RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion - Feb 15th 2016

[Kemo]

– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens from Anaheim, California with the usual intro.

– We’re live as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by JBL and Byron Saxton. We go to the ring and out comes WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose.

Ambrose is hot and says he wants a F5 from Brock Lesnar tonight but Stephanie McMahon comes out instead. Fans boo. She taunts Ambrose and brings up the winner of Fastlane facing her husband Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 32. Ambrose says he knows how all this works, he just wants to get to the fighting part. Stephanie says he’s going to get a F5 tonight but not how he thinks… it will be a Fatal 5 Way match for the Intercontinental Title. She wishes him good luck and goes to leave but stops. She says if Roman Reigns interferes in the match, Ambrose will be disqualified from Fastlane. The match starts now.

Fatal 5 Way for the WWE Intercontinental Title: Kevin Owens vs. Stardust vs. Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose

Kevin Owens makes his way out first as Ambrose gets ready to fight. Stardust is out next followed by Tyler Breeze. Dolph Ziggler is the last man out.

Back from the break and we get the bell as everyone goes at it. Stardust and Breeze work on Ambrose in the corner while Owens and Ziggler are on the floor. Ambrose ends up tossing Breeze to the floor and clotheslining Stardust. Ambrose mounts him in the corner with right hands as fans count. Ambrose keeps control of Stardust and goes to the top as Breeze nails Owens on the floor. Ambrose with a missile dropkick on Stardust. Owens runs in and drops Ambrose as fans boo.

Owens works over Ambrose for a 2 count. Owens whips Ambrose hard into the corner and talks trash. Ambrose fights back with forearms into the corner. Ambrose stomps away in the corner now. Owens pulls Ambrose face first into the turnbuckle and turns it around. Owens stomps away and plays to the crowd. Owens runs into a big boot and gets sent to the floor. Ambrose goes to run the ropes for a dive but Ziggler slides in and dropkicks him for a 2 count. Ziggler goes on and hits a neckbreaker, then the elbow drop for a 2 count. Ambrose sends Ziggler to the floor. Stardust runs in and drops Ambrose. Breeze comes in and takes Stardust out. Breeze runs the ropes but Owens clotheslines him. Owens powerbombs Breeze over the top and onto Ziggler and Stardust. Owens turns around to Ambrose and they go at it. Ambrose counters a pop-up powerbomb. Ambrose dives out onto the other three. He comes back in and drops Owens with a neckbreaker. Ambrose goes to the top with the big elbow drop and a close 2 count as Stardust breaks the pin and pulls Ambrose out. Stardust sends Ambrose into the steel steps. Breeze takes Stardust out with a kick as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Ambrose nails the bulldog on Stardust. He goes to the top but Stardust meets him. Ambrose headbutts Stardust to the mat. Breeze runs up but also gets sent to the mat. Ziggler runs up next and brings Ambrose down face first. Ziggler gets sent into the ring post. Stardust with a Disaster Kick on Breeze. Owens takes out Stardust and covers Ambrose for a 2 count. Owens delivers corner cannonballs to everyone but Breeze as Breeze kicks him with a Beauty Shot for a 2 count. Fans chant “this is awesome” now. Ambrose dumps Breeze to the floor. Stardust gets hit with the big bounce back clothesline from Ambrose. Ziggler runs in with a Zig Zag. Owens with a pop-up powerbomb on Breeze for the win and the title.

Winner and New WWE Intercontinental Champion: Kevin Owens

[Kemo]

– After the match, Owens celebrates and retreats with his title as Ambrose looks on shocked.

– Still to come, Brie Bella will talk about her husband’s retirement and Fastlane. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we see what just happened in the Fatal 5 Way. Ambrose is backstage walking when Renee Young approaches. Ambrose isn’t shocked by The Authority but he’s mad and frustrated. He says the title is gone and he has to live with that. The Authority has given him motivation to win at Fastlane. He says it will be him against Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania. He walks off after asking Renee if that gives her goosebumps.

– We go to the announcers but cut back to Renee, who is now with new champion Kevin Owens. Owens says he told everyone this was his title and he will get it back. He wants Renee to tell everyone he was right. Dolph Ziggler walks up clapping. He congratulates Owens on a “job done” and they have a few words. Ziggler wants a title shot at Fastlane on Sunday. Ziggler says he deserves to be Owens’ first defense and wants Owens to admit he’s right. Owens just says “nah” and walks off.

[Kemo]

Big E vs. Mark Henry

We go to the ring and out come WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day. It’s announced that they will be on a special edition of The Cutting Edge and The Peep Show with Edge and Christian at Fastlane on Sunday. They all cut promos on Edge and Christian before moving on to Mark Henry. Big E calls him a “mark ass buster” for walking out on them last week. Henry comes out and we go to commercial.

