RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion - 20th Jul, 2015
We start off tonight’s show with a look back at the main event of Battleground when Brock Lesnar was about to become the new WWE Champion only to have his opponent disappear from the state of Missouri and be replaced by The Undertaker.
The lights go out and a gong sounds. The Undertaker has returned to Raw for a rare appearance on Raw.
Undertaker growls for a moment and he says that he stands here tonight, a relentless, remorseless, cold blooded vengeful grim reaper. Streaks are made to be broken. That is the painful truth. Lesnar, you had to continuously, week after week. Month after month, remind everyone of your greatest accomplishment. Now I say enough is enough.
You have taken what was once smoldering ashes and turned it into a raging inferno. Last night was my true resurrection. You can’t kill what won’t die. Unleashed forces will not set our careers towards new destinies. And I will challenge your mortality. I will conquer what has yet to be conquered. In the end, just like all living things, be it man or beast, you will rest in peace.
Undertaker walks to the back.
Backstage:
Triple H and Stephanie watch in the office and Hunter is excited about the idea of Brock Lesnar and Undertaker at SummerSlam. Stephanie says that she is going to get the promotional ball rolling. Hunter says that he is going to call Heyman and tell him and Lesnar not to show up tonight. They got what they wanted last night so they don’t have to show up tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Naomi, Sasha Banks, and Tamina Snuka join the announce team.
We see footage of Charlotte with her father, Ric Flair after Battleground.
Charlotte (with Paige and Becky Lynch) vs Brie Bella (with Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox)
They lock up and Brie with a side head lock and Brie holds on to the side head lock when Charlotte tries for an Irish whip. Charlotte tries to get out of the hold but Brie with a side head lock take down. Charlotte with a rollup for a near fall. Brie with a shoulder tackle and Charlotte kips up.
Brie pie faces Charlotte but Charlotte with a shoulder tackle and Brie goes to the floor. Charlotte misses a slingshot plancha.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Brie with an arm bar. Charlotte tries for a slam but Brie escapes and she kicks Charlotte in the back of the leg. Brie with kicks to the chest followed by a drop kick to the temple for a near fall. We see footage from the commercial break when Brie connected with a running knee against the ropes. Brie with a cravate.
Charlotte with a rollup for a near fall. Brie with a drop kick followed by a rear chin lock. Charlotte backs Brie into the turnbuckles but Brie kicks Charlotte and hits a missile drop kick and gets a near fall. Brie has a kick blocked by Charlotte and then she spins Brie around and chops Brie.
Brie with a neck breaker and running boot to the head. Charlotte gets a near fall. Charlotte sets for the figure four leg lock but Nikki gets on the apron and she kicks Nikki off the apron. Charlotte with a spear to Brie and she applies the figure four leg lock and she bridges so Brie has to tap out.
Winner: Charlotte
After the match:
We see Charlotte celebrate in the ring with her assigned friends by Stephanie, Paige and Becky Lynch.
Backstage:
We see Hunter in his office and he is telling Paul Heyman that Undertaker will be facing Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
Miz interrupts Hunter but Hunter does not care and he tells Paul that Brock is not allowed in the building tonight.
Miz asks Hunter if he saw what Big Show did to him. He knocked Miz out unprovoked.
Hunter wants someone to come to his office and he tells Miz that he will face The Big Show tonight. Miz says that is not what he wanted but Hunter tells him it is what he is getting.
We go to commercial.
Non Title Match
Fernando and Diego (with El Torito) vs Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Young and Diego start things off and Young with a side head lock into a hip lock and wrist lock. Diego with a kick but Young with an elbow and a seated splash followed by a chop. Diego with an Irish whip but Young sends Diego the apron. Diego with a shoulder and he flips into the ring and Young with a rolling elbow. Young is sent into the ropes and Diego with a splash as he tags Fernando. Fernando gets a near fall. Diego tags back in and Fernando with a punch and Diego with a knee lift and springboard senton.
