WWE RAW is live tonight with the fallout from Evolution and the Crown Jewel go-home show at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. Here’s the latest from WWE to get you ready for the show:
Advertised as the big draw is an appearance by Brock Lesnar ahead of his Universal Championship match with Braun Strowman, who has turned face one again in light of Roman Reigns vacating the title to fight Leukemia. We will also have more on Dean Ambrose’s heel turn despite winning the RAW Tag Team belts last week with Intercontinental Champ Seth Rollins, now his enemy. Nia Jax will celebrate her Evolution Battle Royal victory and prepare for her run at RAW Women’s Champ “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, who retained the belt with a win over Nikki Bella. DX and The Brothers of Destruction will further promotion for their program which has seemed like its a bit too late in the careers for all involved. Meanwhile, we will also see the character evolution of Elias, who also turned face last week as he assaulted Acting RAW GM Baron Corbin.
RAW Opening Segment
The show kicks off with a video recapping last week’s announcement by Roman Reigns that he’s vacating his Universal Championship and stepping away from the WWE to battle leukemia. Reigns left to a “Thank You, Roman” chant from the fans and bumped fists with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins at the top of the ramp as the video fades out.
We fade in to Acting RAW GM Baron Corbin in the ring with Universal Championship belt on his shoulder. Corbin admits last week was one of the most emotional nights of his WWE career. However, that was last week, and life goes on. Corbin wishes Reigns the best and gives a smug look in saying he hopes Reigns doesn’t come back to RAW. Corbin likes holding the title. Reigns made his job as GM difficult.
Cue The Beast. Brock Lesnar stomps to the ring with Paul Heyman at his side, receiving a big pop from the crowd. Corbin tries to get the crowd to laud Lesnar more, but Heyman cuts it off. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman, and I am the advocate for the beast, the conqueror Brock Lesnar.” Lesnar is just staring at Corbin. Heyman says we live in historic times. Four days from now, history will be made once again when his client, Brock Lesnar, takes that Universal title back home and places it over his beastly shoulders. To do that, Brock has to beat Braun Strowman. Here’s a heads up: this Friday at WWE Crown Jewel, Brock will beat Braun. That’s not a prediction: it’s a spoiler. It’s a guarantee. It’s almost like the victory is predetermined. Heyman says this Friday, a career of milestone achievements will come to a head when Lesnar gives Strowman an F5 and once again becomes the Universal Champion.
Braun Strowman’s music hits, and he comes out to a good reception. Strowman gets in the ring and stares at Lesnar. Strowman says at Crown Jewel, he will become the new Universal Champion because Lesnar is going to get these hands. Corbin stands between them and puts his hand on Strowman. Strowman shoves him, so Corbin attacks. Strowman shrugs it off and hits Corbin with a Powerslam. Strowman stares at Lesnar, who is smiling. Strowman picks Corbin up and gives him another Powerslam while Lesnar picks up the Universal Championship and holds it. The crowd chants, “One more time,” and Strowman obliges while Lesnar smiles. Strowman hits Corbin with a third Powerslam. Lesnar then comes up from behind and hits Strowman with an F5. Lesnar holds up the Universal Championship before throwing it down on Strowman. Lesnar and Heyman walk off while Strowman angrily gets to his feet.
Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley with Lio Rush
Lio Rush says some people call Finn Balor an ordinary man who can do extraordinary things. Lio says he thinks you are a not so extraordinary guy who got lucky last week. You did not deserve that win. It was a fluke. He talks about how Finn comes out in a black leather jacket with a false sense of confidence. Lio says the big man is going to beat him tonight.
As the match kicks off, Lashley with a double leg into the turnbuckles and then Lashley runs Finn into the turnbuckles again and follows with shoulders and a side slam. Lashley with elbows to the neck and he applies a nerve hold. Lashley with an elbow to the neck and he picks up Balor for a power slam but Balor escapes and he drop kicks Lashley to the floor. Balor with a plancha onto Lashley and we go to commercial.
We are back and Lashley is punching Balor in the ropes. Lashley with an elbow to the neck and Lashley returns to the nerve hold. Lashley with a waist lock slam and Lashley continues to work on the back. Lashley returns to the nerve hold. Balor gets to his feet but Lashley with a knee and forearm. Lashley with an elbow in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Balor gets his boots up and hits a running forearm. Balor with another flying forearm and he goes for a double leg take down but Lashley goes for a power bomb. Balor counters into a back body drop and double stomp.
