“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go straight into the arena to see the cheering crowd. Roman Reigns’ music hits, and the WWE United States Champion makes his way to the ring. We’re kicking tonight’s show off with a United States Championship match. Rusev is already in the ring.
Still photos are shown of Roman Reigns vs. Rusev from last night’s Clash of Champions. Reigns defeated Rusev to win the WWE United States Championship.
WWE United States Championship Match
Rusev w/ Lana vs. Roman Reigns (c)
The bell rings, and they circle the ring before Rusev takes him down with a front facelock. Rusev cinches up on it and hooks the leg to get a one count. Rusev continues to try to pin him down, but Reigns keeps fighting up. Rusev keeps the front facelock applied before Reigns twists out with a hammerlock. Rusev fights up, and Reigns applies a side headlock. Rusev whips him off, but Reigns shoulder blocks him down twice before taking him down with a headlock. Reigns is getting cheered a lot more tonight. Rusev pulls the hair and applies a head-scissor. Reigns kips up out of it, but Rusev quickly takes him back down before applying a waistlock. Reigns fights up and counters with a headlock takeover. Rusev fights up and counters out with a back suplex. Rusev shoulders him in the back before stomping the back. Rusev connects with a suplex for a two count. Rusev shoulders him in the back a few times before Reigns comes back with some right hands. Rusev quickly powers him to the corner, but Reigns sidesteps an avalanche. Reigns clubs away at him in the corner nine times before connecting with a right hand. Reigns rolls him up and tries for the lifting powerbomb, but Reigns’ back gives out. Rusev then takes him down with a fall-away slam. Reigns rolls out of the ring to recover.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rusev taunting the crowd while Reigns is down on the mat. Reigns slowly gets to his feet, and Rusev punches him right down. Rusev sends him into the ropes and applies a bear hug. Rusev holds it on for a while before Reigns breaks his grip and punches him. Reigns punches him back before hitting the ropes, but Rusev quickly comes back with a dropkick. Rusev pulls him up and executes a gutwrench suplex for a two count. Rusev hits a second gutwrench suplex for the same result. Rusev mounts him and punches away at him. Rusev gets up and kicks him in the ribs. Rusev avalanches him against the ropes and picks up another two count. Rusev immediately goes back to the bear hug. Reigns fights up, but he has a whip to the corner reversed. Reigns quickly pops out of the corner and clotheslines him down.
Reigns gets up and starts punching him before having a whip reversed. Reigns quickly takes him down with two clotheslines before hitting a leaping clothesline. Reigns sizes him up and avalanches him in the corner before big booting him down. Reigns sets up for the Superman Punch, but Rusev counters with a bear hug. Rusev brings him near the ropes, and they both go over the top rope! Reigns’ legs smacked on the back of Rusev’s head on the way down!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Rusev rolls Reigns into the ring to pick up a near fall. During the commercial, Rusev drove Reigns’ back into the ring post. Back to live action, Rusev props him up on the top rope and punches him. Rusev goes for a superplex, but Reigns punches out of it and head-butts him down to the mat. Reigns then flies off the second rope with a diving clothesline. Both men are down. Rusev pulls himself up in the corner. Reigns charges him, but Rusev counters with a boot to the face. Rusev charges out of the corner, but Reigns catches him with a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Reigns goes for a powerbomb, but his back gives out. Rusev gets out and goes for a roundhouse, but Reigns ducks it. They trade punches before Rusev floors him with a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Rusev gives him some falling head-butts for another two count. Rusev then goes to the top rope, but Reigns pops up and punches him off the top rope to the floor. Reigns sends him flying with a baseball slide before putting him in the ring. Rusev kicks him in the head as he comes back into the ring and picks up a near fall. Rusev is incredulous.