Diego gets a near fall. Diego kicks Young and he tags in Fernando. They hit a side Russian leg sweep on Young and Fernando gets a near fall. Fernando sends Young into the corner and chops him. Young with an Irish whip and overhead belly-to-belly throw and both men are down. Titus tags in and he hits a shoulder tackle and clothesline. Diego comes off the turnbuckles and Young throws him away. He catches Fernando and hits a back breaker and throws him aside.
Titus with the bark before he hits a splash on Fernando followed by a pounce. Titus sends Diego to the apron and Young with a back drop driver to Diego on the apron.
The New Day come out in track suits and Woods says they are not here to hate. They are here to congratulate.
While this happens, Titus is given a Lungblower and Fernando gets the three count.
Winners: Fernando and Diego
We are reminded of the main event featuring Randy Orton, Cesaro, and John Cena against Kevin Owens, Sheamus, and Rusev.
We go to commercial.
Miz vs Big Show
The bell rings and Miz goes to the floor but Show brings him back into the ring. Show with a biel that sends Miz across the ring and Miz goes to the floor. Show goes after Miz and Miz returns to the ring and he kicks Show. Show with a shoulder tackle to Miz. Show with a chop. Show with a knee to the head followed by a slam.
Show with another slam to Miz and then Show goes to the turnbuckles and hits an elbow drop for the three count.
Winner: Big Show
After the match:
Big Show wants to know what Miz was saying last night. He asks Miz if he is missing now. He says the only thing that is missing is Ryback with his Intercontinental Championship. Show says he will feed his fist to Ryback. He does not care where it is because he will take the title. Show says he is going to show up on Tough Enough and challenges Ryback to show up. Show says he is going to see if those wannabes are tough enough to stand up to his fist.
Backstage:
Triple H and Stephanie are looking for some art work for SummerSlam.
Hunter sees Paul Heyman and he goes to him with Stephanie. Paul says that his client is not here tonight. Paul says he is an advocate and he is here to present Brock’s retort and he is out of here.
Stephanie says she cannot trust Paul as far as she can throw him. Hunter says she couldn’t throw him too far. They say that they need more security and then they suggest getting half the locker room. Hunter channels his inner Jack Bauer and lets out a Damnit.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Stephanie McMahon and Triple H try to do what Paige could not do with the Divas Division. Stephanie says we need to protect the main event of SummerSlam when Brock Lesnar faces The Undertaker. Hunter says they are not going to let those two destroy each other because SummerSlam depends on it. They depend on it, so your livelihood depends on it. Hunter says he understands that they are trying to get them to stand between the Beast and the Undertaker. They are not asking, they are telling.
Paul Heyman is in the ring and he has something to say to The Undertaker.
Paul says that his client should be the WWE Heavyweight Champion right now. Paul asks why isn’t Brock Lesnar the WWE Champion? Is it because Seth Rollins outwrestled Brock Lesnar? No. Is it because Seth Rollins outfought Brock Lesnar? No. Is it because Seth Rollins could survive his trip to Suplex City? No. Is it because Seth Rollins beat, pinned, or tapped out Brock Lesnar? Is it because Seth kicked out of an F-5? No.
His client is not the champion because of the demonic resurrection of the Undertaker. For those of you who subscribe to the WWE Network, last night you witnessed history. For the first time since April 6, 2014, Brock Lesnar went face to face with the Undertaker. Why is that date so significant? On that night, his client, Brock Lesnar conquered the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania.
Paul says it bothers you, but not as much as it pisses off the Undertaker. Think about how long the Undertaker waited to exact his revenge on Brock Lesnar. 469 days since Wrestlemania 30. Paul brags about that fact because it is the greatest accomplishment of his client. Why wouldn’t he brag about it. You think about every single man who tried to conquer that streak. A Listers like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Edge, and Batista. They all failed.
