Follow along with the Starman as he recaps the final Raw before Extreme Rules live from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
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Becky Lynch’s music hits as we head right into the first match of the night.
Match 1: Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins vs. Andrade and Zelina Vega (Mixed Tag Team Elimination Match)
The bell rings and Becky starts off tossing Zelina around the ring and taking the early advantage until Zelina connects with a kick to the head and picks up a near fall. Becky comes back with a suplex but Zelina makes the tag to Andrade and Becky gets right in his face. Rollins has to come in and the two lock up and go back and forth with a series of counters and reversals. Rollins then connects with a slingblade and clotheslines Andrade out to the floor. Rollins dives out to the floor to take him out as Becky locks Zelina in the Disarmer and makes her tap out. Zelina has been eliminated from the match and Lacey Evans is seen watching the match from the ringside area. Becky goes out to the crowd and begins throwing punches until Rollins runs out and pulls Becky away and we head into a commercial break.
The match continues with Becky hanging out on the apron even though she isn’t eligible to come back into the match. Andrade picks up a near fall over Rollins after hitting a double foot stomp off the top rope and continues on the attack. Rollins is able to come back and connect with a knee to the side of the head of Andrade and tries to go to the top rope, but Andrade sends him crashing to the floor. Zelina begins to attack Rollins on the floor and Becky comes in to make the rescue. Andrade then inadvertently strikes Becky and then sends Rollins into the guard railing. Andrade then connects with a knee strike in the corner for another near fall. Rollins is able to make a comeback and connects with a curb stomp to pick up the pin fall.
After the match, Baron Corbin comes out and attacks Rollins from behind. Lacey Evans then comes back and knocks Becky out with a Woman’s Right before heading to the back. Paul Heyman then walks out towards the ring as we head into a commercial break.
Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans are backstage and they wonder what the two love birds will do when they lose the titles on Sunday and call themselves the new power couple.
Paul Heyman is in the ring and wants to get right down to business. He says there is an event on Sunday called Extreme Rules, which is taking place in Philadelphia. He says he knows a lot about being extreme in Philadelphia and promises that his client, Brock Lesnar, will cash in the Money in the Bank contract against either Kofi Kingston or Seth Rollins. Heyman continues to say that he hasn’t violated a spoiler since WrestleMania 30, so may be this is the time for him to lie. He says only he and the Beast knows what will happen and leaves the ring.
Footage of the Falls Count Anywhere match between Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley is aired. A video of Bobby Lashley is aired where he says the next time he sees Strowman, he will be sending him to the morgue. These two will face off on Sunday in a Last Man Standing match. The Miz then comes out for the next match as we head into a commercial break.
Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre run into a garbage man backstage and asks him if he wants to be Roman Reigns tag team partner later in the night. McMahon thinks it’s a great idea and says he will get him later on in the night. Roman Reigns will take on McMahon and McIntyre later on with a partner of Shane McMahon’s choosing.
Match 2: The Miz and the Usos vs. Elias and the Revival (2 out of 3 Falls Six Man Tag Team Match
Scott Dawson and Jimmy Uso go back and forth until Dawson connects with a hard elbow. Elias is tagged in and continues on the attack and powers him around before tagging in Dash Wilder. Elias and Miz get into a brawl in the ringside area and Elias begins running up the ramp. The Miz and Jay Uso head after him as the Revival hits Shatter Machine on Jimmy to pick up the first fall as we head into a commercial break.
We return to the match the Revival work together (without Elias) to wear down and isolate Jimmy Uso to their side of the ring. Jimmy is able to fight back and makes the hot tag to Jay Uso who comes in and takes Wilder down with a kick to the face. Dawson makes the blind tag and takes Jay Uso down with a brainbuster for a near fall. Dawson goes for another but Uso counters and tags in the Miz, who hits the Skull Crushing Finale to pick up the second fall.
Jimmy then makes the blind tag as the Usos take out both Wilder and Dawson with superkicks. Jimmy then hits a splash from the top rope to pick up the pin and win the match.
The announce team then hype a Beat the Clock challenge between Bayley and Nikki Cross where the winner of the shortest match will get to set the stipulation for the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship match at Extreme Rules.