Rusev goes for a running kick, but Reigns avoids it. Reigns goes for a Superman Punch, but Rusev grabs him for a waistlock. Reigns punches out of it and hits the ropes, but Rusev superkicks him down for a near fall! Rusev signals for the Accolade. Rusev stomps the spine and goes for a second stomp, but Reigns turns over and blocks it. Reigns pushes him away and floors him with a Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns cannot believe it! Reigns sets up in the corner, and the crowd is on their feet. Lana gets on the apron for the distraction, but Reigns catches the running kick. Reigns pushes him out of the ring, goes outside, and connects with a Drive By Dropkick. Reigns bounces Rusev off the steps before punching him over the barricade. The referee counts them out, as they fight through the crowd.
Double Count-Out
Roman Reigns is still the WWE United States Champion
Reigns and Rusev bounce each other off some partitions in the crowd before making their way back to ringside. Rusev sends Reigns into the barricade a number of times before Reigns fights back. Reigns then sends Rusev hard into the barricade. Reigns leaps off the steel steps for a Superman Punch, but Rusev hits him in the ribs with a steel chair! Rusev cracks the chair off Reigns’ injured back before putting him in the ring. Rusev gets in and sizes up his prey. Rusev smacks the chair off the mat a few times before charging, but Reigns spears him down to a big pop from the crowd. Reigns picks up the chair, and a “YES” chant breaks out. Reigns looks like he’s going to assault him with the chair, but he instead sets it up, which causes the audience to groan, and sits down before lifting up the WWE United States Championship. Reigns’ music plays, but he then gets up and cracks it off Rusev’s back to the delight of the crowd! Rusev gets out of the ring as Reigns poses for the crowd.
The commercial for WWE 2K17 airs, featuring an appearance by the recently released Alberto Del Rio.
The New Day will defend their RAW Tag Team Championships against Gallows and Anderson in a Clash of Champions rematch. Coming up next, we’ll hear from Mick Foley.
-Commercial Break-
Mick Foley discusses the controversial end to the Best of 7 Series
The RAW General Manager, Mick Foley, is in the ring. We see still photos of the absolutely brutal match between Cesaro and Sheamus that ended when the referee determined neither man could continue. Foley says at Clash of Champions last night, Sheamus and Cesaro culminated their Best of 7 Series in a thrilling match that ended due to medical stoppage. Their Best of 7 Series ended in a draw. Foley says he’d like to invite both competitors out here.
Sheamus is introduced first, and he comes out with his left knee and right elbow all taped up. Sheamus limps down to the ring. Cesaro is out next to a big reception. Cesaro adjusts his neck, which has to be hurting following the botched suicide dive. Foley starts to talk, but Sheamus cuts him off. Sheamus asks how this is even a discussion. When Mick Foley made the Best of 7 Series, he said that the man that the most physically dominant would get a championship opportunity. Cesaro says that’s why he’s here. Sheamus says Foley told them both that. Sheamus tells the crowd to be quiet. Sheamus says they beat the hell out of each other last night and doesn’t want a “wishy washy” response. Foley said the man that was the most physically dominant would get a championship opportunity. If that’s not him, he doesn’t know what series Foley was watching. Cesaro says he was standing in the ring last night ready to fight while Sheamus was scurrying away in the walk of shame. Sheamus says he was dragged out by four people and wanted to fight. Cesaro says he could have got through them. They go back and forth over who is the most dominant before Foley shouts, “Enough!” Sheamus says he is better than Cesaro and is done with him.
Foley says Sheamus is right… and so is Cesaro. They both proved they could be physically dominant and brought out the best in each other. Foley cannot in good conscience say one was a winner and one was a loser. After thinking long and hard, he’s going to grant both of them championship opportunities. These are not separate opportunities. They’ll be sharing the same championship opportunity. They’ll be contending together for the WWE Tag Team Championships! Cesaro says he just went through a Best of 7 Series and won’t share a ring with him. Sheamus also argues the decision. Foley says they don’t have to like it, but that’s his decision. If they decide to do it, they’ll face the winners of the following match.