Paul reminds us that his client Brock Lesnar succeeded. What happens now? The Undertaker comes back for revenge. A violent retribution must accompany an avenger. A man larger than death decided to attack Brock Lesnar because Brock took the Undertaker’s biggest claim to fame. Undertaker took what is most important to his client, the right to be the WWE Champion.
At SummerSlam, the Pheonom . . . The Badass . . . The Undertaker against the Beast . . . The Conqueror . . . Brock Lesnar.
Since the Undertaker wants to make this personal, allow him. Paul says his client conquered YOUR UNDEFEATED STREAK at Wrestlemania. His client conquered YOUR UNDEFEATED STREAK at Wrestlemania. You sold your soul to the devil for revenge. You can sell your soul to the devil, but your ass belongs to Brock Lesnar.
The lights go out and the gong sounds.
The Undertaker appears in the ring and Paul begs for mercy in the corner.
Brock Lesnar’s music plays and the announcers leave as Brock makes his way to the ring. Brock takes Taker down and punches him.
Hunter comes to the stage and he waves security to the ring. That works about as well as every other security separates two guys much bigger than the members of security.
After that fails and Taker goes after Brock, some of the wrestlers make their way to the ring to separate Brock and Taker. Half the roster holds Brock in one corner while the other half holds Taker in the other. Brock escapes and goes to the floor and he goes after Taker. They are separated.
Brock breaks free and he goes after Taker.
Now it is Taker’s turn to go after Brock and they fight on the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Brock is walking out of the arena while wrestlers are trying to talk sense to him. Undertaker ruins this moment of peace and he goes after Brock. Brock is held back and then he attacks a table before going after Undertaker again.
Kansas City’s finest and other wrestlers have Brock against the wall and he is taken away with zip ties around his hands. Brock tells them not to touch him.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a moments ago moment of the moment when Brock Lesnar made his charge to the ring to go after Undertaker and the ensuing mayhem that resulted.
Backstage:
Stephanie wants to know if Brock was arrested and Hunter says he is not pressing charges. He wants Brock to cool off.
Seth says that was great and he says he would have had a lot to talk to Brock and Undertaker about. Seth says he would like to go out and address the WWE Universe and Hunter and Stephanie say it is okay.
We take a look at step one of the reunion of the Wyatt Family.
Backstage:
We go to Bray Wyatt and he says that he is never alone. His family stands by his side because they know that he is more than just a man. He is more than just flesh and blood. He is an enigma. He is the revolution that sees what he truly is. You chose him. You anointed him. Now you are all burning for it.
Harper says this is the beginning. It will never stop. Brick by brick and piece by piece until is it all gone.
Bray says they fix the mistake tonight. Anyone but you Roman . . . anyone but you.
We go to commercial.
Before our next match, Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring to be in Roman Reigns’ corner to neutralize Bray Wyatt’s presence.
Luke Harper (with Bray Wyatt) vs Roman Reigns
They lock up and they go around the ring and Reigns with a clean break. They lock up and go around the ring and Harper gets away from Reigns in the corner. Harper with a kick and European uppercut. Reigns with an uppercut and punches. Reigns with more punches and he climbs the turnbuckles and punches Harper. Harper fights Reigns off but Reigns completes the ten punches and hits a short arm clothesline.
Reigns kicks Harper in the corner and punches him. Harper with a shot to the throat and then Harper with an Irish whip but Reigns with a clothesline and Harper goes to the floor. Harper returns to the ring and they lock up again. Harper backs Reigns into the corner and he connects with uppercuts.
Harper with uppercuts to the arm but Reigns with forearms to Harper followed by a punch. Reigns with an Irish whip but he does not use his injured left arm. Harper with a punch and he looks at Ambrose before trying for a suplex and Reigns is able to suplex Harper and Harper goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Harper with a rear chin lock while we see Bray watching the match in Byron Saxton’s chair. Reigns gets back to his feet and he punches Harper but Harper returns to the injured arm to send him to the mat. Harper with a hammer lock and he continues to work on the injured arm.
