Welcome to Monday Night Raw for the final time in October 2017!
Kurt Angle is expected to make a statement on tonight’s show, regarding SmackDown Live’s invasion of Raw last week. What will Angle have to say in response to Shane McMahon and will he finally announce the Raw team for Survivor Series? Angle’s team is expect to include The Shield and himself but who is the fifth member? Finn Balor? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and if you expect Raw to retaliate.
Furthermore, the Raw women’s team needs to finalise it’s team. Alicia Fox won the Triple Threat last week to make herself the team captain. Sasha Banks and Bayley are very likely to join the team, perhaps along with Asuka. How will the team function with Fox at the helm? It’s worth mentioning that Emma was released by WWE yesterday, which came as a big surprise to everyone. Emma had been on WWE TV a lot recently and it appears she didn’t ask for her release, which makes the release all the more shocking.
Elsewhere on tonight’s show, Kane will be searching for more competition, and we are due to get more progress with the Champion Vs. Champion matches at Survivor Series. Remember to check out the free Ringside Talk app and give us your thoughts and feelings. Enjoy the show.
Raw opens with highlights of last week’s show when SmackDown Live and Shane McMahon invaded.
We go live to the arena where Kurt Angle is in the ring and the Raw roster is on the ramp. Angle welcomes everyone to the show and says tonight is a little different after everyone saw what happened last week. “Shane McMahon took what I thought what was friendly competition way too far and RAW paid for it.” Angle wants to apologize for letting his friendship with Shane get the better of him. He talks about how the talent had to pay for that mistake. “I put you in harms way. But I promise you, I will never do it again.” Angle goes on to talk about Survivor Series when he is interrupted by none other than Stephanie McMahon!
Stephanie comes to the ring and says she can’t let Angle start the show like that. Stephanie welcomes everyone to Monday Night RAW. “Admit it you missed me just a little bit,” adds Stephanie. Stephanie talks about RAW celebrating its 25th Anniversary in January. She quotes her father Vince McMahon saying the last 25 years have been great, but it was just the beginning. Stephanie says when her father put Kurt in charge, she was in full support and thinks he is done a hell of a job. She says Kurt has led by example.
Stephanie is not pleased that he let her brother take control of RAW the way he did last week. Angle knows she is upset. Stephanie doesn’t want to hear his excuses. She calls Shane shallow and manipulative. Stephanie says Shane had to come pick on her show. She is not happy and begins yelling at Angle. Stephanie wants to add a 4th “I” to Angle’s 3 I’s – incompetence. She says Angle can make it up to her by becoming the Team Captain at Survivor Series. “I expect results.” Stephanie says if she doesn’t get the results she is looking for, she will find herself a new General Manager.
Bayley vs. Alicia Fox is up next.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Kurt Angle is again apologizing to Stephanie McMahon as she gets inside her limo. Stephanie said she meant everything and if he didn’t believe her, ask Mick Foley. Another limo backs up as Stephanie’s limo leaves. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz gets out. Angle says he is late. Bo Dallas is back and with Curtis Axel. Miz asks what he misses. Angle says he’s been made Team Captain at Survivor Series. Miz isn’t happy. Angle tells him to shut up and asked where he was when RAW got attacked last week. He tells Miz he is going to defend his Intercontinental Championship tonight. Miz asks who. Angle won’t tell him since he showed up late. Miz walks off upset.
Bayley heads to the ring next Before the match, Alicia Fox walks out with a captain’s hat on. She reveals as the Team Captain at Survivor Series, she doesn’t have time for a match and has a replacement. Here comes Nia Jax.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Bayley charges in and throws elbows. Jax tosses her out of the ring quickly as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, we see Alicia Fox continuing to watch the match from the ramp. During the break, Jax took out Bayley with a big tackle. Jax tosses Bayley to the corner. Jax splashes Bayley in separate corners. Bayley dumps Jax over the top rope with help from the corner.
Bayley dives out and tackles Jax throwing right hands. Back inside, Bayley avoids a charge and locks on a guillotine choke. Jax quickly tosses Bayley away. Jax drops Bayley down face first over the mat and connects with a cannonball off the ropes. Bayley got flattening off that. Jax hits the ropes and drops a leg. Jax picks up the pinfall.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Alicia Fox grabs a mic and pretends to do a captain announcement. She reveals Nia Jax is her first pick to join Team RAW at Survivor Series.
We see Samoa Joe on his way to the ring!