The New Day makes their way to the ring, as Cesaro throws his microphone down in disgust. Cesaro gets out of the ring and leaves. The RAW Tag Team Championships will be on the line, next.
-Commercial Break-
RAW Tag Team Championships Match
The New Day (c’s) vs. Gallows and Anderson
We join the match in progress. Karl Anderson sends Kofi Kingston into the ropes, but Kingston dropkicks him down. Kingston and Big E represent The New Day. Kingston baseball slides Luke Gallows down before he attacks Big E. Anderson goes over the top rope, but Kingston punches him. Kingston gets in the ring, ducks a clothesline, and kicks him down. The New Day starts the unicorn stampede before Gallows pulls Big E off the apron and boots him down. Anderson then knocks Kingston over the top rope. Gallows then turns Kingston inside out with a clothesline on the floor! Anderson goes outside and sizes Kingston up before laying him out with a running boot. Anderson puts him in the ring for a two count. Gallows is tagged in, and he clubs away at Kingston before giving him an uppercut. Gallows charges, but Kingston boots him in the face. Gallows stops him from making a tag and sends him into the ropes, but Kingston springboards off the ropes. Gallows counters him by giving him a chokeslam for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Kingston try to tag Big E, but Anderson stops him. Anderson takes him down with a running sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Gallows is tagged in, and he throws Kingston to the corner before punching him and connecting with a big kick. Gallows comes off the second rope and eats a boot. Anderson quickly tags in, but Kingston avoids a head-butt.
Big E is tagged in, and he hits Anderson with a pair of belly-to-belly overhead suplexes before hitting a belly-to-belly side suplex. Big E gyrates before clotheslining Gallows out of the ring. Kingston then clotheslines Gallows on the floor. Anderson quickly rolls Big E up for a two count. Big E sends Anderson into the corner and charges, but Anderson sidesteps him and Big E hits the ring post shoulder first. Anderson takes him down with a running boot for a near fall. Anderson sizes him up and charges, but Big E sends him to the apron. Big E then takes him out with a suicide dive spear. Big E gets Anderson in the ring and tags in Kingston. Xavier Woods plays “Taps” as they hit the Midnight Hour, but Gallows breaks it up. Gallows goes for a two-handed chokeslam, but Kingston kicks him out of the ring. Kingston gets the crowd going, but Anderson gets out of the ring. Big E is tagged in, and Kingston picks up a head of steam, but Gallows pulls him out of the ring and sends him into the steps. Anderson then kicks Big E in the back of the head before coming off the second rope with a flying neckbreaker. Gallows is tagged in, and they hit Big E with the Magic Killer, but Kingston breaks up the pin! Gallows throws Kingston out of the ring and kicks Woods in the head at ringside. Anderson is tagged back in, and he sizes up Big E. Big E tags in Kingston, who is absolutely busted wide open. Kingston springboards off the top rope, but Anderson catches him. Kingston comes back with a DDT before throwing Gallows out of the ring. Kingston then hits Anderson with Trouble in Paradise for the win. The New Day’s Tag Team Title reign will surpass 400 days.
Winners and still RAW Tag Team Champions: The New Day
Still photos are shown from last night’s WWE Universal Championship main event. Kevin Owens gave Seth Rollins a gut-buster off the second rope, injuring his ribs. Chris Jericho then ran down and helped Owens pick up the win after the referee was knocked out. Stephanie McMahon sent a second referee down once momentum swung in Owens’ favor.
A video from WWE.com is shown that was filmed after Clash of Champions ended. Stephanie McMahon kissed her husband, Triple H, got in a limousine with him, and drove off.
Slow motion footage is shown of Kevin Owens’ super gut-buster on Seth Rollins. Rollins was checked out and it was revealed he has damage to his ribs. Rollins is not medically cleared to compete tonight.
Coming up tonight, Chris Jericho will have WWE Universal Champion, Kevin Owens, on The Highlight Reel.