Back from the break and they lock up. Henry with an early slam to take control. Henry beats Big E around and sends him to the floor for a breather after a big headbutt. The referee counts but Henry follows. Kofi Kingston distracts Henry and Big E attacks. Big E drops Henry after ramming him into the barrier. The New Day all stand over Henry and taunt him now. Big E brings it back in the ring and stomps on Henry in the corner.

Woods keeps the crowd going with Francesca 2 at ringside. Big E splashes Henry for a 2 count. Big E manages to apply an abdominal stretch but Henry quickly reverses with a big hip toss. Henry makes a comeback now. Henry with a 2 count. Woods gets on the apron and distracts with his trombone. Henry knocks him to the floor. Henry turns around and Big E runs into a big boot from Henry. Big E side steps in the corner. Big E scoops Henry on his shoulder and holds him but Henry falls to the mat and may have injured himself. Henry is clutching his ribs as Big E just covers for the pin.

Winner: Big E

– After the match, the referees speculate that the splashes may have injured Henry’s ribs. The New Day celebrates but Big E looks at Henry a bit concerned.

– Still to come, Brie Bella will speak. We go to commercial.

[Kemo]

Charlotte’s entrance music interrupted the interview, and then she and Ric Flair walked to the ring together. Charlotte said Bryan really was in a league of his own. Brie corrected her by saying that Bryan “is” in a league of his own. The fans cheered. Charlotte said it’s not like he died or something. Brie said Bryan is very much alive and looking forward to the next chapter of his life.

Charlotte said you never know what tomorrow will bring and you have to live each day like its your last. She said she would understand if Brie forfeited at Fastlane. Charlotte said most women would want to be at home with their husband. She said Daniel lost his childhood dream, but who is she to judge. Brie said that’s right and Bryan supports her one hundred percent. Charlotte said Brie now supports Bryan one hundred percent.

“Oh, that’s why you’re here, you and Daniel need the money,” Charlotte said. Brie recalled Charlotte talking about her sister two weeks ago and now doing the same about her husband. Charlotte said she made a sympathetic gesture. Charlotte said Brie needs to go home and help Nikki Bella with her physical therapy and open up a bed and breakfast with Bryan. Charlotte said she doesn’t need Brie, but her sister and husband do.

Brie said Charlotte came out to mess with her head because she is afraid. She said Charlotte knows that she needs that because Brie is not an “easy beat.” Brie said Charlotte added fuel to the fire and she is disgusted by the champion that Charlotte has become. Charlotte held the ropes open for her father, who went to ringside.

Charlotte got in Brie’s face and said she hopes she remembers this moment because she gave her a chance to walk away. She said she can only imagine what Brie’s goat-faced, vegan babies will become. Brie attacked her and threw a series of Bryan kicks at Charlotte, who then fled the ring…

The broadcast team set up a brief video package of the Wyatt Family taking out Kane and Ryback in past segments, then hyped Braun Strowman vs. Big Show for later in the show…

Chris Jericho made his entrance with his lite-brite jacket. Cole said Jericho would be joining them on commentary for the Styles vs. Miz match…

[Kemo]

AJ Styles vs. The Miz

Cole introduced Jericho as a legend, and Jericho joked around with JBL about being referred to as a legend. Actor Gerard Butler was shown in the front row.

Jericho spoke about giving Styles the Codebreaker after their tag match on Smackdown. He said he didn’t do it to disrespect him but rather to let him know he’s not the biggest fish in the WWE pond.

Miz attacked Styles before the bell. Jericho and JBL spoke about working in Japan. Jericho said all the titles you win in Japan mean nothing once you get to WWE. He said Styles is not a rookie, but he is a rookie to WWE. One of the broadcast team members asked if Jericho is embarrassed by losing to Styles in his debut match. Jericho asked if the announcer was embarrassed by walking around in a cheap suit. He said there’s no shame in losing to Styles, then said he has the advantage after winning the rematch. Miz went to ringside and jawed at Jericho, which led to Styles performing a flying forearm off the ring steps heading into the break.

Jericho said he isn’t cutting down Styles in terms of ability, but he said he doesn’t know whether he likes him. He said Styles has an ego and was boasting to people that he won their first match. Styles scored a couple near falls and went for the spinning back fist. Miz ducked it and Styles rolled him up again for two. Styles hit the Pele Kick for two.

Styles went up top, but Miz recovered and cut him off. Styles came back with a springboard forearm for another two count. Styles stood up and played to the crowd. Miz ducked a punch, and then Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a good near fall. Styles avoided a charging Miz and then rolled him into a Calf Crusher and got the submission win…

Winner: AJ Styles

After the match, Jericho stood up with a mic in hand and started to talk, but Styles interrupted him. Styles said Jericho got his win on Smackdown, but it’s eating him up that he was beaten by him in his first WWE match.