Balor with a running chop into the corner.
Lashley with an Irish whip and Lashley catches Balor when Finn goes for a float over. Lashley with a Dominator and he adjusts his headband and that allows Finn to kick out. Lio tells Lashley to stick to the plan. Lashley sets for a delayed vertical suplex but Balor gets to his feet and he hits Slingblade. Balor with a running drop kick that sends Lashley into the corner. Rush distracts Balor and Rush pushes Balor off the turnbuckles. Lashley runs into an enzuigiri and Rush pushes Balor off the turnbuckles.
The referee calls for the bell.
Winner By Disqualification: Finn Balor
After the match, Lashley picks up Balor and sends him into the apron and ringside barrier. Lashley brings Balor into the ring and he applies a full nelson.
Rush slaps Balor while he is in the full nelson. Lashley holds Balor for Rush to slap him.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley are in the back and they go into the training room to talk to Baron Corbin.
Baron says what he did to Finn Balor was impressive. It is about time that Finn got his. Lashley says last week was a fluke. Finn is good, but he is nowhere near Lashley’s level.
Baron says that Lashley is in the World Cup. Bobby asks who is he replacing. Baron says that Lashley is replacing John Cena.
We take a look at photos of the Raw Championship match from Evolution.
We will see Ronda Rousey against Becky Lynch at Survivor Series, in a battle of the brand’s champions.
We see footage from after Evolution when Becky Lynch interrupted a Ronda Rousey interview. They both call each other champ a lot of times. Becky says she will be seeing Ronda soon and leaves.
Sasha Banks, Bayley, Lita, Trish Stratus & Natalya vs. Riott Squad, Mickie James & Alicia Fox with Alexa Bliss
Sarah Logan and Stratus start things off and they lock up. Trish with a snap mare and a flying mare to Logan. Ruby blocks Stratusfaction but Trish with a head scissors take down to Logan and Ruby. Sarah backs up and tags in Liv. Trish with a Thesz Press and punches. Trish with an Irish whip and Lita tags in and hits a clothesline off Trish’s back.
Lita with a head scissors and kick. Lita with a DDT to Liv and Lita goes up top but Sarah and Ruby pull Liv to safety. Bayley and Sasha with baseball slides to Sarah and Ruby followed by cross bodies off the apron onto Alicia and Mickie as we go to commercial.
We are back and Bayley with an arm bar on Fox. Sasha tags in and they send Alicia into the turnbuckles. Trish tags in and they hit a double back elbow on Alicia and hit a double elbow drop. Trish gets a near fall. Sasha tags in and rolls up Alicia for a near fall. Sasha with a snap mare and Mickie grabs Sasha’s leg to allow Fox to recover and hit a thrust kick. Alicia gets a near fall. Mickie tags in and applies a sleeper on Sasha. Mickie with a knee to the midsection and Irish whips Sasha. Sasha floats over and Mickie stops Sasha and blows a kiss to Sasha’s team.
Mickie sends Sasha into the turnbuckles and Logan tags in.Sasha with an inside cradle for a near fall but Logan with a drop kick for a near fall. Logan with a cobra clutch and back breaker as she takes Sasha to the mat. Sasha escapes but Sarah keeps Sasha from making the tag. Sarah sends Sasha into the turnbuckles and tags in Ruby. Ruby with kicks and then Alicia and Mickie choke Sasha while Ruby distracts the referee. Sasha tries to get to her corner but Ruby stops Sasha and gives Lita a forearm. Ruby mocks Sasha but misses a splash into the corner.
Fox tags in and she gets a near fall with a rollup. Alicia is sent into Sasha’s corner and knocks everyone but Natalya off the apron.
Natalya tags in and Natalya with a clothesline and slingshot atomic drop. Natalya with a drop kick and discus clothesline for a near fall.
Trish takes care of Logan. Trish with a handstandcanrana to Mickie. Sasha with Meteora to Mickie. Ruby and Liv attack Sasha and Trish. Lita and Bayley with Twists of Fate to Liv and Ruby. Bayley goes up top and hits an elbow drop on Ruby while LIta hits a moonsault on Liv. Alicia is held up by Lita for a Hart Attack and a near fall.
Natalya applies the Sharpshooter and Alicia taps out.
Winners: Sasha Banks, Bayley, Lita, Trish Stratus & Natalya
We see photos of the Battle Royal from Evolution that was won by Nia Jax.