-Commercial Break-
We go backstage to see Cesaro and Sheamus arguing. Mick Foley walks up and says he’s not messing with them. He watched their match with two other WWE Hall of Famers with mouths agape. Foley says they’re two of the best superstars he’s ever seen. He can’t put them out there for an eighth match because he risks losing one of them for good. Every now and then, you put together two people that don’t like each other in a tag team and magic happens. If they’re willing to do it, he’ll put them out in a match tonight. Foley wants to show the WWE Universe what he’s known all along: they’re two of the best. Foley was very passionate in his delivery.
Anna Fields vs. Bayley
Anna Fields attacks Bayley at the sound of the bell before choking her on the ropes. Anna continues to choke her on the middle rope before punching her to the corner. Bayley kicks her back, so Anna forearms away at her and chokes her with her boot. Anna picks up a one count. Anna applies a chin lock, but Bayley fights up and sends her into the corner. Bayley bounces her off the turnbuckle a few times before sending her into it hard. Bayley throws her down and elbows her in the back before hitting a running clothesline. Bayley powers her to the corner and avalanches her. Bayley takes her down with the Bayley To Belly for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Bayley
Tom Philips gets in the ring to congratulate Bayley on her victory. Philips asks about coming up short last night at Clash of Champions. Bayley says last night, Charlotte and Sasha Banks showed that they’re the two top talents right now. However, that won’t be the last time they’ll see her. She’s just getting started on her journey and won’t stop until she’s hugging that Women’s Championship.
Stephanie McMahon is texting in her office when Mick Foley walks up to her. Foley says he kind of looks like a fool because he believed in her. After last night, he stepped away to check on Cesaro and the bottom falls out in the main event. The referee is down for minutes, Chris Jericho was constantly interfering, and then she conveniently decides to find a referee to count the win for Kevin Owens just in time. Then she sees Triple H and asks how it went, and she said it was good. Stephanie cuts him off and says her husband came to pick her up after a long night of work. Triple H didn’t see the show because he was in the air. Stephanie says the one thing that wasn’t great was what happened in the main event. Foley was embarrassed, and she says he should be. Who’s job is it to protect the integrity of the main event? Stephanie says it’s Foley’s job. She didn’t hire him for his medical expertise. They have the best doctors in the world. She hired him for his brains and business acumen. Foley shouldn’t let his ego get in the way and accuse her of not doing her job. She asks what he has to say for himself. Foley looks shaken and says he was out of line. Stephanie says if he wants to be an ambassador, she can make that happen. If he wants to be General Manager, she needs him to act like it. If Foley buys into that conspiracy theory, Seth Rollins definitely will. Rollins isn’t medically cleared, but he’ll go after Owens. It’s Foley’s job to protect him whether he likes him or not. Stephanie warns him to not forget who he works for. Foley apologizes and sadly bumbles off.
Coming up next, we’ll see the Cruiserweights in action. Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander take on Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak.
-Commercial Break-
A pre-taped promo is shown with Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander that was about as generic as it comes. A highlight video is shown for Drew Gulak and Lince Dorado respectively.
Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander vs. Drew Gulak and Lince Dorado
The referee has them come to the center of the ring and shake hands. Rich Swann will start against Lince Dorado. Dorado ducks a lock-up and takes him down. They hit the ropes before Dorado tries for a running hurricanrana, but Swann lands on his feet. Swann tries for a running hurricanrana, but Dorado lands on his feet. Dorado arm drags him down, and Swann answers back with an arm drag. They try for a dropkick at the same time. They shake hands and won’t release. Dorado ties him up in a submission and slams him down, but Cedric Alexander breaks it up. Rich Gulak runs in, but Alexander sends him out of the ring. Dorado kicks Alexander out of the ring. Swann attacks Dorado, but he’s soon given a back body drop over the top rope. Dorado goes to the top rope and takes out all three men (yes, including his tag team partner) with a moonsault to the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Gulak applying a chin lock on Swann. Swann fights up, but Gulak powers him to the corner and tags in Dorado. Dorado gives him a snapmare for a two count. Dorado uppercuts him and chops the chest. Dorado sends him to the corner hard and kicks him. Dorado sends him to the opposite corner and goes for a running dropkick, but Swann moves out of the way. Dorado grabs the ankle before he makes the tag.