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Kurt Angle is again apologizing to Stephanie McMahon as she gets inside her limo. Stephanie said she meant everything and if he didn’t believe her, ask Mick Foley. Another limo backs up as Stephanie’s limo leaves. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz gets out. Angle says he is late. Bo Dallas is back and with Curtis Axel. Miz asks what he misses. Angle says he’s been made Team Captain at Survivor Series. Miz isn’t happy. Angle tells him to shut up and asked where he was when RAW got attacked last week. He tells Miz he is going to defend his Intercontinental Championship tonight. Miz asks who. Angle won’t tell him since he showed up late. Miz walks off upset.
Bayley heads to the ring next Before the match, Alicia Fox walks out with a captain’s hat on. She reveals as the Team Captain at Survivor Series, she doesn’t have time for a match and has a replacement. Here comes Nia Jax.
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Bayley charges in and throws elbows. Jax tosses her out of the ring quickly as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, we see Alicia Fox continuing to watch the match from the ramp. During the break, Jax took out Bayley with a big tackle. Jax tosses Bayley to the corner. Jax splashes Bayley in separate corners. Bayley dumps Jax over the top rope with help from the corner.
Bayley dives out and tackles Jax throwing right hands. Back inside, Bayley avoids a charge and locks on a guillotine choke. Jax quickly tosses Bayley away. Jax drops Bayley down face first over the mat and connects with a cannonball off the ropes. Bayley got flattening off that. Jax hits the ropes and drops a leg. Jax picks up the pinfall.
Winner: Nia Jax
After the match, Alicia Fox grabs a mic and pretends to do a captain announcement. She reveals Nia Jax is her first pick to join Team RAW at Survivor Series.
We see Samoa Joe on his way to the ring!
*Commercial Break*
We are back live and Samoa Joe has a mic. Joe says it would seem “some of you have missed me” based on that response he got walking down the ramp. The fans chant his name but Joe finds this amusing because he hasn’t missed any of them. Joe talks about the fans disrespecting him and using that disrespect as fuel.
Samoa Joe Vs. Apollo Crews W/Titus O’Neil
Crews with right hands to Joe in the corner. Joe blocks a suplex attempt by Crews. Joe with a nasty snap powerslam on Crews for a two count. Crews with more rights. Joe with his elbow and kick to the head in the corner. Joe throws his gum at Titus O’Neil at ringside.
Joe with chops to Crews and throws big knees to the chest. Crews catches Joe with a kick to the head. Crews with a second kick to the head. Joe plants Crews in the corner with his spike slam. Joe locks in the rear naked choke. Crews doesn’t take long to tap out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
After the match, Titus O’Neil gets in the ring, takes off his jacket and walks towards Joe. Joe teases he is going to back off. Titus turns his back and Joe locks on the rear naked choke. Joe chokes out Titus as the referee tries to pull him off.
Michael Cole talks about news breaking today about the RAW 25th Anniversary in January, which will feature The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.
The Miz defends his WWE Intercontinental Championship next.
*Commercial Break*
Both men make their way to the ring, Hardy the obvious fan favourite. We get ring introductions for the challenger Matt Hardy and champion The Miz. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel are at ringside tonight with Miz.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
(C) The Miz Vs. Matt Hardy
The bell rings and Matt Hardy with a series of pinfall attempts early. Miz avoids an early Twist of Fate attempt and rolls to the ropes quickly. Miz gets a knee up on Matt. Matt with a backslide pinfall for two. Matt drops a quick elbow. Miz dumps Matt to the outside and distracts the referee. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel are nearby. Miz attempts a dropkick through the ropes. Matt moves out of the way and jumps back inside the ring.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Matt is throwing rights at Miz in the corner. Miz with his inverted DDT and neckbreaker combo on Matt. Miz catapults Matt into the second rope. Miz with big stomps to Matt near the corner. Miz with his running dropkick in the corner and follows it up with his corner clothesline. Miz goes up to the top rope. Matt counters. Miz splashes the corner and misses. Matt bounces the face of Miz off the corner repeatedly. Matt with a corner clothesline and running bulldog combo. Matt drops an elbow to the neck of Miz, goes back up and drops a flying elbow over Miz for a two count.
Matt with a Side Effect on Miz for another two count. Matt gets his elbow up in the corner and catches Miz with both boots. Matt is going up top, goes for a moonsault and connects! Miz barely kicks out. Miz drives Matt head first into the second turnbuckle. Miz with chest kicks to Matt. Matt is back up and connects with a Twist of Fate! Miz rolls under the bottom rope to avoid the pinfall. Miz drops Matt jaw first off the top rope and hits the Skull Crushing Finale to get the win.
Winner: The Miz
Highlights of Stephanie McMahon confronting Kurt Angle earlier tonight is shown.
