WWE Monday Night RAW
August 21, 2017
Brooklyn, New York
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
We immediately go live inside the Barclays Center. Paul Heyman and WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar are introduced to the live audience.
Lesnar and Heyman open RAW in Brooklyn
Lesnar hits the stage with a big smile on his face as he heads to the ring.
Photos from SummerSlam last night during the Fatal 4-Way is shown.
Brooklyn Street Fight Match
Big Cass vs. Enzo Amore
Before the match, Enzo cuts a promo on Cass about becoming friends 15 years ago in the streets of New York. He said tonight it ends between them. Enzo goes to the back and brings back out a grocery cart filled with weapons.
Cass bails from the ring and heads up the ramp as the bell rings. Cass immediately levels Enzo and then pushes the shopping cart hitting Enzo with it. Cass launches Enzo back first into the ring barricade. Back inside the ring, Cass levels Enzo with a big boot.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Enzo goes for a steel chair and Cass cuts him off. Cass with a splash to Enzo in the corner. Cass drapes Enzo over the top turnbuckle and throws big forearms. Enzo pulls down the top rope when Cass charges in with a big boot. Enzo crawls over and grabs the steel chair he tried to use earlier. Cass steps on the hand of Enzo to stop it. Cass tries to drop an elbow and his knee completely gives out. Cass looks legit hurt. A WWE medical official starts to check on Cass who is angry. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Enzo Amore
After the match, we see a replay of Big Cass going over the top rope and appearing to legit land on his knee badly. We then see the knee giving out during his elbow drop attempt. Back live, Enzo Amore celebrates his win and jumps out celebrating with a fan front row.
Backstage, Emma is sick of hearing about Sasha Banks winning the RAW Women’s Championship last night. She starts running down Nia Jax when Jax shows up behind her.
-Commercial Break-
Nia Jax vs. Emma
Emma slaps Jax right away and throws some elbows. Jax eventually levels her and drops a series of elbow drops. Jax lifts and launches Emma across the ring. Jax follows that up with a splash in the corner. Emma with a quick dropkick, but Jax shrugs it off and connects with a big samoan drop on Emma. Jax hooks the leg and gets the quick pinfall.
Winner: Nia Jax
Backstage, Elias is headed to the arena to debut a new song.
-Commercial Break-
Elias is inside the ring with his guitar in hand. He has one question for everyone in Brooklyn tonight. “Who wants to walk with Elias?” Elias was going to sing a song about Brooklyn, but everyone is ashamed to live there anyway. He has a song for R-Truth instead. Elias begins singing and he tells Brooklyn now is not the time to clap along. R-Truth interrupts.
Elias vs. R-Truth
Truth with a spinebuster early on Elias. Truth with shots to Elias. Elias catches Truth with a boot from the corner. Elias with a forearm tot he back and his spinning neckbreaker. Elias hooks the leg of Truth and gets the pinfall with his Drift Away finisher.
Winner: Elias
Kurt Angle has a big “Superstar” surprise next.
-Commercial Break-
Kurt Angle’s Superstar Surprise
RAW GM Kurt Angle comes out to a big reaction in Brooklyn. For the first time in over a year on Monday Night RAW, Angle introduces John Cena.
We get the usual mixed reaction for Cena tonight in Brooklyn as he heads to the ring. Cena grabs a mic and asks if they were expecting him? He holds up the mic as the crowd starts chanting like crazy. Cena says he saw Kurt Angle at SummerSlam and he asked if he wanted to come to Monday Night RAW. The fans boo and Cena asks if they are booing RAW? Cena said he immediately said yes and not because Smackdown Live is bad. He said for a long time he has wanted to stand in this right on Monday Night RAW and be face-to-face with certain WWE superstar. Cena looks to the stage.
