RAW LIVE Coverage & Discussion - 11th Jan, 2016
We start off with a look back at last weeks Raw and how Smackdown opened with the video package recapping the opening segment as well as the main event and Vinces announcement of the title match at The Royal Rumble.
Many of the wrestlers are on the stage but they part like the Red Sea when Vince McMahon makes his way to the ring with his daughter Stephanie and they both walk like Vince.
Vince and Stephanie talk about happy days. Stephanie wants to know why the people are not happy. Vince says to take a look at the next WWE World Champion as he points to the stage. Stephanie wonders which one. Vince says that one of these thirty men will make history.
Stephanie says that Roman defending the title in the Royal Rumble match will be making history. She says that one of you will make history when you throw Roman Reigns over the top rope.
Vince points out that after eliminating Roman, you still have twenty-eight other people to beat.
Vince says it could be Dolph Ziggler. For ten years, you have grabbed that brass ring and you can finally get it.
Stephanie says that Kevin Owens could win and cement the greatest first year in WWE history.
Vince says that . . . it could be a New Day. Vince and Stephanie say that ain't booty.
The lights go out and back on and the Wyatt Family is by the announce table.
Bray says it is like he said, anyone but you Roman. Anyone but you.
Vince agrees and says it could be anyone, including someone not on the stage, Brock Lesnar.
Roman Reigns music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Stephanie criticizes the fans for not chanting in unison. Then she asks Roman if he is going to beat up her father again.
Vince says he does not think so and he wants to know why Roman is here.
Roman says he has one question. What happens if he wins.
Stephanie starts to laugh and she calls Roman delusional. Are you looking at the sea of humanity of people you will be facing.
Vince says there is a chance, but the odds are astronomical. Vince says he will give Roman a chance to see if it can happen. Stephanie says that there will be a one versus all against most of the people on the stage. Vince and Stephanie say it will be a long night.
It could be against Dean Ambrose. Vince says Dean is in their first match so he won't be there.
Sheamus attacks Dean Ambrose and Vince advises that Sheamus will be Dean's opponent.
We go to commercial.
Non Title Match
Dean Ambrose (c) vs Sheamus
The match is joined in progress and Sheamus with a belly-to-back suplex. Sheamus with punches but Dean with punches and chops of his own. Dean with a rake of the eyes from the turnbuckles. Sheamus sends Dean to the floor. Sheamus with forearms across the chest alternating with an uppercut to the back. Sheamus with a clothesline. Sheamus with a snap mare and reverse chin lock.
Sheamus with a forearm to the back and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Ambrose with a belly-to-back suplex to escape. Sheamus with a double sledge to Dean. Dean goes to the apron and Sheamus punches Ambrose. Sheamus pulls the shirt over Dean�s head and Ambrose blocks a forearm. Dean with head butts and he connects with forearms across the chest. Sheamus drops Dean on the top rope.
Sheamus sends Dean into the ringside barrier. Sheamus tells Dean not to embarrass him. Sheamus with a suplex throw onto the announce table. Sheamus sends Dean back into the ring and Dean actually goes into the ring. Sheamus with a rear chin lock. Dean with punches but Sheamus with a knee and he tries to suplex Dean but Dean lands on his feet. Dean with a knee as Sheamus charges into the corner. Dean with forearms and then he hits a running forearm or two.
Dean with a clothesline in the corner but Sheamus avoids the bulldog. Sheamus misses a Brogue Kick and goes over the top rope to the floor. Ambrose with a suicide dive.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus catches Ambrose off the turnbuckles and he hits the uranage back breaker. Sheamus with a Scorpion Cloverleaf and Ambrose makes it to the ropes. Sheamus with a head butt but Dean with head butts of his own. Ambrose bounces off the ropes on an Irish whip and Dean with a neck breaker for a near fall.
Ambrose goes up top and Sheamus stops him. Dean goes for the Finlay Slam but Dean gets to his feet and he gets a near fall with a rollup. Sheamus misses a charge into the corner and hits the ring post shoulder first. Ambrose with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Ambrose goes up top and hits the elbow to the chest and gets a near fall.
Sheamus with an elbow but Dean with a kick. Sheamus escapes the double underhook DDT. Ambrose escapes White Noise. Ambrose with a clothesline that sends Sheamus to the floor. Ambrose sets for a suicide dive but Sheamus with a forearm and Ambrose is down on the apron. Sheamus sends Ambrose into the ringside barrier. Sheamus sends Ambrose into the ringside barrier a few more times as the referee continues his count. Sheamus sends Ambrose into the ring steps.