We then see footage of Drake Maverick winning the 24/7 Championship last week. Drake brings his new wife to Orlando, the city they live in, and head to the theme parks, where Maverick’s wife keeps on getting covered up by the title in photos. They then head to Newark for tonight’s Raw where Maverick promises to show her how good of a husband and a champion he can be. She says if that happens they will consummate their marriage and Maverick cheers in joy. This brings out the parade of mid-carders to chase Maverick away as we head into a commercial break.
Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre are backstage talking to a beer vendor about being a possible partner for Roman Reigns tonight.
Rey Mysterio is in the ring and talks how hard it was to give up the US Championship and how he beat the doctors predictions and is ready to compete once again. Mysterio then issues an open challenge to anyone in the back and it is answered by Bobby Lashley.
Match 3: Rey Mysterio vs. Bobby Lashley
Mysterio goes right on the attack and tries to wear Lashley down with his quickness. Mysterio hits a series of kicks and strikes before taking Lashley down with a tornado DDT and a 619. Lashely quickly recovers and slams Mysterio down and levels him with a spear to pick up the pin fall.
After the match, Lashley tosses Mysterio out to the floor and drags him up the entrance ramp. Lashley begins staring at the LED board that he went through last week and lifts Mysterio up but the referees come out to stop him. Lashley then tosses Mysterio onto the referees and grabs a microphone. Lashley says he was the only man standing last week and he will be the only one standing this Sunday. More referees and trainers come out to check on the carnage as we head into a commercial break.
The Club is walking backstage as Charly Caruso stops them and asks AJ Styles why he attacked Ricochet last week. Styles says he doesn’t owe her or anyone an explanation and walks away. No Way Jose is in the ring as footage of Cesaro brutally attacking him before their match last week is aired. That match will take place again right now.
Match 4: No Way Jose vs. Cesaro
Cesaro chases the congo line away from the ringside area as Jose attacks Cesaro on the floor. The fight makes it to the ring as the bell rings and Cesaro levels Jose with a European uppercut. Cesaro follows with a gutwrench suplex and the Cesaro Swing and into a Sharpshooter. Jose taps out and Cesaro wins this quick match by submission.
The Street Profits are backstage and hype Extreme Rules match with Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre going up against Roman Reigns and the Undertaker. They then wonder if Reigns will make it to Extreme Rules after McMahon picks his partner. The announce team hype the Beat the Clock Challenge as we head into a commercial break.
Footage of the mixed tag team match from last week where Maria Kanellis announced that she was pregnant and emasculated her husband is aired. Mike Kanellis meets up with her backstage with a bouquet of flowers and apologizes to her for what happened last week. Maria says she loves him, along with ice cream and pickles. Mike runs off to fetch her request as Maria wonders what type of man would tap out to a woman.
The announce team are talking with Bayley and Nikki Cross in a split screen interview about tonight’s match, where the winner will be allowed to pick the stipulation. Nikki is fighting for Alexa Bliss and says the whole world is on her shoulders tonight. Bayley tries to explain to Nikki that Alexa is just using her. Michael Cole steps in and explains the rules for the Beat the Clock Challenge and says Bayley will take on Sarah Logan while Nikki will go up against Dana Brook. Bayley hopes Sarah Logan brings her best while Nikki thinks Dana Brook is stronger than her, but she is not as tough as her and she will do anything for Alexa.
The Viking Raiders are seen backstage as we head into a commercial break.
R-Truth and Carmella are backstage searing through crates and garbage cans to find Drake Maverick. R-Truth says he needs his baby back and wonders if Maverick is feeding her and taking care of her. Maverick then runs by them along with a trail of wrestlers as Carmella hops on Truth’s back and he heads in the opposite direction.
Match 5: Viking Raiders vs. Colin Justin and Devin Justin
The match starts and the Viking Raiders power around their competition but refuse to make a complete pin fall. They then hit the Viking Experience and pick up the pin fall.
After the match, Drake Maverick and the parade come to the ring. The Viking Raiders clear out anyone who tries to come into the ring as Drake Maverick is able to escape. Ricochet is then seen walking backstage and he will be taking on Luke Gallows next as we head into a commercial break.
Charly Caruso is in the locker room with Roman Reigns who says he doesn’t know who his partner is tonight, but he does know who it is on Sunday and that his team is the only one playing mind games.