Backstage with Jax
Nia Jax is in the interview area. Nia is asked about her title match and when she will challenge Ronda Rousey. Nia says that she will wait until after Ronda defeats Becky Lynch. It is mentioned that Nia eliminated four people but the person who eliminated five people is brought in. Ember Moon talks about catching lightning in a bottle. Nia interrupts and points out that she won and if Ember is going to be asked any more questions than the winner of the match.
Ember thanks Nia for the guidance she was given and the respect that she gave Nia. She asks Nia to respect her and challenges Nia to a match. Nia accepts the challenge.
We see what Dean Ambrose did to Seth Rollins last week on Raw.
We have a video package for the Brothers of Destruction versus DX match on Friday.
We go to commercial.
Ladies and Gentleman, Elias
Back from commercial, Elias is indeed in the ring to sing us a song.
He plays a few bars instrumentally before launching into his usual intro and says he came into Charlotte early because Ric Flair invited him and told him he was his favorite and was so happy about what he did to Baron Corbin last week, which he asks the truck to roll the footage of for the Nature Boy to enjoy. He thought about calling Corbin out again but after what happened with Braun earlier he decided against it.
So he’s a giver, and he’s gonna come give his music right to Baron’s face. Elias drifts to the back, guitar over his shoulder. He runs into Dana Brooke backstage and refuses to play her a song before telling a man to take a cake to his dressing room and knocking on Corbin’s door. Baron says he doesn’t want to open for anybody but Elias gives him his spiel and starts playing outside the door anyway.
The song is about how Corbin had potential but he’s a coward and got left lying in the dirt and showed the world he’s just a taller, stupider version of Kurt Angle. This gets Baron to come out and the Drifter continues running his career down, saying he used to be the Lone Wolf but now he’s just Stephanie’s little… Corbin slams the door and Jinder Mahal jumps Elias from behind!
The Modern-Day Maharaja leaves him lying with a knee strike and Corbin comes back out to gloat and informs him he’s got a match, after the break.
Elias vs. Jinder Mahal
Elias throwing chops, whip across, big forearm but Mahal catches him with a back suplex and a kick to the injured ribs. Putting boots to him, the Singh Brothers running interference to help their man out, another stomp, crossface strike into a rear chinlock with a knee to the back. Into a top wristlock and then an inverted bear hug, I can hardly bear it! Full nelson in passing sets up a knee to the ribs and Jinder locks a Dragon sleeper in briefly before shifting to a cobra twist and then back to the inverted bear hug.
The Drifter fights out with right hands and gets kneed in return, whip, up and over, slingshot double stomp and he hammers Mahal in the corner until referee Darrick Moore admonishes him. Off the ropes, Jinder with a fireman’s carry, slipped out, Elias ducks a boot, hooks him up and hits the Drift Away for the victory.
Winner: Elias
We’re getting a feature on Kurt Angle when we return from the commercial break.
Angle Is Back..It’s True, It’s True
We return from break with a video package and a pre-taped promo from Kurt Angle. Angle says he’s heard the naysayers talking about him winning the WWE World Cup. Was he out of his mind when he won the King of the Ring in 2000 or the WWE Title in his rookie year? Was he out of his mind when he won the Olympic Gold Medal with a broken freakin’ neck? Maybe. No matter what, if he wins on Friday that’ll be one of the greatest accomplishments of his life. Angle warns Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, and Dolph Ziggler that he’s coming.
Triple Threat Tag Match
The Ascension vs. Gable & Roode vs. AOP
We get entrances for a triple threat tag and the Ascension, Roode, and Gable blindside the Authors of pain and put them into the steps and post before getting in each other’s faces in the ring as referee John Cone struggles to restore order and we go to break.
Gable in on an Author, jawbreaker, tag from Konnor and he charges at Chad but gets sidestepped. Viktor yanks Roode off the apron and Konnor hits a spinning spinebuster! Akam in, big men jawing but Gable recovers and clears them both with a single dropkick! Tag to Viktor, going for a back suplex, lands on his feet, blind tag. Roode and Gable hit a Chaos Theory/Neckbreaker on Viktor for the victory.
Winner: Gable & Roode
After the match, the AOP attack. They hit a Powerbomb/Neckbreaker on Viktor, and then nail Gable & Roode with a Super Collider.