Reigns goes after Harper but Harper side steps Reigns and Reigns is sent to the floor and Reigns has aggravated his arm injury. Roman rolls in at nine and Harper kicks Reigns in the injured arm and then he drops knees to the left side of Reigns’ body.
Harper with a European uppercut and then Harper kicks the injured arm in the ropes. Reigns with punches as he cannot use his left arm and he hit a one arm suplex and Harper goes to the floor. Harper grabs the left arm and sends it into the ring post.
Harper kicks Reigns and hits a slingshot senton from the apron and he applies a top wrist lock and traps it in a chin lock. Harper puts the injured arm under Roman’s chin on a reverse chin lock. Reigns is sent into the turnbuckles but Reigns with an elbow and forearms. Harper with a punch and he misses a boot in the corner and Harper goes over the top rope to the floor.
Reigns with kicks to Harper followed by an uppercut and clothesline. Reigns with a flying clothesline. Reigns with an Irish whip but he stops short of the corner when Harper moves. Reigns with a Samoan drop and he gets a near fall. Wyatt gets in the way of the Juggernaut Broad Jump Drop kick and then Reigns punches Wyatt and he hits Harper with the drop kick. Wyatt pulls Reigns out of the ring and he gets Harper disqualified.
Winner: Roman Reigns (By Disqualification)
After the match:
Ambrose goes after Wyatt and then he goes after Harper. When Wyatt is done with Reigns, he joins Harper. Harper lawn darts Ambrose into Yeatonville.
Bray and Luke roll Reigns into the ring and Harper with a Crossface. Ambrose comes in and goes after Wyatt. Ambrose bounces off the ropes and hits a clothesline on Harper. Wyatt sets Ambrose for Sister Abigail, but Reigns with a Superman Punch.
Backstage:
Seth Rollins is walking in the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at the video package that opened tonight’s show.
WWE World Champion Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring.
Seth says it is good to see you too Kansas City. Seth says he has a question for everyone. He asks how does it feel to be wrong about Seth Rollins again? Don’t act like you didn’t underestimate him going into Battleground. You bought into Paul Heyman’s bullcrap propaganda just like the rest of the WWE Universe. He says he sees the Suplex City signs. He remembers how you reacted when Brock destroyed his $55,000 Cadillac. You cheered when J&J as well as that useless Kane was put on the shelf.
You were saying that Seth would be lucky to get out alive, let alone with his WWE Championship. SURPRISE, you were wrong again. He is here again, live and well and your reigning and undisputed WWE Champion.
Brock is the most vicious superstar in WWE History. He has taken everyone out on his path of destruction. He dominated John Cena and ended the Undertaker’s undefeated streak. Seth says he does not give a damn about Brock Lesnar. He is the WWE Champion and the most underappreciated Champion in the history of the WWE. He stood face to face with the beast and he took everything and he is still standing here. You people continue to disrespect me. You don’t understand what he has to go through to keep this title around his waist. Everything he does is to stay the WWE Champion.
Since he won this title at Wrestlemania, he has faced every challenge put before him and he has walked away with his title. You can talk all you want about the means, but the ends is what matters. Keeping the title around his waist is what matters. He is the best champion in this industry.
Brock’s past caught up to him last night. If Brock had half the brain that Seth has, he would have gotten out of there was soon as he saw the Undertaker show up. Seth says he cannot feel that he was robbed by Brock Lesnar and the Undertaker. Seth says that he would like to make it better. Seth asks Lillian Garcia to make her way into the ring.
Seth says one thing was missing from the match last night. We need to make the announcement that should have been made after his title match at Battleground.
Lillian announces that Brock won the match by disqualification but Seth is still the champion.
John Cena makes his way to the ring.
John tells Lillian that she does not have to put up with Seth’s crap. He tells everyone else they don’t have to deal with his crap.