Alexander and Gulak are tagged in. Alexander elbows him down twice before giving him a handspring leaping enzuigiri. Alexander kicks him in the head before going to the apron. Alexander catches him with a springboard clothesline, but Dorado breaks it up. Dorado punches Swann down. Alexander then gives Dorado a NASTY Lumbar Check that basically spiked him on the head. Gulak gives Alexander a Saito Suplex. Swann is tagged in, and he kicks Gulak in the midsection. Gulak counters a leapfrog into a roll-up for a two count. Swann superkicks him and rolls him up for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander
Much like the Cruiserweight Classic, the referee raises the arms of the victors while the losers stand at their side.
Kevin Owens will be on The Highlight Reel. Coming up next, we’ll see if Sheamus and Cesaro can co-exist.
-Commercial Break-
Nick Cutler and Willis Williams vs. Cesaro and Sheamus
Cesaro will start the match against Nick Cutler. Cesaro gives Cutler a delayed vertical suplex and taunts Sheamus about his power. Cesaro goes for a tag, but Sheamus gets off the apron and laughs at him. Cesaro scoop slams Cutler and slaps Sheamus on the back to tag him in. They argue before Sheamus sends Cutler to the apron. Sheamus then gives him the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán. Sheamus powers him into the ring. Cutler tags in Willis Williams. Sheamus boots him in the midsection before clotheslining him down. Cesaro tags himself in and uppercuts Williams. A “Let’s go jobbers” chant breaks out. Williams snaps Cesaro’s injured arm off the top rope. Cutler is tagged in, and he comes off the second rope with a club to the shoulder. They tag in and out while concentrating on Cesaro’s arm. Cesaro finally uppercuts Cutler down and sends Williams out of the ring. Cesaro goes for a Neutralizer on Cutler, but Sheamus comes in the ring and gives Williams a Brogue Kick. Cesaro lets Cutler go, so Sheamus drops him with a Brogue Kick for good measure. Cesaro just looks around and simply pins Cutler for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Cesaro and Sheamus
Cesaro and Sheamus take turns making the crowd react to them. They then exchange some words in the ring before leaving.
A video package airs for T.J. Perkins, who will make his RAW debut tonight.
T.J. Perkins is backstage with Tom Philips. Perkins says this is a dream come true. It’s a dream he’s had since 1998. There was a time when he didn’t think he’d make it. Now he’s about to compete on Monday Night RAW as the WWE Cruiserweight Champion. As much as he’s dreamt about his moment, he never thought he’d see… that. Brian Kendrick comes into the frame. Kendrick asks him if it feels good having his dream come true by depriving him of what was his. That title was resurrected for him. Perkins owes him the title and his career. Perkins says he owes him for that head-butt after the match. Kendrick tells him to enjoy himself tonight because the next time they meet in the ring, that’ll be when he wakes up from this dream. Kendrick walks off, as Perkins looks irritated.
Charlotte is seen walking backstage with Dana Brooke. She’s going to celebrate her victory, next.
-Commercial Break-
Charlotte celebrates her victory at Clash of Champions
RAW Women’s Champion, Charlotte, makes her way to the ring alongside Dana Brooke. Charlotte says Clash of Champions was once again her night. She once again successfully defended the RAW Women’s Championship and proved why she is the Queen of the WWE Women’s Division. She defied the odds and beat two of the greatest female athletes today. That’s the difference between her and Bailey and Sasha. She doesn’t just talk the talk – she walks the walk. They’ve heard this before because month after month, a new competitor emerges. The WWE Universe thinks that’ll be the woman to dethrone her, but night after night, match after match, she disappoints the crowd and everyone at home. Everyone will soon learn what she knows. She’s not the huggable Bailey or the Internet Darling Sasha Banks. She’s a money maker and the face of this division.
