WWE Raw Live Coverage & Discussion Thread - August 15th, 2016

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Venue: American Bank Center
City: Corpus Christi, TX

Announcers: Cory Graves Michael Cole & Byron Saxton

Lesnar resurfaces before SummerSlam

The animosity between Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton has never been greater, and at SummerSlam, The Viper and The Beast Incarnate will wage a war that’s been 15 years in the making. On the final Raw before The Biggest Event of the Summer, Lesnar will address his forthcoming clash with WWE’s Apex Predator. Will Orton be watching?

– Tonight’s WWE RAW opens up with a look back at last week’s show.

– We’re live from Corpus Christi, Texas as Finn Balor is outside talking about how he will defeat “The Demon King” Finn Balor at WWE SummerSlam to become the first-ever Universal Champion.

– We go to the ring and Lana is in the ring with WWE United States Champion. They’re not happy. Michael Cole welcomes us and he’s joined by Byron Saxton, Corey Graves. Lana says they’re not leaving the ring and everyone must listen to what they have to say. Rusev said Roman Reigns ruined their historical wedding event. He said there won’t be a Raw until Reigns comes out and apologizes. The fans chanted USA.

Mick Foley made his entrance and motioned from the floor for the two of them to exit the ring. The fans chanted Foley. Rusev said he knows it’s Foley and said he’s the “so-called general manager of Raw.” Rusev said he is the greatest U.S. Champion and demands respect.

Foley said off-mic that the viewers don’t want to see Rusev, they want to see matches. Foley said they had all the time they needed last week. Rusev recalled saying Foley was the best GM last week. “I lied because you suck,” Rusev said. He complained that Reigns doesn’t deserve a title shot, then complained that he gets “opportunity after opportunity after opportunity.” Rusev called for Stephanie McMahon to come out instead of Foley.

Stephanie McMahon made her entrance and said his behavior is unacceptable. Stephanie said no one deserves respect more than Foley, and she supports all of his decisions. Rusev barked that he deserves respect, then said maybe he’ll call Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan.

Roman Reigns’ music played and he made his entrance to boos and cheers. Reigns said he would apologize if that would end this. He said he’s sorry Rusev found that website where he met his wife. It actually got some laughs. He said he’s sorry they will make Sasquatch babies.

Reigns said he didn’t feel like waiting to fight until SummerSlam. Foley stood between the wrestlers. Rusev said the match is about his wife’s honor. Foley said SummerSlam is about Rusev vs. Reigns for the title, but tonight is about Rusev vs. Reigns with Rusev defending his wife’s honor…

The broadcast team hyped SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar appearing on Raw, and Rollins calling out The Demon King.

– Still to come, Rollins will call out The Demon King. Back to commercial.

Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn

Back from the break and we see what happened with Sheamus and Sami Zayn last week. Byron Saxton is in the ring interviewing Sheamus. He rips Sami and calls him a cheap knockoff of The Celtic Warrior. Sheamus threatens to kick his head off and out comes Sami to a pop.

Sami hits the ring and throws his shirt at Sheamus. They brawl before the bell. We get the bell and go at it. Cesaro joins the announcers for commentary. Back and forth to start. Sami goes for the tornado DDT through the turnbuckles but Sheamus levels him. We go to the commercial with Sami down on the floor.

Back from the break and Sheamus has Sami down in the ring. Fans chant “ole!” for Sami. Sheamus with more offense and another 2 count. Sami ends up trying for the dive but Sheamus hits him with forearms on the corner. Sami comes back and clotheslines Sheamus to the floor. Sami nails the big dive. More back and forth. Sheamus with a 2 count after White Noise. Sami comes back and hits the Blue Thunderbomb but Sheamus kicks out at 2. Sami readies for the Helluva Kick but Sheamus catches him in the Irish Curse. Sheamus readies for the Brogue Kick as Cesaro runs to ringside and distracts him. This leads to Sami getting the win with a Helluva Kick.