Seth introduces John Cena and wonders why is he out here. Seth says none of his business involves John, but he wants to congratulate John on his big win over Kevin Owens. You have carved out quite a niche for the US Open Challenge. You must be here for your US Open Challenge, so the floor is his.
John points out that they became champions on the same night and whenever he makes a challenge, the people will see excellence from the champion and challenger. If not for you, it might not have happened. If you were not a suck up of a champion it might not have happened. Your actions make people lose faith in your title while they gain respect for the US Title.
Seth says you come out here and claim the title is a symbol of excellence and you defend your title against any Schmo. To earn a shot at his title, you have to earn it. You come out here and interrupt him? Seth says he is not a boy, he is the World Champion. You defending that title has nothing to do with the title, it is about you placating the people because you cannot stand that they hate your guts.
Seth says you can have your US Open Challenge, but he will go on being THE Champion in WWE.
John tells Seth to run away from every challenge that you have had since you were the so called champ. He says the champ is here. Judging by these people, who matter, it is not the title that makes the man, it is the man who makes the title. You don’t want to be a boy? If you want to be a man, he will tell Seth to his face. John tells Seth he is a joke.
Seth takes off his shirt and so does Cena.
Seth acts like he is ready to fight Cena, but he walks out of the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time to remember what happened last week with the Divas in case you missed it earlier tonight.
Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, and Alicia Fox are at ringside to join the commentary for the next match.
Paige and Becky Lynch (with Charlotte) vs Sasha Banks and Naomi ( with Tamina Snuka)
Becky and Sasha start things off and they lock up. Sasha backs Becky into the corner and she gives a clean break. Becky with arm drags into an arm bar. Sasha backs Becky into the corner and Naomi tags in and he connects with forearms. The referee has to pull Naomi out of the corner and Naomi sends Becky to the mat and she gets a near fall but Becky bridges up and hits a drop kick followed by snap leg drops.
Becky with a jumping leg drop for a near fall. Becky with a reverse chin lock. Paige tags in and they hit a double head butt on Naomi. Paige trips Naomi and kicks Naomi and gets a near fall. Naomi with shoulders in the corner and Sasha tags in and Paige with punches. Paige catches Sasha on a cross body attempt and Paige with a fallaway slam.
Becky tags back in and Paige with a knee in the corner followed by a double jump kick in the corner. Sasha pulls Becky down after Naomi distracts Becky. Sasha gets a near fall as we go to commercial.
We are back and Naomi slams Becky and hits an elbow drop. Naomi with a Jericho cover for a near fall. Naomi with a leg drop for a near fall. Naomi with a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break. Naomi with a front face lock. Naomi with a flying back elbow for a near fall. Sasha tags in and she kicks Becky in the corner. Sahsha with a snap mare and a slap to Becky for a near fall.
Sasha stands on Becky’s hand and she knocks Paige off the apron. Sasha sends Becky into the corner and Naomi punches Becky. Naomi tags in and they hit a double back elbow and Naomi kicks Becky in the ribs. Becky punches Naomi but Naomi with forearms and Naomi with a forearm for a near fall. Sasha tags in and hits a lungblower and applies a straitjacket choke. Sasha misses a short arm clothesline and Becky with a kick but Sasha keeps Becky form making the tag.
Becky escapes the corner but she cannot make the tag. Becky kicks Sasha way and Paige tags in and she hits a series of short arm clotheslines on Naomi and hits a drop kick and running knee into the corner followed by more knees. Paige reminds us of the real estate situation in the Divas Division and then she kicks Naomi and applies the PTO and Sasha breaks it up.
Paige sends Sasha to the floor and Tamina gets on the apron and Paige knocks her off. Naomi hits Paige and Sasha tags in and hits the lungblower into the Bank Statement and Paige taps out.