Styles challenged Jericho to a third match at the Fastlane pay-per-view. Jericho didn’t look wowed. He said that was a phenomenal idea and it sounds like the fans want to see the match again, but he’s not sure if he wants to wrestle him again. “I’ll think about it and I’ll let you know Thursday on Smackdown,” Jericho said. “I’ll see you, buddy,” Jericho said. JBL said it was a veteran move to play mind games.

Cole hyped The Dudley Boyz appearing after the break

[Kemo]

The Dudley Boyz headed to the ring for a promo and teased pulling tables out from underneath the ring. Once in the ring, Bubba chuckled over the fans thinking they were going to get the tables. Bubba called for The Uso Brothers to come out. Bubba said they were unable to appear, then set up a video package of he and D-Von turning on them last week.

D-Von said people thought they were going to ride off into the sunset. He said they are not a GNR tour (fighting words!), they are the baddest tag team on the planet. Bubba said the tables are gone forever. The fans booed. Bubba said fans could watch the best of them on WWE Network to see all of the great teams they have beaten. Bubba said they are nine time tag champions and that’s how their legacy will be defined, “not by a piece of furniture.”

The fans chanted “We Want Tables” and Bubba said those chants will fall on deaf ears. Bubba said he and D-Von don’t give a damn what the fans think. D-Von closed out the promo with a testify line…

A shot aired of Paige walking backstage as Cole hyped “Divas action” for after the break.

[Kemo]

Paige vs. Summer Rae

Cole said we are 48 days away from WrestleMania. Summer hit Paige with a spinning kick to take control. Paige came back and was standing and looking to the crowd while holding onto Summer’s legs. Summer reached up and rolled Paige into a pin and got the three count…

Winner: Summer Rae

The broadcast team hyped Fastlane on WWE Network and used their flashcards… Paul Heyman was shown walking backstage



Saxton hyped Brock Lesnar appearing on Smackdown for the first time in 12 years…

Paul Heyman stood in the ring and was introduced by Lilian Garcia. Heyman then introduced himself as the advocate for the next undisputed champion. Heyman said WWE Network will offer live coverage of a historic match. Heyman said one beast will emerge victorious and then main event WrestleMania against Triple H for the title.

Heyman called out Roman Reigns so he could look him in the eye and say what he had to say straight to his face. Reigns made his entrance through the crowd and entered the ring. Heyman looked up at the WrestleMania sign and then Reigns joined him in doing so.

Heyman shook Roman’s hand and said he wanted to thank him for coming out so he could say it to his face. Heyman explained that if Reigns wasn’t out there, people would say he was disrespecting him even though he has the utmost respect for him. Heyman said Reigns knows he feels that neither he nor Ambrose can get Lesnar either alone or together. Heyman said Reigns’ dream is to win on Sunday night, win the title, and then go home to his wife and daughter with the title.

Heyman said Lesnar stands in his way. Heyman said Reigns has a huge challenge because Ambrose stands in his way as well. Heyman said Reigns has a choice to make – “your daughter or your best friend because you can’t have them both.” Heyman said Roman can’t keep his promise to his daughter and maintain his friendship with Ambrose.

Heyman said there are people in the business who choose friendship over family “and those are the ones who end up in divorce court.” He said there are others who choose family over friendship and those are the ones who sit alone in the locker room and potentially stand alone in the center of the ring as the champion at WrestleMania.

Heyman said that is the sacrifice that Reigns must make, and that’s the life they live for the championship that Reigns wants. Heyman said the enemy of thy enemy is not your friend. Heyman said Lesnar is the enemy on Sunday night, and so is Dean Ambrose. Reigns smiled and nodded his head.

“Your good,” Reigns said before there were some boos from the crowd. Roman shook Heyman’s hand and thanked him. He said nobody says what they are thinking to another man’s face. Reigns said he made a choice a long time ago. He said Ambrose did the same and that’s why they don’t have problems with this. Reigns said he beat him and it was one of the hardest things he’s ever done in his life. Reigns said he’s never beaten Lesnar, “but I have beaten his ass.” The fans cheered.

Reigns said he has everything on the line on Sunday. “I’m gonna win somehow at Fastlane and then I’m going to WrestleMania and I’m gonna beat Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship,” he said. “And now I know that you believe that.” Reigns shook Heyman’s hand and they spoke off-mic briefly. Heyman left the ring as Roman’s music played.

Suddenly, the Dudley Boyz hit the ring and attacked Reigns from behind. Cole questioned what this was all about. Reigns fought back briefly, but Bubba caught him with a big boot to the head. “You know who we are, Roman?” Bubba asked. “Feel this.” Dean Ambrose’s music played and he ran out for the save. Ambrose was nearly outnumbered, but Roman recovered and hit a Superman Punch on D-Von.