Ambrose escapes being sent into the ring post and he sends Sheamus into the post. The referee gets to ten.
Double Count Out
After the match
Ambrose sends Sheamus into the ring post and throat first into the announce table. Ambrose sends Sheamus into the ring steps. Ambrose sets up the ring steps and Kevin Owens attacks Ambrose from behind. Owens picks up Ambrose and officials try to stop him. Finally, five officials are able to keep Kevin away, but Kevin fakes right and goes left and resumes his attack.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Kevin Owens attacking Dean Ambrose.
Backstage:
We go to Renee Young who has an update from outside the trainer's room.
Dean comes out and she asks about his injury.
Dean says maybe he has a few bruises, a banged up knee, or a few screws loose. Dean says he is alive and he is breathing. That is bad new for Kevin Owens.
Backstage:
Stephanie and Vince are walking in the back and they stop to talk to Paul Heyman.
Paul says he was watching the opening of the Raw with the one versus all concept and he likes it. Paul says it blew his mind. Paul says that you invoked the name of his client, Brock Lesnar in that description.
Stephanie asks why wouldn�t Brock want to participate since history will be made at the Royal Rumble.
Paul says that Brock does not want to be in the Royal Rumble because he is a prize fighter and he wants to fight on the biggest stage of them all, Wrestlemania.
Vince says he does not want Paul to change his plans.
Paul says what better box office attraction is there for Wrestlemania than the Royal Rumble winner against the biggest box office star, Brock Lesnar.
Stephanie suggests that they discuss this in private.
Stardust comes to the ring.
We go to a commercial.
Stardust vs Titus O'Neil
Stardust with a forearm and knees. Titus with a slam to Stardust. Titus chops Stardust in the corner. Titus with another chop and Irish whip but Titus runs into a knee. Stardust comes off the turnbuckles but Titus catches him. Titus with two backbreakers and he tosses Stardust aside. Stardust with a kick to the knee and he follows with kicks in the corner. Titus misses a clothesline and Stardust with a drop kick for a near fall.
Stardust with a knee to the back and he rakes the eyes. Stardust with a sleeper but Titus gets to his feet and he snap mares Stardust. Titus with clotheslines. Stardust with a kick but Titus with a boot to the chest. Titus with a bark and splash into the corner. Stardust with a Side Effect and he gets a near fall. Stardust goes to the turnbuckles and he leaps over Titus. Titus with Clash of the Titus for the three count.
Winner: Titus O 'Neil
After the match
Titus celebrates with a fan and Stardust attacks Titus from behind and sends him into the ringside barrier a few times.
We go to commercial.
We are back and it is time for the Highlight Reel with your host Chris Jericho.
Chris welcomes everyone to Raw is Jericho and the return of the Highlight Reel. Everyone around the world has been talking about Chris Jericho returning to Raw to save the WWE. Jericho shows us the reaction online on the Jeritron 6500.
Chris says ever since he returned, there has been a domino effect of rebirth. Star Wars is number one, Gun N Roses is back together, and he is here to save WWE. Chris says his attempt to save the WWE started last week, continues tonight, and culminates in two weeks when he wins the Royal Rumble and walks out as a seven time World Champion.
Big E starts the introduction for The New Day and they make their way to the ring.
Xavier says that since you did not introduce his guests, it was their job to save your show from itself. Big E says they have had enough of you talking that flim flam. Talking that hot garbage. Spitting that booty chatter. That is why they are here to address that little something.
Chris says that he doesnt want this to go into overkills. He wants to know if you are still angry that he called them Rooty Tooty Booty last week. Chris continues to say it until the crowd realizes they are supposed to take over.
Kofi tells Chris he does not know how to show respect. Xavier reminds Chris that they are the WWE Tag Team Champions. They are the real Slammy Award Winners for Tag Team of the Year. Big E says he has had enough of Chris' shameful return, his shameful show, and his shameful scarf.
Jimmy and Jey Uso come out because their music plays. They want everything to be whoaed down. Jey asks if The New Day is the Tag Team of the Year, why are the Usos holding the Slammys. Why not prove if you are the best tag team.
Xavier says the only team worse than you are Mel Gibson and Ricky Gervais. Kofi tells Jim that his game is off tonight. Kofi says there are two of you, but three members of the New Day.
Chris Jericho jumps in and he points out that there are a total of six people in the ring.
Why not have Kofi Kingston and Big E with Xavier in their corner against the Usos with Chris Jericho in their corner.