Sasha Banks’ music hits, and she comes down to the ring. Sasha tells her to slow her role and check herself. Last night may have been her night, but that is still her title. Charlotte asks if it’s her title, why is it still around her waist? Sasha tells her not to interrupt her. Secondly, Charlotte pinned Bailey and not her. She’s still owed her one-on-one rematch, and she wants it right now. Charlotte sighs as a “YES” chant breaks out. Charlotte tells the peasants to be quiet, which gets a big reaction. Charlotte calls her “Sasha Wanks” and says she’s a living legend in her own mind. As good as Sasha thinks she is, she’s just that much better. Charlotte says Sasha has earned it and will give the people what they want. Charlotte says she’ll give her a title match, and she removes her robe. Charlotte then cackles and says, “Next week,” which gets loud boos. Charlotte tells them to be quiet. If she didn’t, Sasha would cry to Mick Foley until she got her way. Charlotte says as much as she’s embarrassed Sasha and beaten her down, she keeps getting back up. In Los Angeles, she’ll stay down. Sasha says she promises that she will show the world that she is the face of the Women’s Division when she takes back the Women’s Championship.
Sasha slaps Charlotte down before applying the Bank Statement on Dana. Charlotte breaks it up, but Sasha soon kicks her out of the ring. Sasha then sends Dana out of the ring.
Kevin Owens will be on The Highlight Reel later tonight.
Seth Rollins is shown backstage. Rollins is not medically cleared to compete.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins is walking with a purpose backstage when Mick Foley stops him and asks how he’s feeling. Rollins says he’ll be fine soon enough. There is nothing that will stop him from going out on The Highlight Reel. Kevin Owens is owed something. Foley says now is not the time and place and he’s not medically cleared. Foley has been there before. Rollins doesn’t care about Foley’s rules. Rollins saw Stephanie get into that limo with Triple H last night. He’s not going to listen to Owens brag about what happened to him. Rollins cuts Foley off as he goes to speak and says all he hears are Stephanie’s words coming out of his mouth. Rollins walks off, as Foley looks on in anger.
Next week on RAW, T.J. Perkins will defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Brian Kendrick live at the Staples Center.
T.J. Perkins vs. Tony Nese
Before the match, a highlight package is shown for Tony Nese.
They shake hands before the bell rings. They circle the ring and lock up. Nese powers him to the corner and throws him across the ring. Nese takes him down with a waistlock before wrenching the arm. Perkins twists out and goes for a head-scissor, but Nese does a cartwheel and lands on his feet. Perkins ducks a clothesline, but Nese runs him over with a shoulder block. Nese powers him up for a suplex, but Perkins lands on his feet. Perkins quickly takes him down for a Knee Bar, but Nese quickly gets to the bottom rope. Nese gets out of the ring. Perkins gets on the apron, and Nese pulls him off. Perkins puts Nese on the apron, but Nese does a cartwheel and superkicks him. Nese takes him out with a Fosbury Flop and lands on his feet! Nese puts him in the ring for a two count.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Perkins fight up from a chin lock before applying an octopus stretch. Nese counters with an inverted gutwrench suplex for a two count. Nese punches away at him and chops the chest. The crowd appears distracted by something happening off camera. Nese sends Perkins hard into the corner, but Perkins comes back with a running hurricanrana. Perkins hits an inverted atomic drop and follows up with a spin kick. Nese reverses a whip to the corner, but Perkins comes back with a neckbreaker. A “CM Punk” chant breaks out. Perkins connects with a double chickenwing into a double knee gut-buster for a near fall. Perkins connects with a suplex followed by a back suplex. Perkins goes to the top rope, but Nese cuts him off. Perkins fights him off and boots him back. Perkins goes for a tornado DDT, but Nese stops the momentum, hangs him on the top rope, and knees him in the head for a two count. Nese goes for a pump-handle slam, but Perkins gets out and dropkicks him into the ropes. Perkins connects with a Wrecking Ball dropkick. Perkins follows up with the Detonation Kick and applies the Knee Bar for the win.