Here comes Roman Reigns. Cena said he was looking exactly for Reigns. Reigns said the only time Cena is looking for him is when he runs his mouth on Twitter. He said now that Cena is in “his yard”, he wants to know if Cena is going to run his mouth to his face. Brooklyn starts a loud “UNDERTAKER” chant. Cena said it sounds like the crowd can hold quite a grudge. He adds he didn’t come here to talk. They both drop the mics. Cena takes off his shirt and is ready to fight tonight in Brooklyn. Here comes The Miz and The Miztourage.
Miz says this is what a sold out “Barcays” looks like. Cena corrects him saying it is the Barclays. Miz says everything is a joke to Cena. He mocks the first ever showdown between Reigns and Cena. Miz asks how many moments these guys should really get. Brooklyn claps for that. Miz says you are always told to chip away and work hard, but he is sick of waiting while two undeserving people like Reigns and Cena get a moment week after week. Loud “YES” chants.
Miz is wondering why Kurt Angle thinks RAW needs an addition to the roster. He is curious and asks Brooklyn is RAW needs John Cena. A loud “NO” reaction starts up. Miz points out he has 18,000 people saying no. Cena is a man of the people and is okay to leave. Miz stops Cena and isn’t done talking to him. He says this is his show and it doesn’t belong to Cena or Reigns. Miz criticizes the fans for not knowing whether to cheer or boo Cena or Reigns. He points out he is the only champion in this ring right now.
Miz talks about working hard the last 12 years and wants to know where his moment is. Cena proposes a history making moment tonight on Monday Night RAW. He proposes Miz and a partner of his choosing in The Miztourage take on Cena and Reigns. Miz says he isn’t stupid and isn’t taking that challenge right now in a three piece suit.
Here comes Samoa Joe. The Miz and The Miztourage bail. Joe has a strong opinion about this whole situation himself. He tells Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel they won’t be teaming with The Miz tonight. Joe then tells Miz he will be his tag partner tonight whether he likes it or not. Joe is sick of Reigns calling this ring his yard and adds, “one-on-one, I own you.”
Joe turns his attention to Cena. Joe with a right hand going after Cena. Joe with knees to Cena in the corner. The Miztourage and The Miz hit the ring. Reigns clears house on all three. Cena has Joe up on his shoulders. Joe has the rear naked choke applied. Reigns with a Superman to Joe sending him out. “YOU BOTH SUCK” chant at Cena and Reigns.
-Commercial Break-
Cruiserweight Division
Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari and Noam Dar vs. Gran Metalik, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali
We start with Gulak and Metalik. Metalik getst he better of Gulak. Ali and Daivari get the tag. Daivari kicks Ali in the corner. Ali with a top rope cross body on Daivari. Swann gets the tag and nearly levels Daivari with a superkick. Nese gets the tag after Dar refuses to tag himself in. Nese counts his eight abs as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
We return live as Swann is throwing right hands at Gulak. Swann kicks Gulak in the head. Brooklyn is starting a wave. Nese and Alexander get the tag. Alexander kicks Nese in the head and kicks him again in the corner from the ring apron. Alexander with a springboard clothesline and Gulak breaks up the pinfall attempt. Metalik with a top rope moonsault over Nese and Gulak on the outside. Inside the ring, Alexander with his nasty looking knees to the back of Nese. Nese literally popped up in the air. Alexander gets the pinfall.
Winners: Gran Metalik, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali
Backstage, Charly Caruso is with new WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville. He starts running down Akira Tozawa when Titus O’Neil walks up with Tozawa. Titus calls Neville a gargoyle. Tozawa wants a rematch tomorrow night on 205 Live.
The new WWE RAW Tag Team Champions are next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Kurt Angle is on his phone when Jason Jordan walks in. Angle hugs him. Jason isn’t looking for preferred treatment, but he wants a match tonight. Angle wonders if this is about what happened with Miz last night. Jordan wants a match with Finn Balor. Angle wonders if Jordan is ready for that level, but books the match anyway.