Ricochet then comes out to the ring and grabs a microphone. Ricochet says he looked up to AJ Styles and he got a win over him, but Styles, Gallows and Anderson had to ruin the celebration. He knows he won’t be facing Gallows alone tonight and says he knows in the end he will have to face all three. He is then interrupted by Styles’ music as the Luke Gallows comes out along with AJ Styles and Karl Anderson. Styles grabs a microphone and tells Ricochet to slow down and appreciate the moment before Gallows stomps a mudhole in him. We are then treated to a video package of what went down last week prior to the match.
Match 6: Ricochet vs. Luke Gallows
The bell rings and Gallows quickly catches Ricochet and chokeslams him for a near fall. Gallows follows with a big boot and continues powering Richchet around the ring. Gallows then turns Ricochet inside out with a clothesline but he takes too much time. Ricochet then counters Gallows and rolls him up for a surprising pin fall to win the match.
AJ Styles then gets on the apron and wonders if Ricochet wants to really go through all three of them and asks Ricochet if he wants to take on Karl Anderson as we head into a commercial break.
Match 7: Ricochet vs. Karl Anderson
The match starts and Styles causes a distraction that allows Anderson to gain the advantage. Anderson picks up a near fall before slowing things down with a headlock and then with a spinebuster for another near fall. Ricochet then fights back and takes out Styles and Gallows on the floor with a dive over the top rope. Back in the ring, Ricochet connects with a dropkick and follows with a 630 for the pin fall.
After the match, AJ Styles and Luke Gallows run into the ring and attack Ricochet. Styles takes Ricochet down with a brainbuster and Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer. Styles then looks to hit the Styles Clash from the middle rope once more, but decides to toss Ricochet to the mat. Styles grabs a microphone and tells Ricochet to stay down and that he doesn’t want any excuses on Sunday when they meet for the US Championship. The Club then leaves the ring as Ricochet grabs the ropes to get to his feet. Gallows and Anderson then run into the ring and hold him as Styles takes him down with a Phenomenal Forearm.
A video package for the Evolve Pro Wrestling 10th Anniversary special airing on this Saturday on the WWE Network is aired. The announce team hypes that event as well as Extreme Rules as they run down the card. Drake Maverick meets up with his wife and says he survived the night as the 24/7 Champion. R-Truth then comes out of a crate with a referee and chases Maverick down along with Carmella. Bayley is then seen walking backstage who will be wrestling next. Meanwhile, Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre see a janitor walking slowly down the hall. They follow into a room as we head into a commercial break.
Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre are talking with Gary the Janitor and offer him $5000 to be Roman Reigns’ partner tonight. Gary says he doesn’t know how to wrestle but McMahon says he just needs to stand in the corner. They also tell him that they will give him a mask as they walk out of the locker room.
Match 8: Bayley vs. Sarah Logan (Beat the Clock Challenge)
The bell rings and Bayley tries to pick up some quick pin attempts but Logan won’t stay down. Logan then nails Bayley with a headbutt and sends her out to the floor. Logan drags Bayley back into the ring and goes for some pin attempts of her own but Bayley kicks out. Logan then locks in a cloverleaf but Bayley makes it to the ropes as the crowd begins a “CM Punk!” chant. Bayley begins fighting back after 4 minutes have elapsed and drives Logan into the turnbuckle with a Sunset Bomb to pick up the pin fall at 4:32.
Nikki Cross then comes out for her match and has to win her match against Dana Brook in less than 4:32 to be able to pick the stipulation for Alexa Bliss’ match against Bayley at Extreme Rules. That match will come up after the commercial break.
Match 9: Nikki Cross vs. Dana Brook (Beat the Clock Challenge)
The bell rings and Dana Brook leaves the ring and hangs out in the ringside area. Nikki chases after her and gets her into the ring, but Dana tosses her to the floor. Bayley, sitting ringside, and Nikki share a glance as Nikki goes back into the ring and on the attack. Dana and Nikki goes back and forth for a minute until Nikki hits a neckbreaker and defeats Dana Brook with 1:50 left on the clock.
Nikki Cross grabs a microphone and tells Bayley to get in the ring as she has something to say to her face. Nikki says Bayley has been trying to convince her that Alexa Bliss is not her friend, however, Nikki is going to show what friendship really is when she has to face both Alexa and her in a two on one handicap match at Extreme Rules. Nikki then tells Bayley to find a friend to slap some sense into her and Bayley slaps Nikki before taking her down with a Bayley to Belly. Bayley then hits a flying elbow and celebrates with the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Corey Graves is heading to the back for an interview with Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch as we head into a commercial break.