We go to commercial.
Non Title Match
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso (with Chris Jericho) vs Big E and Kofi Kingston (with Xavier Woods)
Jimmy and Kofi start off and after a test of strength, Jimmy with a side head lock. Kofi with a knee to the midsection followed by a kick and punch. Jimmy slides into the corner and connects with an uppercut. Jey tags in and they hit a double back elbow and double elbow drop. Jey gets a near fall and an arm bar. Kofi with a punch and he tags in Big E. Big E with a running shoulder tackle and he does some dancing. Big E runs for the Warrior splash but Jey gets up and hits a back elbow. Jimmy tags in and slides into the corner and then connects with a forearm. Jimmy floats over in the corner and he does some dancing.
Jimmy with a palm thrust and Jey tags in and hits a double sledge off the turnbuckles. Big E with a back elbow. Kofi tags in and he connects with a double sledge from the turnbuckles. Jey with punches but Kofi with a kick. Kofi with forearms and he chokes Jey in the ropes. Big E with a kick while the referee is not looking. Kofi with an Irish whip but he misses a splash.
Jimmy tags in and he connects with a back elbow and a splash into the corner. Jimmy with a running drop kick into the corner. Jimmy sets for the running butt splash and he connects. Jimmy gets a near fall. Kofi with a jaw breaker but Jimmy with an uppercut. Kofi pushes Jimmy off the turnbuckles and Jimmy falls into the ringside barrier while Xavier plays on the trombone until he sees Chris Jericho. Jericho chases Woods away.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kofi kick and punches Jimmy. Kofi gets a near fall. We see footage during the commercial break when Big E ran Jimmy into the ringside barrier. Kofi with a reverse chin lock to Jimmy and Kofi punches Jimmy and sends him to the mat. Big E tags in and Big E with the splash on the apron to Jimmy.
Big E gets a near fall. Big E with an abdominal stretch. Jimmy with forearms but Big E with a clothesline. Big E claps in front of Jimmy and Jimmy with an uppercut. Kofi tags in but Jimmy sends Big E to the floor. Jimmy gets to his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt. Jimmy tries to make the tag but Big E pulls Jey off the apron. Kofi with a splash to the back and then Kofi sends Jimmy to the floor. Big E with a clothesline while Kofi distracts the referee. Kofi gets a near fall.
Kofi with the Boom Drop. Kofi misses Trouble in Paradise and then Jimmy hits a Dragon Whip and makes the tag to Jey. Big E tags in and Jey with clotheslines and a kick followed by an uppercut. Jey with a drop kick and then Kofi goes over the top rope to the floor. Jey with a plancha onto Big E and Kofi.
Jey goes up top and he hits a cross body on Big E for a near fall. Jey charges into the corner but Big E with a belly-to-belly suplex for a near fall. The straps come down for Big E and he gets Jey up for the Big Ending but Jey gets to his feet and he hits a super kick. Kofi makes the tag and he comes off the ropes and Jey with a super kick. Jey goes up top and Woods gets on the apron to distract the referee and allows Kofi to knock Jey off the turnbuckles>
Jericho blows the trombone in Woods' ears and then Jericho breaks the trombone. Woods cries like a family member died. Jey with a rollup on Kofi for the three count.
Winners: Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso
Michael Cole mentions that John Cena will not be in the Royal Rumble this year. We see footage from his surgery last week.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Stephanie tells Paul that he can be so infuriating. Stephanie wants to negotiate with Paul. Paul tells Stephanie to tell her father that he is right. The winner of the Royal Rumble should face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania.
Stephanie points out that the World Title is on the line at the Royal Rumble, so why not be in the match.
Paul tells Stephanie to tell her father and her husband that Brock Lesnar says no.
Stephanie tells Paul to tell his client that Vince McMahon, the CEO of the WWE, the man who owns Brock’s contract will be in the Royal Rumble. Stephanie tells Paul never to get so close to her.
Hall of Fame Nominee
John Layfield is in the ring to announce the first person to be inducted into the 2016 Class for the WWE Hall of Fame. That man started his career in New Orleans and that man is Sting.
We have a video package for Sting.
The Wyatt Family makes their way to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bray is about to speak but Heath Slater, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, and Adam Rose interrupt.
Heath says to get your penicillin because they are going viral. Adam Rose says he sees monsters, and trolls. Curtis says there is a new family in town. Bo says that the Royal Rumble is every man for themselves but tonight, they are like the Four Musketeers.