Winner: Sami Zayn

– Backstage, Tom Phillips interviewed Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens. Jericho said the Owens vs. Big Cass match is not a one-on-one match because he has KO’s back. Owens said he and Jericho are closer after one week than Enzo and Cass are now. Owens said you can’t teach Cass how to spell properly because there’s now A or W in soft.

The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz

Back from the break and The Dudley Boyz are in the ring. We get another promo from Dr. Luke Gallows and Dr. Karl Anderson to taunt The New Day on Big E’s injury. WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are out next for this non-title match.

A miscommunication between The Dudleyz leads to The New Day getting a pretty easy win.

Winners: The New Day

– After the match, Kofi and Xavier take the mic to taunt Gallows and Anderson after they appear on the big screen with another vignette.

– Still to come, Nia Jax. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Seth Rollins is backstage looking for Finn Balor. He walks up on Neville, who says Rollins isn’t ready for The Demon.

Rachel Levy vs. Nia Jax

Nia Jax makes her way to the ring as local competitor Rachel waits in the ring. Byron Saxton interviews her and she’s confident about winning, despite her small size. Nia dominates and ends up dumping Rachel out tot he floor. Nia brings her back in and hits her finisher for the win.

Winner: Nia Jax

– Paul Heyman is walking in Brock Lesnar’s locker room backstage. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and out comes Paul Heyman with Brock Lesnar to a big pop.

– Back from the break and out comes Paul Heyman with Brock Lesnar to a big pop.

Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman made their entrance. The fans chanted “Suplex City” and Lesnar nodded and thanked them while Heyman waited to start his promo. Heath Slater’s music played and he walked onto the stage.

Heyman said he didn’t know who put Slater up to this or if he was listening to the voices in Orton’s head. Slater addressed them as Mr. Heyman and Mr. Beast and said he is the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today. Slater walked toward the ring as he spoke about how the Smackdown Live crew wouldn’t know talent if it slapped them in the face. Slater said that’s why he had to go to Heyman.

Heyman laughed and said he’s not laughing with Slater, he’s laughing at him. Heyman laughed at the thought of advocating Lesnar and Slater. Slater told him to laugh it up. Slater said what he was trying to say was that he was getting another opportunity get a WWE contract. “All I have to do is beat your client one-on-one tonight,” Slater said. Slater asked if he could please go one-on-one with Lesnar. The fans chanted “Yes!”

Heyman said Slater is doing way too much partying on the Freebird tour bus in Texas. He said the joke is over. He told the production truck to cut Slater out of the picture. Heyman delivered his self introduction. Slater climbed onto the apron and yelled, then told Heyman not to disrespect him. Slater said he has kids that he has to feed.

“My two little girls at home and all the other kids that I have are relying on me,” Slater said. He indicated that he doesn’t want to get his ass whooped by Lesnar, but he has to. Heyman said he was trying to save him. Slater said he has kids who depend on him.

Lesnar took the mic and cut off Slater. Lesnar said he can appreciate what Slater was saying. Lesnar said Slater has responsibilities, has to put food on the table, has mouths to feed, and has kids. “I have kids too, man,” Lesnar said.

Brock called for Slater to join him in the ring. Lesnar approached Slater and said he doesn’t give a (censored) about Slater’s kids. Lesnar told Slater he could walk out on his own two feet or stand there and keep pissing him off. Lesnar dropped the mic.

Slater teased leaving, then charged at Lesnar, who clotheslined him. Brock took Slater to Suplex City with some German Suplexes and an F5. The crowd was quiet, but then they broke into a Suplex City chant.

Heyman said Slater deserves credit for having the guts to go against Lesnar. Heyman said Orton doesn’t measure up to Lesnar. Heyman said his job is to promote SummerSlam. He said he’s a hype artist. He said he’s supposed to sell you on Orton having a chance, but if he said those words then Lesnar wouldn’t believe anything he said. Heyman said this is “the summer of The Conquerer, and The Beast is in heat.”