Backstage, we see Kurt Angle on his phone when WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss walks in. She congratulates him on becoming Team Captain at RAW. Angle asks what he can do for her. Bliss thinks they can cut some dead weight around here like Mickie James. Angle is fine with bringing in new talent, but not at the expense of Mickie James. He books Bliss defending her title against James tonight.
Seth Rollins vs. Kane will take place later tonight. Asuka is in action next.
*Commercial Break*
Asuka is out first to face a local competitor. She gets a pretty good reception.
Asuka vs. Stacie Cullen
Asuka with a spinning back fist that immediately drops Cullen. Asuka with repeated stomps to Cullen. Asuka with big knees and a kick to the back of the head. Asuka tosses Cullen face first into the second turnbuckle. Asuka with repeated kicks to the chest of Cullen. Asuka with repeated slaps and a spinning kick to the head. Asuka Lock applied and Cullen taps right away.
Winner: Asuka
Backstage, Kurt Angle begins panicking and yelling into a walkie talkie. He says they are here. Angle looks over confused and Daniel Bryan walks inside the room.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Daniel Bryan says he is here by himself and didn’t support Shane McMahon’s actions last week, he apologises for what happened. Angle doesn’t believe him at all and says he’s coming for Shane at Survivor Series, bringing his gold medals and his Team RAW.
A video package runs highlighting words exchanged between Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and Jinder Mahal before the Survivor Series champion vs. champion match.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan is on the phone and says things didn’t go well with Angle. The lights go out in the room as we head to a commercial break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Daniel Bryan is still in the dark room on his phone. He’s talking about how he wanted to reason with Angle. Kane shows up and grabs Bryan by the neck and chokeslams him!
We go back to the arena and out comes Finn Balor, followed by his opponent.
Finn Balor Vs. Cesaro
Cesaro with a big right hands to Balor early. Cesaro with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Cesaro with uppercuts to Balor in the corner. Cesaro levels Balor during a comeback attempt. Balor catches Cesaro with a dropkick sending him into the barricade. Balor with a kick to the jaw of Cesaro off the ring apron. We head to a commercial break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Cesaro and Balor collide with Balor catching Cesaro with a kick to the head on the way down. Sheamus with a distraction on Balor allowing Cesaro to hit a big uppercut. Cesaro with an impressive suplex on Balor from the ring apron back inside the ring! Cesaro goes for a crossface.
Balor counters out and connects with a stomp over Cesaro’s chest. Balor with a shot to Sheamus and sends Cesaro over the top rope. Balor dives out taking out both Cesaro and Sheamus. Balor tosses Cesaro back inside, goes up top and connects with stomp to the back of Cesaro’s neck. Balor covers and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Finn Balor
After the match, Kane walks out on the stage and goes after Finn Balor. Balor tries to fight back but Kane gets the better of him and gives him a Tombstone Piledriver on the stage.
Kane gets inside the ring when The Shield’s music hits. WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose head to the ringside area.
*Commercial Break*
Kane vs. Seth Rollins
Kane tosses Rollins out of the ring early. Rollins drops Kane’s jaw off the top rope. Back inside, Kane catches Rollins with a big uppercut and clothesline in the corner. Kane catches Rollins with a side slam for a two count. Rollins catches Kane with boots in the corner. Rollins with a kick to the head of Kane.
Kane rolls out and Rollins catches him with a suicide dive. Rollins is swatted away by Kane when he springboards back in attempting a clothesline. Sheamus and Cesaro are attacking Dean Ambrose at ringside. Rollins jumps out taking out Sheamus and Cesaro.
Rollins springboards in. Kane catches him and connects with a big lifting chokeslam. Kane hooks the leg for the win.
Winner: Kane
After the match, Kane goes after Seth Rollins again. Dean Ambrose jumps in and takes out Kane with Dirty Deeds. Kane sits up and now Sheamus, Cesaro and Kane go after Ambrose. Kane with a Tombstone Piledriver on Ambrose. Rollins jumps on Ambrose to protect him. Kane picks up Rollins and gives him a Tombstone Piledriver as well.
Backstage, we see Daniel Bryan getting put on a stretcher.
Backstage, The Miz is inviting Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel to his locker room celebration. They walk in and Miz says it stinks. Axel finds a bag of garbage on the ground. Miz says it has to be Braun Strowman. Dallas says he has his back tonight.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, The Miz sees Kane and asks him if he thinks Braun Strowman is back based on the garbage in his locker room. Kane tells Miz he is on his own.
We see highlights from WWE TLC, from when Braun Strowman was tossed inside the garbage truck by his teammates.
Heath Slater & Rhyno Vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Slater and Rhyno are dressed as Santa. Gallows and Anderson are dressed as their characters from Southpaw Regional Wrestling. They have Halloween decorations at ringside. Gallows and Anderson put Slater’s face in tub filled with apples. Rhyno puts a pumpkin on the head of Gallows. Rhyno sends Gallows pumpkin head first into Anderson. Gallows puts the inside of a pumpkin all over the face of Slater.