Mike Kanellis has returned with ice cream and pickles but Maria doesn’t want them since they will make her fat. She then tells him that he will never impregnate her again and he might not have been the one who impregnated her this time. Maria then tosses her flowers at him as he runs off.
Footage of Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans attacking Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch earlier in the night is aired. Corey Graves is backstage with them and wonders if their personal feelings for each other will be their downfall at Extreme Rules. Becky says they will defeat Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans and they won’t ever get another chance at the titles. Rollins seconds what she says and walks away.
Footage of Kofi Kingston taking down Samoa Joe last week on Smackdown is aired. The Street Profits are backstage to hype Extreme Rules some more as they think Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins will win. Meanwhile, Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre are seen walking backstage as their match will be coming up next.
With Roman Reigns standing in the ring, Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre come out and say that Reigns has no respect for authority or anyone. McIntyre promises to beat respect into him on Sunday. McMahon then introduces Reigns’ partner, a three time spelling bee champion, Gary “the Goat” Garbutt. A much shorter man comes out limping to the ring in a luchadore mask as we head into a commercial break.
Match 10: Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre vs. Romain Reigns and Gary Garbutt
The bell rings as Reigns and McIntyre go at it with strikes until McIntyre connects with a headbutt and sends Reigns out to the floor. The referee says a blind tag was made as McIntyre pulls Garbutt in the hard way. McMahon tags in and Garbutt begins taking down both McMahon and McIntyre with a flurry of offense and even leaps over the top rope. McIntyre finally puts an end to it with a Claymore kick and picks up the pin fall.
After the match, Reigns clears the ring and takes off Garbutt’s mask to show that it was Cedric Alexander. The two share a laugh in the ring and stare down McMahon and McIntyre as Raw comes to a close.
Quick Results
– Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins defeated Andrade and Zelina Vega in a mixed tag team elimination match.
– The Miz and the Usos defeated Elias and the Revival in a 2 out of 3 falls match.
– Bobby Lashley defeated Rey Mysterio by pin fall.
– Cesaro defeated No Way Jose by submission.
– Viking Raiders defeated Colin Justin and Devin Justin by pin fall.
– Ricochet defeated Luke Gallows by pin fall.
– Ricochet defeated Karl Anderson by pin fall.
– Bayley defeated Sarah Logan by pin fall in a Beat the Clock Challenge in 4:32.
– Nikki Cross defeated Dana Brook by pin fall in a Beat the Clock Challenge with 1:50 left on the clock.
– Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre defeated Roman Reigns and Gary Garbutt (Cedric Alexander) by pin fall.
Starman’s Thoughts
This was a pretty lackluster final Raw push to sell fans on Extreme Rules on Sunday. I’m going to need a little more than Paul Heyman saying Brock Lesnar may appear and the Street Profits yelling at me about Extreme Rules to gain some enthusiasm for this show. An appearance from Braun Strowman would have helped. Even just a gong from the Undertaker’s music could have done a lot more than having a masked janitor, who everyone could see from a mile away, wasn’t going to be wrestling in the match.
That was just one of the terrible booking decisions that didn’t make sense. Why hype the return of Rey Mysterio only to have him lose in a squash match to Bobby Lashley in about a minute? For that matter, why is Cesaro defeating No Way Jose and the Viking Raiders defeating a pair of jobbers on the go home show? And with the mixed tag team elimination match, what would have happened if Andrade pinned Rollins? Would he be the winner of the match since Becky Lynch was no longer able to participate?
WWE seems to be hellbent on this new edict about not wrestling during commercial breaks, which is really bringing down their overall product. Of the ten (10!) matches on the show tonight, three of them were under a minute long, one was an nonsensical mixed tag team elimination match with an awkward intermission, we had about the third 2 out of 3 falls match in about a week with another awkward intermission, and basically a disguised 2 out of 3 falls match with Ricochet going up against Gallows and Anderson. There is only so many ways to not have wrestling take place during a commercial break and WWE seems to be going to the 2 out of 3 falls or squash match well far too often.
Last week seemed to have been a little better than past weeks, but it didn’t even seem like they were trying tonight. Maybe I will tune in to Extreme Rules on Sunday just to see if they have matches actually go longer since they won’t have to be constrained by commercial breaks. That might be the biggest selling point of them all.