Winner by Submission: T.J. Perkins
Pedro Morales is honored by WWE for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Coming up next, Kevin Owens will be on The Highlight Reel with his best friend, Chris Jericho.
-Commercial Break-
It’s official: Charlotte will defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks next week on RAW.
The Highlight Reel with special guest Kevin Owens
Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson are shown on Twitter talking about coming to RAW next week for Chris Jericho after he mentioned them last week. Chris Jericho gets in the ring holding “The List of Jericho.” Jericho says, “Quiet,” over and over again, crescendoing as he does. Jericho says this is the most anticipated Highlight Reel in WWE history. First, he wants to address Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher. How dare they insinuate they’re better friends then him and Kevin Owens. That’s impossible! If they do decide to show up to Los Angeles, he’ll put them on “The List of Jericho.” When he does, they’re not going to like… it.
Jericho goes to make the introduction, but then yells at the cameraman for shooting him from the wrong angle. Jericho puts him on “The List of Jericho.” Seth Rollins is also on the list because he’s injured again. The good news is that the man who put him on the injured list is his guest tonight. He’s his best friend and longest reigning WWE Universal Champion in the business, Kevin Owens!
WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring. Owens and Jericho embrace in the ring before Owens poses with the championship. Owens says the set is really impressive. Jericho says a wiseman once said, “People have been led to believe that mediocrity is excellence,” and that wise man is him. Last night, Owens showed what a champion really should be. Owens is the epitome of a champion, and he’s proud to call him his best friend. Owens says he’d be out in a suit and tie, but this is Cincinnati, Ohio. He’s not wearing a suit for the city that spawned a living, breathing, walking car wreck like Dean Ambrose. Jericho says Ambrose still owes him $17,000. Owens says he won’t see it because Ambrose is a bum. Owens says he proved that he should have been the #1 draft pick for RAW. Owens proved that he not only belongs in the main event — he IS the main event. Owens also proved that he, not Seth Rollins, is the man. Not only did he beat Rollins and retain his WWE Universal Championship, but just like Jericho said, he hurt Rollins. Don’t feel bad for Rollins because what happened last night was karma. For a year and a half, Rollins called himself the man, and he was. Just look at the list of people he injured: John Cena, Sting, and Finn Bálor. Rollins may have been the most dangerous man in WWE. Last night, he took out the most dangerous man in WWE, so that makes him the most dangerous man in WWE.
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he storms down to the ring. Security immediately runs out and gets in front of him to prevent him from coming into the ring. Mick Foley walks up and tries to reason with Rollins. Owens tells Foley not listen to the people. Owens tells him this is his time and Rollins needs to go. Rollins eventually heads to the back. Jericho says the crowd didn’t like that because they want to see Rollins beat them up.
Enzo and Big Cass’ music hits, and they come out to a big reception. Enzo and Big Cass have custom microphones. Enzo does his usual shtick while the crowd chants along. Jericho says he’s got this. A “How you doin'” chant breaks out. Jericho says they’re doing just fine. Why wouldn’t they be? They’re best friends, on top of the world, and the WWE Universal Champion. Everything was going fine until they interrupted them. That means they’re on the list! Owens corrects Jericho’s spelling. Enzo says he’s like Santa Claus. Jericho says, “Maybe I am Santa Claus. Maybe I’ll come down there and sit on your lap!” Jericho knows he made an error. Big Cass asks what he said, and Jericho denies saying anything. Big Cass repeats what he said, but Jericho says he said he was going to punch him in the face. They go back and forth until Big Cass asks the crowd if Jericho really said that. A “YES” chant breaks out.