Ambrose and Rollins address Brooklyn
The new WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins head to the ring.
Rollins said it is great to be standing here in the ring with Ambrose and holding up the RAW Tag Team Championships. Loud “YES” chant from Brooklyn. Ambrose says it feels good and even slept with the title under his pillow last night. Rollins wasn’t sure this would ever happen again, but these people believed. They are ready for challengers.
Here comes The Hardy Boyz. Matt grabs a mic as a loud “DELETE” chant breaks out. He lets out a “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS” smiling at Ambrose and Rollins. Jeff wants to say congratulations for winning the titles last night. Matt says it’s beautiful when brothers fight and even more so when they get back together. Matt challenges them to a match.
Rollins asks if they are serious. “We grew up idolizing you guys,” adds Rollins. Matt says the fans chant for a reason and they want to revolutionize the tag division in Brooklyn. Rollins agrees and Matt calls for a referee to come out here right now.
-Commercial Break-
Non-Title Match
WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins vs. The Hardy Boyz
We are back live after The Hardy’s double team Ambrose. Tag to Rollins. Ambrose and Rollins with a pair of dropkicks on Jeff. The Hardy’s double team Rollins dropping him on the back of his head. Tag to Matt who brings down Rollins in a side headlock. Rollins drops Matt face first into the second turnbuckle, tags in Ambrose and Ambrose hits a sliding clothesline. Rollins follows it up with a jumping knee. Jeff tags himself in and dropkicks Rollins. Matt avoids Dirty Deeds. All four men back off and stare each other down. Big brawl breaks out. Matt kicks Ambrose to the outside. Jeff with a jawbreaker and clothesline to Rollins on the outside. Jeff dives and takes out Rollins.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Ambrose and Matt get the tags. Ambrose with shots that drop Matt. Ambrose with a quick clothesline and elbow to Matt in the corner. Ambrose dumps Matt over the top rope. Matt moves when Ambrose launches over. Matt sends Rollins over the top rope, tags in Jeff and Jeff jumps off the back of Matt diving on Ambrose and Rollins. Back inside, Jeff splashes Ambrose in the corner. Rollins pulls Ambrose away when Jeff attempts Whisper in the Wind from the top rope. Rollins gets the tag and drops an elbow over Jeff. Ambrose gets the tag and keeps Jeff grounded with a submission. Tag to Rollins. Rollins is sent into Jeff in the corner two times and Rollins goes to a headlock. Jeff connects with Whisper in the Wind on both Ambrose and Rollins. Matt gets the hot tag and knocks Rollins off the turnbuckle pads repeatedly. Matt with his running bulldog on Rollins. Matt with an elbow to Rollins from the second rope. Ambrose tags himself in. Elevated sling blade on Matt. Jeff breaks it up. Matt gets dumped out. Ambrose dropkicks Jeff out. Ambrose and Rollins with a double suicide dive to Matt and Jeff. Matt drops Rollins over the ring apron. Matt with his Side Effect on Ambrose. Ambrose kicks out. Ambrose cuts off a moonsault attempt by Matt. Jeff tags himself in. Matt with a Twist of Fate on Ambrose. Rollins kicks Matt. Jeff dumps Rollins out. Jeff goes up top. Swanton Bomb, but Ambrose gets knees up. Rollins with a high knee to Jeff. Dirty Deeds on Jeff. Ambrose gets the pinfall.
Winners: Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins
After the match, we see Sheamus and Cesaro watching backstage.
WWE confirms Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Championship at No Mercy in five weeks on September 24.
Backstage, Samoa Joe tells The Miz to shut up when he talks strategy tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Sasha Banks celebrates her title win
Banks grabs a mic and says she might be from Boston, but she has left her heart here in Brooklyn. She brings up matches with Bayley and Charlotte. Banks sends well wishes to Ric Flair adding, “The world needs the Nature Boy.” She says the world doesn’t need a goddess and that there is only one legit boss. Banks holds up her title.