Curtis Axel, Heath Slater, Bo Dallas, and Adam Rose vs Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman
Rose and Strowman start things off and Rose with kicks but Strowman sends Rose to the mat. Bo tags himself in and Strowman with a biel. Axel tags in and hits a few forearms but Strowman stays on his feet. Strowman with a shoulder tackle. Wyatt tags in and Ryback comes out and he goes after the Wyatts but Harper and Rowan stop him. Ryback goes after Wyatt and Strowman pulls him to the floor. Ryback clotheslines Rowan over the top rope to the floor.
No Contest
We take a look at what happened at the start of Smackdown when it debuted on USA Network.
Backstage:
Renee Young is in the interview area with Kalisto. Renee asks Kalisto about facing Alberto Del Rio for the United States Title. Kalisto says the US title means everything to him because it means opportunity. John Cena gave everyone a chance. Eddie Guerrero held his own and he fought with pride. Alberto Del Rio runs from a fight. That is not a true champion. Kalisto says he fights every day for an opportunity. Tonight, he will give his all.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Alberto Del Rio asks if you want to see John Cena. You will not see John tonight because of Alberto. Alberto is a man of his word and John will also not be in the Royal Rumble match. It gets better. John Cena is not going to Wrestlemania. Alberto says he broke John Cena. Tonight, he is going to break someone else. Kalisto reminds him of a mosquito. He flies around annoying people and his life is meaningless. You kill a mosquito by squashing it.
United States Championship
Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio (c)
Del Rio with a shoulder tackle as the bell rings. Del Rio with punches and a kick to the midsection. Del Rio with a suplex. Del Rio with an Irish whip and clothesline in the corner. Del Rio with another clothesline in the corner. Del Rio with a DDT. Kalisto rolls to the floor and Del Rio follows him to the floor. Del Rio sends Kalisto back into the ring. Del Rio goes up top and hits a forearm to the head and he gets a near fall.
Del Rio puts Kalisto on the turnbuckles and punches him. Kalisto blocks the superplex and he punches and head butts Del Rio off the turnbuckles. Kalisto with a seated splash and springboard corkscrew splash. Del Rio blocks the rana driver and Del Rio with a sit out power bomb for a near fall.
Del Rio sends Kalisto to the floor. Del Rio goes back to the floor and he kicks Kalisto against the ringside barrier. Del Rio sends Kalisto back into the ring and he gets a near fall. Kalisto with kicks but Del Rio with a knee. Del Rio runs into a boot and Kalisto with a cross body off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Del Rio with a clothesline and he gets a near fall.
Kalisto with kicks to the leg and then the chest. Kalisto with a head scissors take down. Del Rio goes to the floor and Kalisto goes for a suicide dive but Del Rio sees it coming and he propels Kalisto into the ringside barrier.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kalisto is up top and he goes for a cross body but Del Rio moves and sends Kalisto to the mat. Del Rio gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock as we see Del Rio throwing Kalisto into the ringside barrier during the commercial break. Kalisto with a kick to the head. Kalisto kicks Del Rio again.
Del Rio blocks a kick from Kalisto and Del Rio with a suplex. Del Rio goes up top but Kalisto crotches Del Rio. Kalisto with a super rana and both men are down. Kalisto with a corkscrew splash and a tornado DDT for a near fall. Del Rio with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Del Rio misses a super kick but Kalisto with a Listo Kick and he gets a near fall.
Kalisto goes up top but Del Rio crotches Kalisto and connects with a forearm to the back. Del Rio sets for a reverse superplex and hits it. Kalisto with a kick and he tries for Salida Del Sol but Del Rio drops Kalisto on the top rope. Del Rio puts Kalisto in the Tree of Woe and kicks him. Del Rio goes to the apron and then up top but he misses the double stomp.
Kalisto with the rana driver for a near fall. Kalisto tries for Salida Del Sol but Del Rio lands on his feet. Del Rio with a kick to the midsection. Kalisto with a victory roll for the three count.
Winner: Kalisto
We take a look at what happened last week during the match between friends between Becky Lynch and Charlotte.
Backstage:
JoJo is in the interview area with Charlotte and Ric Flair. JoJo asks Charlotte to explain why she attacked Becky last week. Charlotte says she beat Becky Flair and Square. She is the most dominant female in the division. She will do anything to be champion. She was taught by Paige that there is no place for sentiment. Becky will never be better than her. If anything, Becky is the villain and she is the victim.
Ric and Becky leave but Ric returns and says that is his little girl.
We go to commercial.
