back and ends up hitting a Samoan Drop. Joe turns it back around but Reigns blocks a Uranage. Reigns comes right back with a Superman punch for a close 2 count.

Both Superstars are trying to get to their feet when the music hits and out comes Braun Strowman to a pop.

Braun marches to the ring and drags Joe off the apron. Braun stands over Joe and turns his attention to Reigns, who is in the ring. Braun enters the ring but Reigns meets him with a big right hand, knocking him off the apron. Reigns with a boot to the face. Reigns rocks Braun at ringside but Braun sends him into the barrier. Braun tosses Reigns over the top into the ring now.

Joe is back on his feet now. Joe stares Braun down. They start brawling with each other at ringside. Braun floors Joe. Braun climbs back into the ring now but Reigns meets him. Braun with a running splash in the corner. Braun beats Reigns down in the corner now. Braun runs into a big boot. Reigns rocks Braun into Joe, who locks Braun with a Coquina Clutch. Reigns charges but Braun boots him. Braun has Joe on his back now. Reigns drops Braun with a Superman punch, which also breaks the Clutch. Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Reigns gets up and goes for a Superman punch but Braun catches him in mid-air with a big spinebuster.

Braun goes to work on Joe again, slamming him in the middle of the ring with a powerslam. Braun scoops Reigns for a powerslam next. Braun stands tall and looks down at Joe and Reigns before leaving. He stops and turns back around. Braun grabs Reigns as security approaches the ring. Braun scares them off each time they try to come in through the apron. Braun scoops Reigns for another powerslam and nails it. Braun leaves and marches straight to the back as his music plays while Reigns and Joe are laid out in the ring. Joe starts to recover as we go to a replay. Referees are checking on Joe and Reigns. We see Renee Young setting up backstage for a WWE Network interview with Angle and Jordan. RAW goes off the air.