Heyman spoke about Lesnar’s “unparalleled dominance” in the Broctagaon. He said Lesnar is the box office at SummerSlam because there’s no one in the locker room who can stand up to him. He said not even a future Hall of Famer, a WrestleMania main eventer, and the owner of the RKO can stand up to Lesnar.

Heyman said the hype is that fans have the chance to see the “once ever athlete” who will have an official match with an official result that will go down in the history books. Heyman said you have a chance to see The Beast in action live…

A shot aired of Enzo Amore and Big Cass backstage while Cole hyped Cass vs. Kevin Owens for after the break Back to commercial.

Kevin Owens vs. Big Cass

Back from the break and out comes Enzo Amore and Big Cass to a pop. They cut promos on their SummerSlam opponents before Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens interrupt. Back and forth to start the match. We go to commercial with Owens in control.

Back from the break and Owens remains in control. He fights Cass off and goes for the corner cannonball but eats a big boot. Cass with splashes in the corner. Cass keeps on but Owens dumps him over the top rope. Owens goes for an apron powerbomb but Cass backdrops him to the floor. Cass runs over Owens on the floor but Jericho decks him from behind for the disqualification.

Winner by DQ: Big Cass

– After the match, Jericho and Owens destroy Cass before bringing him in the ring. Cass fights them both off but gets superkicked by Owens. Owens and Jericho stand tall as Jericho’s music hits.

– Tom Phillips approaches Roman Reigns backstage. He says he’s going to represent his bloodline and whoop Rusev’s ass. Reigns is ready for anything but he wants it to be the big fight… Rusev attacks him from behind. Rusev beats on Reigns as Lana looks on. Reigns fights back but Rusev crushes him into a door, then tosses him onto a table. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and the announcers plug the WWE Network line-up for SummerSlam Week.

The Shining Stars vs. The Prime Time Players

We go to the ring and Primo waits with Epico as WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund leads Titus O’Neil and Darren Young to the ring. The former Prime Time Players have put their differences aside.

Back and forth match. The PTP look to get the win until Titus hits Clash of the Titus on Young and walks out. Backlund looks on confused. Primo gets the pin on Young.

Winners: The Shining Stars

– After the match, Backlund checks on Young.

– Still to come, Rollins addresses The Demon King.

Neville vs. Jinder Mahal

Back from a break and out comes Jinder Mahal. Neville is out next.

Back and forth to start. Neville brings it back in but Jinder avoids Red Arrow. Mahal unloads and gets a close 2 count after a big boot. Mahal dropkicks Neville in the back and covers for another 2 count. Neville comes back and ends up winning with Red Arrow.

Winner: Neville

– Foley and Stephanie are backstage. Foley announces that Jon Stewart will be their guest at SummerSlam. Rollins walks in and wants the night off but Foley suggests he try looking for Balor by calling him out in the ring. Back to commercial.

– Seth Rollins stood in the ring and said he’s been searching for the Demon King all day and can’t find him. Rollins said there is nothing and no one that can stop him from becoming the first WWE Universal Champion. Rollins called for the Demon King to come out and face him so that he could kick him off of the throne he’s sitting on.

Rollins said Finn Balor is trying to intimidate him because he’s afraid of him. Rollins said he would be afraid of himself too. Rollins said the Demon King is just another chapter in the book of Rollins. He said the Demon King won’t come out and look in his eyes because he’s terrified.

A fan entered the ring and caught Rollins off-guard. Rollins watched as the fan was presumably taken out. Cole said Rollins was in a trance (no, we just saw that on Impact). Rollins started talking again and Cole stopped trying to fill with that bad line.

Finn Balor made his entrance as The Demon King and had words written on the right side of his body. Once in the ring, he stood on the ropes as fog shot off behind him. Balor stood in mid-ring and removed his headdress. Rollins, who had bolted to ringside, was cautious as he reentered the ring. There was a “holy shit” chant.