Anderson is tossed into the corner hitting a skeleton. Rhyno puts a pie in the face of Gallows. Slater with candy corn canes to Gallows and Anderson. Gallows with a big boot to Slater. Anderson puts another pumpkin on his head. Gallows does the same. Rhyno slams Anderson through the table. Gallows thinks they won the match and takes the pumpkin off his head.
Winners: Heath Slater & Rhyno
Well that was a match that happened. Up next, we will be walking with Elias.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Sheamus and Cesaro tell Miz to calm down about Braun Strowman. He’s panicked that Braun is coming to get him and he wants to leave the arena.
Elias is playing his guitar when Jason Jordan interrupts. Jordan with a few shots to Elias and Elias bails. Jordan picks up the guitar and Elias tells him to stop. Jordan puts it down, but then stomps over it breaking it to pieces. Jordan dumps the guitar out. Elias grabs the pieces of his guitar as he retreats.
Backstage, Kurt Angle tells The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel they have to stay until the end of the show tonight as they try to leave the arena.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore and Drew Gulak come to the ring and get on the mic. Amore accuses Kurt Angle of tossing out title shots like Halloween candy. Gulak does the “SAWFT” chant but spells it out properly as “SOFT.” Amore isn’t happy.
Drew Gulak Vs. Kalisto
Gulak with chops to Kalisto and a clothesline in the corner. Kalisto with a spinning dive off the corner catching Gulak. Kalisto springboards off the ropes and connects with a kick to the face.
Kalisto with his huricarana driving Gulak face down on the mat. Kalisto then quickly connects with his Salida Del Sol and gets the quick pinfall.
Winner: Kalisto
After the match, Enzo Amore immediately attacks Kalisto and dances.
*Commercial Break*
Mickie James is out, followed by the Champion, Alexa Bliss.
WWE RAW Women’s Championship
(C) Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James
Lock up and James pushes Bliss to the ropes. Bliss with a kick off the ropes. James with a snapmare and kick to the face combo for a two count. James with a huricanrana to Bliss from the corner and follows that up with a dropkick. Bliss rolls out.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Bliss has James on the mat working over her neck. During the break, Bliss drove James head first into the steel ring post in the corner off the ring apron. Bliss pulls the arms of James as she stands on her hair. The Baltimore crowd is starting a random “CM PUNK” chant up. James drops Bliss face first over the mat. James catches Bliss with a kick as she gets up on the top turnbuckle. Bliss lands with a thud on the outside.
James tosses Bliss back in and comes off the top rope catching her with a tackle. Bliss kicks out after two. Bliss tries to bail and James tosses her back in. James with a kick to the face and roll up for another two count. James with more pinfall attempts. Bliss with a big right hand that drops James immediately. Bliss hooks the leg and picks up the pinfall to retain.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
Backstage, we see The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel trying to leave immediately but then cut back to the arena to see Alexa Bliss celebrate.
Backstage again, The Miz, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel are trying to leave in a limo. We see them get inside. The limo comes to a sudden halt when it tries to leave. We see a garbage truck backing up and lifting up. The doors are locked. Garbage comes spilling out of the truck. We see Braun Strowman slowly stand up.
They get out of the limo. Miz, Dallas and Axel run away. Strowman chases them down. We go back to Alexa Bliss. She looks up on the stage and we see Dallas get tossed from the back. Braun Strowman appears as he starts walking towards Miz. Strowman tosses Miz into the LED screens and fights off Axel and Dallas. Strowman tosses Miz near the commentary table. Cole, Graves and Booker T bail. Axel and Dallas attack Strowman. He easily fights them off. Strowman literally tosses Axel and Dallas on the ramp as they slide to the bottom. Miz is crawling away.
Strowman catches up with him and tosses him down the ramp as well. Strowman with an elbow to Axel, boot to Dallas and splash to Miz in the corner. Axel pulls Miz off the shoulder of Strowman. Strowman with a running powerslam on Axel. Miz is crawling away. The crowd chants for one more time. Strowman with a second running powerslam on Axel. Braun lets out his big scream and the crowd screams with him. Strowman with a third running powerslam on Axel. Miz is looking on concerned. Strowman with another powerslam on Axel. Strowman picks up a lifeless Axel and tosses him out of the ring. Strowman puts Axel on his shoulder, walks up the ramp and gives him a running powerslam through the commentary table!
That’s it for this week’s Raw. Let us know what you thought and I will see you back here tomorrow night for SmackDown Live!
Exclusives