Owens says it doesn’t matter because he’ll punch them in the mouth. Jericho says they would, but they don’t have a match with these two. Big Cass says they saw Mick Foley backstage, and they have a match against them right here in Cincinnati, Ohio! The crowd gives that a big pop.
-Commercial Break-
T.J. Perkins will defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Brian Kedrick next week on RAW. We’ll also see Charlotte defend the RAW Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks.
Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens vs. Enzo and Big Cass
Chris Jericho will start the match against Enzo Amore. They circle the ring, and Jericho kicks and punches him. Jericho is wrestling in black leather pants. Enzo whips him off, but Jericho shoulder blocks him down. Jericho hits the ropes, and Enzo dropkicks him down. Enzo hits an arm drag and a modified jawbreaker for a one count. Jericho quickly scurries over to Owens and hugs him before tagging him in. Owens taunts Big Cass, who is tagged in. Owens punches away at him as he’s tagged in. Cass punches him before tagging Enzo in. Cass sends Enzo into Owens before throwing Jericho over the top rope. Cass then military presses Enzo out of the ring onto Jericho and Owens. Big Cass is tagged in, and he puts Owens in the ring. Owens quickly knees him in the midsection and clubs the back. Jericho is tagged in, and he chops Cass’ chest. Cass comes back with a sidewalk slam. Owens runs in, and he gets a sidewalk slam. Cass charges, but Jericho pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Owens is tagged in, and he attacks Cass at ringside before sending him into the ring post.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Owens applying a chin lock to Cass. Cass fights up and gets out with a back suplex. Enzo and Jericho are tagged in. Enzo hits Jericho with some flying forearms and punches away at him in the corner. Enzo does the running man and takes him down. Enzo goes to the top rope and does a dab before hitting a cross-body block for a two count. Enzo knees Owens in the face before elbowing Jericho back. Owens pushes Enzo off the second rope, and Jericho rolls him up for a two count. Jericho puts Enzo on the apron. Owens holds Enzo’s feet while Jericho wipes him out with a springboard dropkick. Owens sends Enzo into the barricade. Owens gets on the apron and mocks the running man dance. Owens puts Enzo in the ring and stomps his hand. Owens chops the chest and talks some trash. Owens chokes him with his shin in the corner. Owens distracts the referee, and Jericho takes advantage by choking Enzo. Owens chops Enzo’s chest and tags in Jericho. Jericho kicks him, mocks the “Enzo” chant, and hits a delayed vertical suplex. Owens screams that Jericho is the lead singer of Fozzy. Jericho continues to attack Enzo before putting him on the top rope. Jericho goes for a superplex, but Enzo punches him down. Enzo dives, but Jericho dropkicks him out of mid-air. Owens tags in, and he gives Enzo a scoop slam before flattening him with a senton splash for a two count. Owens argues with the referee before kneeing Enzo in the face. Jericho is tagged back in, and he kicks Enzo before slapping him in the face. Enzo fights back and hits the ropes, but Jericho gives him a back elbow for a two count. Jericho holds him, but Enzo gets out. Jericho quickly takes him down with a clothesline. Jericho goes for a Lionsault, but Enzo gets his knees up.
Big Cass and Owens are tagged in. Cass hits a pair of shoulder blocks before knocking Jericho off the apron. Cass hits Owens with a fall-away slam before putting Jericho on the apron. Cass splashes owens in the corner before giving Jericho a big boot out of mid-air. Cass scoop slams Owens down before dropping the Empire Elbow. Cass gives Jericho a twisting powerslam. Owens avoids a splash in the corner, and he kicks Cass down. Owens sets up for a cannonball, but Cass pops up and big boots him down. Enzo is tagged in, and they go for Bada Boom Shakalaka, but Jericho slaps Cass. Cass sends Jericho to the apron and big boots him to the floor. Enzo hits a diving DDT on Owens, but he kicks out. Owens soon turns Enzo inside out with a clothesline. Owens then lays him out with a Powerbomb for the win.
Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho pose before stepping on Enzo Amore.
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