Balor and Rollins went face to face. There was a “this is awesome” chant. Rollins took a swing at Balor, who quickly took control. Rollins caught Balor with a kick. Balor returned the favor. Balor performed a running dropkick. Balor went for the Coup de Grace, but Rollins rolled to the floor. Balor performed a flip dive onto him on the floor, then rushed back to the ring to pose as his music played…

The broadcast team spoke while standing in front of their desk. Graves spoke about how deep in the mind of Balor is a door and when he opens it he goes through a metamorphosis. Graves said it’s an other worldly aggression that Balor unleashes when he gets into this form

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

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Golden Truth

Back from the break and Goldust is in the ring with R-Truth. Doctors Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are out next.

Back and forth match until The Club takes over. After a miscommunication at the end, they get the win with a Magic Killer on Goldust.

Winners: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson

– After the match, Gallows and Anderson continue mocking Big E’s injury until Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods attack from behind. They unload on Gallows and Anderson, then stand tall as fans pop. Fans chant “New Day rocks” as Woods tries to nail them with Francesca but misses. The two teams have words as New Day looks on from the ring.

– The announces hype the WWE Network.

– We see Charlotte warming up backstage. Dana Brooke approaches her and apologizes for disappointing her. Charlotte cuts her off, insults her and asks why she failed her when it mattered the most. Charlotte says this is her spotlight, not theirs. Charlotte says she will win gold at SummerSlam, beat Alicia Fox tonight and then just might ask Stephanie McMahon to replace Dana with someone who isn’t an epic failure next week on RAW.

Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox

Back from a break and out comes Alicia Fox. WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks is on commentary. Charlotte is out next.

Charlotte gets the win with Natural Selection after a back and forth match.

Winner: Charlotte

– After the match, Sasha stands up at the announce table and they stare each other down. Sasha makes her way into the ring but Dana Brooke rushes out of nowhere. Sasha catches it too late and gets beat down. Charlotte applies the Figure Four and keeps it locked as Dana holds officials off. The referee finally gets the hold broken as Sasha clutches her knee and fans boo. Charlotte poses as fans tell her she sucks. She leaves while her music plays and Sasha looks on.

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

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev

Back from the break and Lana is in the ring ranting on Roman Reigns and her husband. WWE United States Champion Rusev is out next and he’s just as upset. Roman Reigns is out next for this non-title SummerSlam preview.

They go at it as soon as Reigns hits the ring. They end up on the floor and Reigns nails the Drive By. Rusev tries to get a break but Reigns follows. Rusev counters and sends Reigns ribs-first into the barrier. Rusev sends Reigns into the ring post next. We go to commercial without even getting the bell.

They aired a video package on Braun Strowman’s dominance before this match began. Back from the break and Rusev is still in control, working on Reigns in the ring. Rusev drops elbows and keeps Reigns down as Lana looks on. Reigns tries to fight back but Rusev cuts him off. Reigns with a Samoan Drop. Rusev keeps fighting but Reigns unloads with the usual moves. They end up on the floor again and Rusev sends Reigns into the steel a few times. Rusev wastes time and plays to the fans before sending Reigns into the steps again.

Rusev grabs the US Title but Reigns blocks the shot. Reigns fights back but Rusev sends him bad arm-first back into the barrier. We go to another commercial break.

Back from the break with more back and forth. They trade finisher attempts. Rusev with pin attempts after diving headbutts. Rusev with another headbutt for another 2 count. More of Rusev in control. He goes for the big kick but Reigns nails a Superman punch in mid-air. Rusev kicks out at 2. Reigns looks to make a comeback but runs into a kick and goes down for another close 2 count. Reigns fights off The Accolade. Rusev blocks another punch and hits a big kick to the back. Rusev gets The Accolade locked but Reigns finally gets the bottom rope to break it.

Reigns finally hits a spear out of nowhere to get the win.

Winner: Roman Reigns

– After the match, Reigns recovers as Lana looks on from the floor and cries. Rusev rolls to the floor and we get replays. RAW goes off the air with Reigns standing tall in the corner.