Commentary recaps Roman Reigns’ announcement and talks about him visiting a children’s cancer ward last month, and we get a video package from the kids wishing Reigns well.
As Michael Cole goes to continue, the crowd pipes up with a “Roman!” chant. Soon after, we get a recap of Dean Ambrose’s heel turn on Seth Rollins and commentary promises appearances by the warring former Shield Brothers after the break.
Dean Ambrose-Seth Rollins Segment
Out comes WWE Intercontinental & RAW Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins. He is not carrying the tag team belt.
Rollins says this has been a week with a rollercoaster full of emotions. He thanks everyone for the support they have sent to Roman Reigns this week, calling it beautiful. A “thank you Roman” chant starts up. Rollins says the positivity makes him smile, it makes him happy. What also makes him happy is the fact that he became RAW Tag Team Champion again last week but he’s sad that he’s not out here celebrating with his friend and partner Dean Ambrose.
Fans boo Ambrose’s name. Rollins says that’s not possible because Ambrose turned his back on The Shield, on everyone. Rollins says maybe what he did four years ago caused Ambrose to finally lash out. Rollins is frustrated and confused. He says the only person that has the answers is Ambrose, but Ambrose is the kind of guy who won’t be found if he doesn’t want to be.
Rollins says he didn’t try to contact Dean because he knew he would be at RAW tonight. Rollins says, as a friend and brother, he is calling out Ambrose to explain himself. Though Ambrose’s music hits, he isn’t at the top of the ramp when Rollins looks. Ambrose finally makes his appearance in the crowd, like the old school Shield entrance. The Intercontinental Champ calls for Ambrose to make his way to the ring to give him answers like a man. Rollins said at least he looked Ambrose in the eye and told him his reasons for stabbing him in the back when he did. Rollins gets upset and tells Ambrose to face up to him like a man.
Ambrose, who does not have a tag team belt either, looks to take the mic from the steps in the crowd but he changes his mind to some boos. A “you sold out” chant starts up. Rollins says Ambrose really is a cold-hearted bastard. Rollins says Ambrose spat on The Shield during their emotional night. Somehow, some way, Ambrose made it all about him on the night Reigns went to battle leukemia. Rollins goes on and says he is fixed on Ambrose for as long as he lives and he will make Ambrose’s life a living hell. Rollins says maybe it wasn’t a nickname, maybe Ambrose really is a soul-less lunatic. Ambrose looks to take the mic again but doesn’t. Rollins says Ambrose can stay up there because he’s coming up to beat him within an inch of his life. Rollins leaves the ring but Ambrose walks away. Rollins watches from ringside and fumes. Rollins returns to the ring and grabs his title as his music hits.
Backstage with Bobby Lashley
Charly Caruso is backstage with Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush, asking about his spot in the World Cup and what it would mean to be the best in the world with a tournament win. Rush praises Lashley and mentions how he’s a former MMA champion. Rush says Seth Rollins doesn’t stand a chance against Lashley, especially in the state of mind we just saw him in. Rush goes on about how Lashley is money and says Lashley will prove that he is the best in the world. They walk off.
The announcers take another look at the World Cup brackets and hype Crown Jewel on the WWE Network. Cole leads us to a video package for DX vs. The Brothers of Destruction. Both teams will be here tonight.
Nia Jax vs. Ember Moon
We go to the ring and out comes Nia Jax. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Jax waits in the ring as Ember Moon makes her way out. The bell rings and Moon nails a dropkick to start. Moon looks to mount more offense and sends Jax into the corner. Moon goes to the top but Jax cuts her off with a forearm to the jaw. Jax places Moon on her shoulders but Moon slides out. Moon fights back but Jax levels her. Jax keeps control and drops an elbow in the middle of the ring. Jax with a 2 count. Jax with a big lariat before keeping Moon locked in a bear hug.
Jax ends up running into the ring post after Moon moves out of the way. Moon climbs to the second turnbuckle and leaps out to the floor, taking Jax back down. The referee counts as they are both down on the outside. They return to the ring but the music interrupts and out comes Tamina Snuka.
Jax and Moon stare her down. Jax takes advantage and drops Moon. Jax nails the leg drop and covers Moon for the pin.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Jax and Snuka stare each other down . Snuka steps up on the apron but jumps back down as Jax’s music hits. The staredown continues.
The announcers hype Crown Jewel again and go over the card.
Still to come, the RAW debut of The Lucha House Party. We go to commercial.