Winners: Sasha Banks and Naomi
Michael Cole talks about Jake Gyllenhaal’s training for Southpaw and the Tough Enough Trainers comment on his training process.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we are told that The Bellas will face Naomi and Sasha Banks on Smackdown.
We take another look at the brawl between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker.
In case you forgot about the Rusev and Lana situation, we see what happened when Rusev was a Fully Operational Bulgarian Brute and he took out the throat of Lana’s new boy toy, Dolph Ziggler.
Backstage:
Renee Young is with Lana and she asks him about Dolph’s condition. Lana says that Dolph is recovering at home and there is no permanent damage. She says that he is talking and he is getting ready for his return to the ring.
Summer Rae shows up and she is wearing the same outfit as Lana. Summer says it makes her look smarter and more dangerous. She says that she is going to keep it.
Rusev says that she looks beautiful. She looks angel like. He says his actions are better than his words and he kisses Summer. Rusev tells Summer he has to go to the ring for his match. He tells Lana that she is not looking too good and she needs some rest.
Summer slaps Lana and walks away.
John Cena, Ceasro, and Randy Orton vs Kevin Owens, Sheamus, and Rusev (w/ Summer Rae)
Cena and Owens start things off and Owens tags in Rusev before doing anything. Cena with a side head lock and flying shoulder tackle. Cena goes for a second one but Rusev catches Cena and hits a Fallaway slam and he kicks Cena. Rusev chokes Cena and he tags in Owens who punches Cena. Owens stomps on Cena and he taunts Cena.
Owens picks up Cena and he tries for the pop up power bomb but Cena leaps over Owens. Cena tries for the STF but Owens kicks Cena away and hits a DDT. Owens misses a cannonball when Cena moves out of the way. Sheamus and Cesaro tag in and Cesaro with a cross body and a running European uppercut followed by more European uppercuts in the corner. Cesaro with a HEY and then he sets for a Giant Swing but Owens interferes. Cesaro with a back drop to Owens but Rusev with a jumping thrust kick.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus with a reverse chin lock on Cesaro. Sheamus with a front face lock and Cesaro with a suplex to escape the hold but Owens tags in and he sends Cesaro to the apron. Cesaro with a kick to Owens and he takes care of Rusev. Sheamus tags in and he hits a running knee lift and clothesline. Sheamus wants to know if we are entertained.
Cesaro with a European uppercut but Sheamus with a kick and he tags in Rusev. Cesaro punches Rusev and Cesaro hits the Alpamare Water Slide and both men are down. Owens tags in and he tries for a boot in the corner but Cesaro with a European uppercut. Cesaro with a rollup for a near fall. Owens with a Codebreaker and then Sheamus argues with Owens. Owens and Sheamus push each other and Sheamus hits Owens and leaves with his briefcase.
Cesaro crawls to his corner and Owens stops Cesaro from making the tag but Rusev is down on the floor. Cesaro kicks Owens but Owens with a back senton. Owens makes a forceful tag to Rusev in the chest and Owens walks away and hits a super kick on Rusev. Owens walks away.
Cesaro continues his crawl across the ring to make the tag and Orton tags in and he hits two clotheslines and then ducks a clothesline from Rusev and hits a power slam. Rusev with a knee but Orton with a kick and punch. Orton sends Rusev to the mat and Orton with an Exploder that sends Rusev to the apron. Cena with the IEDDT to Rusev and then Orton looks around and turns to the mat for the RKO push ups. Orton tries for the RKO but Rusev escapes and he hits a jumping thrust kick.
Lana Classic makes her way to the ring and she goes after New Lana and they argue on the floor. Lana throws a shoe at Summer and we have a mini skirt cat fight. Lana tells Summer not to touch her again.
Rusev, despite saying he is over Lana, ignores that there is STILL A MATCH GOING ON. Cena with an Attitude Adjustment followed by the Giant Swing and then Cesaro catapults Orton into an RKO and Orton gets the three count.
Winners: Cesaro, John Cena, and Randy Orton
We go to credits.