Reigns and Ambrose stood together in the ring while the Dudleys backed away. Cole pointed out the history of Heyman and the Dudley Boyz. Roman shook Ambrose’s hand. Suddenly, Ambrose pulled him in and teased Dirty Deeds, but he didn’t hit the move. Reigns looked shocked. Ambrose pointed to the WrestleMania sign and spoke to Reigns off-mic, saying that if he wants to make it to WrestleMania then he better be quicker than that. Reigns smiled and they bumped fists, which drew some boos. Saxton called it a warning shot.



Cole hyped the “Vincent J McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award” for next week. Cole said that officials say it is the most prestigious award that WWE will ever present, and no one has deserved the award until now. Cole said the award would be presented next week. Cole then shifted the focus to The Wyatt Family going after Big Show next week, then hyped Show vs. Strowman for later in the show.

[Kemo]

Heath Slater (w/Adam Rose, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas) vs. Zack Ryder

A Social Outcasts pre-tape aired about how they are the real all-stars.
Heath Slater is out with fellow Social Outcasts Adam Rose, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. Slater stalls early and runs a victory lap with the rest of his crew. He comes back in and Ryder takes control.

Ryder keeps control and hits knees to the face, then a missile dropkick. Ryder drops Slater in the corner and hits the Broski Boot for a 2 count. Slater rolls to the floor for a breather but Ryder leaps out and takes down the Social Outcasts. Ryder brings Slater back in the ring but Bo jumps on the apron and distracts him. Slater nails a heel kick and a Smash Hit for the win.

Winner: Heath Slater

A promo aired with R-Truth on a date at a restaurant “earlier tonight” with an unnamed woman. The woman praised him for being romantic. Goldust showed up as the waiter. Truth told him it’s not a Table For 3 episode. Goldust pulled out a bottle of champagne. Truth wasn’t pleased, but Goldust insisted that he worked at the restaurant and said the champagne was compliments of the house. Truth asked if it was In Your House. Goldust said it’s not 1997. Goldust ended up spraying the champagne on Truth’s date..


A Kevin Owens spotlight video aired as part of WWE advertising for Geico… Cole hyped Owens vs. Ziggler for the IC Title at Fastlane. JBL pointed out that Owens rejected the match. Cole said WWE officials approved it… Cole hyped Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio for the U.S. Title on the Fastlane Kickoff Show…

[Kemo]

The Lucha Dragons and Neville vs. The League of Nations

We come back and Neville is out after Sin Cara and WWE United States Champion Kalisto. Rusev, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio are out next with King Barrett. Back and forth to start. We go back to commercial after The Lucha Dragons and Neville dive out onto their opponents.

Back from the break and Rusev plants Kalisto for a 2 count. Rusev tosses Kalisto to the floor and Del Rio throws him into the barrier. Rusev brings it back in and tags in Sheamus. The League keeps control after more cheap shots. Kalisto finally counters a move and Cara tags in as does Del Rio. Cara kicks Del Rio and comes off the top.Cara knocks one off the apron as well. Cara continues to unload on Del Rio and hits the moonsault for a 2 count.

Sheamus runs in and flattens Cara. Neville takes out Sheamus. Rusev drops Neville with a kick. Kalisto tumbles with Rusev over the top. Cara dumps Del Rio to the floor and dives out, sending him into the barrier. Cara brings it back in the ring. Barrett distracts Cara. Del Rio hits the enziguri and a big top rope stomp from halfway across the ring. Del Rio covers for the win.

Winners: Sheamus, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio

– After the match, The League of Nations celebrate as we go to replays.

– We go to a Black History Month video on Booker T.

Cole set up footage of Naomi and Tamina confronting Becky Lynch as she arrived. Becky said they could save it for later. Tamina nailed her with a big boot. Naomi said she would see her in the ring later. They did the hideous “unity” line… Cole hyped Lynch vs. Naomi for after the break.

[Kemo]

Michelle Beadle was shown sitting in the front row.

Backstage, Alberto Del Rio said he let Kalisto win, and now he wants him in a best of three falls match so he can squash him not once but twice.

Naomi (w/Tamina) vs. Becky Lynch

Both women went for pins, and when Naomi kicked out Lynch applied the Disarmer for the submission win. Afterward, Tamina attacked Lynch and Sasha joined her. Sasha Banks came out to ringside. Tamina actually performed a Samoan drop on Becky rather than just be frozen because someone made their entrance. Sasha entered the ring and the heels fled…

Winner: Becky Lynch

The broadcast team hyped the Sasha and Becky vs. Naomi and Tamina match for Fastlane, then set up footage of the Wyatt Family attacking Ryback on Raw last week. Cole hyped the Show vs. Strowman main event