Click Here: Putters
The Lucha House Party vs. The Revival
Back from the break and here is The Lucha House Party for their RAW debut – Kalisto and Gran Metalik with Lince Dorado. The Revival, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, wait in the ring. Dash starts off with Kalisto and starts beating on him.
Kalisto turns it around and dropkicks Dawson as he runs in. Dorado tags in and helps unload. They take The Revival down on the floor at the same time. They return to the ring and do the “lucha!” chant now. Dash comes back in and turns it around on Kalisto. Dawson tags in and keeps the attack going on Kalisto. Dawson with a snap suplex before keeping Kalisto grounded. Kalisto ends up fighting off both opponents. Dawson drops Dorado off the apron to prevent the tag.
Dawson floors Kalisto with a big forearm. Dawson has words with Metalik, who taunts him from the floor. Dawson turns around to a Salida del Sol from Kalisto. Dorado springboards in and takes out Dash as he charges in. Kalisto covers Dawson for the pin to win.
Winners: The Lucha House Party
After the match, the lucha stars head to the back as their music plays. We go to replays.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews
We go to the ring and out comes Dolph Ziggler with Drew McIntyre. Ziggler takes the mic to address the World Cup tournament on Friday at Crown Jewel. Ziggler says he knows he has his eye on the prize. He asks McIntyre what he’s most looking forward to on Friday. Drew says now that they have finally broken The Shield, he will be watching one match on Friday – Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Title. Ziggler knows the winner will have a Claymore Kick in his future. Ziggler brings up how WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle said he will win the World Cup. Ziggler says most people know he’s looked up to Angle for most of his life for what Angle did for collegiate wrestling and what he did in the Olympics. Fans interrupt with a USA chant. Ziggler says without guys like Kurt Angle, guys like Dolph Ziggler wouldn’t exist in WWE. Ziggler says he will cement his legacy by winning the World Cup. Ziggler goes on about how he’s the best and says he is the best in the world.
He tosses the mic and out comes his opponent, Apollo Crews. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re going at it already. Crews drops Ziggler with an enziguri. Crews with more offense and counters. Crews clotheslines Ziggler and drops him with another enziguri for a close 2 count.
Crews goes to the top but Ziggler knocks him to the mat. Ziggler rolls Crews up in the corner for a close 2 count. Ziggler argues with the referee about the count. Ziggler yells at Crews to get up and do something. Crews blocks a superkick but Ziggler blocks an enziguri. Crews overpowers and slams Ziggler. Crews presses Ziggler high in the air and holds him, then drops him to the mat. Crews with a standing moonsault for a close 2 count as McIntyre looks on.
Crews goes to the top but Ziggler runs up and grabs him. Crews shoves Ziggler back to the mat. Crews leaps out with a Frogsplash but Ziggler gets his knees up and Crews lands hard. Ziggler nails a superkick for the pin to win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, McIntyre enters the ring and disrespects Crews while he’s down. McIntyre raises Ziggler’s arm as the music plays. They leave the ring.
We see a clip from the recent cemetery video with The Brothers of Destruction taunting DX. Both teams will be here next. Back to commercial.
Brothers of Destruction – D-Generation X Segment
Back from the break and here comes The Brothers of Destruction, Kane and The Undertaker.
The lights stay low and fans chant for Taker as he takes the mic. Taker says it’s not easy to heed his call, to say goodbye, to reach the end, but when The Reaper calls – it’s your time to go, no matter how hard you fight. Kane also speaks and Taker says they will take the battered souls of DX to the fiery gates of hell for the first and last time at Crown Jewel on Friday. Taker says it won’t be a quick death, it will be slow, agonizing pain. It won’t just be the end of an era, it will be the end of DX’s error. Taker says but that is Friday. He calls DX to the ring now so they can take their souls for eternity, so they can never… Rest. In. Peace. The music hits and out comes DX.
Triple H comes out by himself and throws glowsticks to the crowd. He acts like Michaels is missing. Triple H plays like he’s going to the back to get WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. Kane is tired of waiting and he goes up the ramp. Michaels comes from behind in the ring and drops Taker with Sweet Chin Music. HBK exits the ring as Kane comes back in to stand by Taker. DX taunts them from ringside but Taker sits straight up out of nowhere. DX changes their attitudes as they look on at the ring, looking a little worried now. Taker’s music hits as he stands tall with Kane in the ring. Taker cuts his own throat and RAW goes off the air.