Here comes Alexa Bliss. Bliss brings up how Banks has yet to successfully defend the RAW Women’s Championship. Banks says any time she has wrestled Bliss, she either runs away or taps out. She suggests Bliss cash in her rematch clause tonight. Bliss declines the offer and says none of these Brooklyn fan boys deserve a Bliss championship celebration.
She adds she isn’t in the mood to break Sasha’s heart tonight. Bliss announces she does want her rematch for the championship next week.
-Commercial Break-
Finn Balor vs. Jason Jordan
Jordan with a pinfall attempt early on Balor. Jordan with a quick takedown on Balor leading into a fireman’s carry keeping Balor grounded. Balor catches Jordan with a quick dropkick. Jordan lifts Balor up and slams him down hard on the mat. Balor clotheslines Jordan to the outside. Balor goes for a kick on the ring apron and Jordan moves out of the way.
-Commercial Break-
Jordan with more takedowns on Balor. Series of counters with Balor pulling off another dropkick to Jordan. Brooklyn crowd is distracted a bit. Balor dumps Jordan out of the ring and connects with a dropkick through the ropes. Balor connects with his kick to the face on Jordan off the ring apron. Jordan with an overhead suplex on Balor. Jordan with a spear to Balor in the corner. Balor counters another suplex attempt into a cross body for a two count. Balor with an overhead kick to Jordan. Both men are down. Balor with a sling blade on Jordan. Balor with his jumping dropkick sending Jordan to the corner. Balor is going up top and connects with Coup de Grace on Jordan to get the pinfall victory.
Winner: Finn Balor
-Commercial Break-
We are reminded that Sasha Banks will defend the WWE RAW Women’s Championship against Alexa Bliss next week in Memphis.
Neville defends the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa tomorrow night on 205 Live on the WWE Network.
Main event time.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena and Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe and WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz
We are live as Cena connects with a running bulldog on Miz. Miz quickly tags in Joe. Brooklyn has a beach ball in the crowd again. A member of security takes it away as Joe chops away at Cena and follows it with right hands in the corner. Tag to Miz who gets in some kicks to Cena. Miz with a left hand and kick to the face of Cena. Brooklyn is starting another wave as Cena levels Miz with a clothesline. Miz with a big DDT on Cena. Joe with the tag and he continues to work over Cena. Joe isn’t feeling the crowd and tags Miz back in. Tag to Reigns who drops Joe with a big clothesline and a shot to Miz. Reigns with repeated clotheslines to Joe in the corner. Reigns with a big boot to Joe. Joe counters a Superman attempt with a Rock Bottom for a two count. Bo Dallas with a cheap shot on Reigns on the outside. Miz gets the tag and connects with front kicks to Reigns. Reigns with a big lifting powerbomb on Miz. Tag to Joe who cuts off Reigns. Joe lands a big kick to Reigns in the corner. Brooklyn is completely deflated after trying to be the center of attention the last three hours. Reigns with a drive by to Axel and Superman to Dallas. HOt tag to Cena. Cena with shoulder blocks on Miz and his twisting powerbomb. Joe is in to cut off the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Joe has the rear naked choke on Cena. Reigns goes for a Superman, but hits Cena by accident. Joe knocks Reigns out. Joe with a dive to Reigns on the outside. Cena with an AA on Miz to get the pinfall.
Winners: John Cena and Roman Reigns
After the match, John Cena stares down Roman Reigns holding his jaw.
Quick Match Results:
* Enzo Amore def. Big Cass in a Brooklyn Street Fight
* Nia Jax def. Emma
* Elias def. R-Truth
* Gran Metalik, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali def. Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari and Noam Dar
* WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins def. The Hardy Boyz in a non-title tag team match
* Finn Balor def. Jason Jordan
* John Cena and Roman Reigns def. Samoa Joe and The Miz