Non Title Match
Brie Bella (with Alicia Fox) vs Charlotte (with Ric Flair)
Before the match starts, Becky Lynch attacks Charlotte and tries to put her in the DisArmHer. Becky sends Charlotte to the mat and the referee has to pull Becky off Charlotte. Becky with more punches and forearms.
Becky says she is taking Charlotte's arm.
Ric wants to know what the hell Becky is doing. He says the Divas Champion is not wrestling tonight because of your Becky Lynch. Just retire already Ric.
Backstage:
Paul Heyman is in the back and he is talking to Brock Lesnar about something.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Becky Lynch deciding to attack Charlotte.
Backstage:
JoJo stops Becky in the back. Becky asks how would you feel when your best friend turned their back on you. She did what she said she would never do. She used her Hall of Fame father for protection. Becky says she is on her own and that is where she needs to be. Her emotions are where they should be. Charlotte talks about being genetically superior, but Becky reminds everyone that she made Charlotte tap out. She will make her tap out again.
Michael Cole reminds us that the WWE Title is on the line in the Royal Rumble Match and that Brock Lesnar will be in the match. We see what happened earlier tonight.
One Versus All Match
Roman Reigns vs Many People
The participants are Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Braun Strowman, Erick Rowan, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Big E, Konnor, Viktor, Stardust, and Tyler Breeze.
Vince McMahon says this is the first time for the McMahon version of One Versus All. You will face each and every one of these men until you can no longer move.
Vince says Kevin Owens starts things off.
Part One: Kevin Owens versus Roman Reigns
They lock up and go to a stalemate. They lock up again and Reigns with a waist lock. Owens with elbows and a wrist lock. Reigns with a reversal into a side head lock. Reigns with a shoulder tackle and Owens goes to the floor to regroup. Owens gets back into the ring and he punches Reigns and kicks him in the corner.
Owens punches Reigns and connects with a forearm to the back of the head. Owens with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Owens with a reverse chin lock. Reigns sets for a Samoan drop but Owens lands on his feet. Reigns with an uppercut and neck breaker. Reigns gets sent to the apron and Reigns with a punch. Sheamus gets in Reigns ' line of sight and Owens with a super kick.
Owens with a back senton on the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens with a reverse chin lock. Reigns with a kick but Owens sends Reigns to the floor. Owens with a Fallaway Slam into the ringside barrier. Owens gets a near fall when they get back into the ring. We see Owens sending Reigns into the ringside barrier and then hit a frog splash off the apron. Back to the live action in the ring with Owens putting Reigns in a Cobra Clutch.
Reigns gets back to his feet and he hits a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Owens with a super kick to Reigns and he gets a near fall. Owens kicks Reigns in the back of the head and then kicks him in the back. Owens with a reverse chin lock. Reigns with head butts in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Reigns misses a shoulder in the corner and Reigns hits the ring post shoulder first. Owens with a cannonball to Reigns. Owens gets a near fall.
Owens misses the back senton when Reigns moves. Reigns with a boot to Owens followed by a punch. Owens with a punch and Reigns punches back. They go back and forth with punches until Reigns gains the advantage. Reigns with two clotheslines followed by a flying clothesline. Reigns sets for the splash into the corner but Owens gets his boot up. Owens with a head butt.
Reigns runs Owens into the corner and he connects with Neverending Story. Reigns blocks a super kick and connects with a punch and boot to the head. Reigns looks around and sets for the Superman punch. Konnor and Viktor get on the apron and they eat a Superman punch. Stardust falls victim to the Samoan drop. Reigns with a one arm power bomb to Tyler Breeze. Reigns clotheslines Stardust to the floor and then he spears Breeze.
Vince looks around and he sends everyone in.
Del Rio, Sheamus, and the New Day attack Reigns. The New Day holds Reigns for Del Rio to hit a super kick. They hold Reigns for Sheamus to connect with the Brogue Kick and he connects.
Brock Lesnar�s music plays and he makes his way to the ring with Paul Heyman following close behind.
Everyone there with the McMahons think this is good news, but . . .
Brock clotheslines Kofi and Woods. Lesnar with a belly-to-belly suplex to Big E. Owens punches Lesnar and Lesnar punches back. Lesnar takes care of Del Rio. Sheamus with punches and knees to Lesnar. Brock with a clothesline to Sheamus and then he hits a German suplex on Del Rio and an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on Sheamus.
Lesnar pulls Reigns into the center of the ring and Brock gives Roman an F-5.
Brock leaves the ring and Roman looks at Brock from the mat but he smiles at Brock.
We go to credits.
