We return to see The Miz and Miztourage in the ring. Miz introduces himself before saying Jinder Mahal and The Riott Squad have already shaken things up but his guests represent a seismic shift. Yes guests, plural. That’s because his guests are two huge signees, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn!
All five men gather in the ring and have a big hug, including jumping up and down. Miz says this is the biggest assembly of talent ever in one ring. The NWO and the 1992 Dream Team have nothing on this. He says they are The Avengers but that this blockbuster won’t be held back by the egotistical Shane McMahon or the wannabe movie star Paige. They are changing the landscape of WWE and transforming RAW into their image.
Kurt Angle’s music hits, and the RAW General Manager comes out to the stage looking confused. Angle says Miz has no control of this show. Owens and Zayn had an opportunity for a job, but they both lost. Owens says there was an e-mail that was sent a few minutes ago. Plans have changed. Zayn says he’ll spare him going to his e-mail. Zayn printed it out. Zayn takes it out and removes some reading glasses – hilarious. Sami reads the email aloud and it says, “Kurt, in light of recent events and your proclivity for making emotionally motivated decisions, I have no choice but to re-look at your handling of the situation with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. To let them walk away from RAW would be a mistake of epic proportions. So, we have sent both men contracts to work for Monday Night Raw”. I think I got the whole thing, albeit not verbatim. Owens rubs it in Angle’s face. Miz asks if Angle’s career as RAW GM is flashing before his eyes.
Angle says he is merely surprised that Stephanie can write a letter instead of round the clock physical therapy after Ronda Rousey ripped her arm off. Angle says what’s done is done, and he welcomes Ownes and Zayn. Then tells them to say goodbye to The Miz. Angle says he talked to Shane McMahon and Paige. Daniel Bryan wants Miz on Smackdown – “apparently he still has some pull over there”. Miz angrily puts his hand up. Miz says Angle can’t do that, but Angle says he can. Miz asks Angle if he knows what he just did. Smackdown Live just went from the B show to the top show. He will go over with The Miztourage and make it must see television. Angle says The Miztourage is staying on RAW. Only Miz is going. Angle is going to give him a going away gift with a 10-man tag team match. It’ll be the five of them against Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, and a WWE superstar making his RAW debut. Angle sarcastically says they’ll miss him. Miz looks furious. This is a great turn of events.
Bray Wyatt’s video flashes on the screen. Wyatt says, “Hartford… ” Matt Hardy is shown laughing. Hardy says, “I knew you’d come.” Wyatt says this is wonderful. Hardy says in a weird voice, “We’re heeere!” And with that we take a break.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out come Wyatt and Hardy, to face The Revival. I’m amazed WWE hasn’t taken to calling Hardy and Wyatt, The Woken Warriors, seems so obvious. The winners will face The Bar at The Greatest Royal Rumble. Speaking of whom, The Bar are on commentary for this match.
The Revival vs. Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt
Matt Hardy starts against Scott Dawson. The bell rings and Hardy applies a waistlock, but Dawson gets out and tags in Dash Wilder. Hardy bounces his head off the turnbuckle before running into an elbow. Hardy quickly comes back with a hip toss and tags in Bray Wyatt. Wyatt boots him and goes for Sister Abigail, but stops to knock Dawson down.
Wilder takes Wyatt down, but Wyatt does a crabwalk. Wyatt then clotheslines Wilder. Hardy is tagged in, and they hit a double-team back elbow followed by a leg drop/senton splash combo. Wyatt then suplexes Dawson onto Wilder. Hardy and Wyatt shout, “WONDERFUL!” The Revival circles the ring to recover. Hardy fights them off and goes for a Twist of Fate, but Dawson makes a blind tag. They hit a double-team clothesline. Dawson punches away at Hardy before taking him down for a two count. Dawson then applies a chin lock. Hardy fights up, but Dawson punches him down again.
Dawson taunts Wyatt to get him to distract the referee so Wilder could blindside Hardy for a near fall. Wilder tags in and continues to work over Hardy. Wilder and Wyatt are tagged in. Wyatt viciously clotheslines him before punching him in the corner and punching Dawson down. Wyatt avalanches Wilder and hits a uranage. Wyatt archs his back and hits Dawson with Sister Abigail. Hardy tags in, and they hit a double-team wheelbarrow Twist of Fate for the win.
Winners: Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt will face The Bar for the RAW Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Disappointing to see how far The Revival have fallen in favour.
We’ll look at what “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey did to Stephanie McMahon, next.
*Commercial Break*
The Bar are talking about how weird Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are when they bump into Breezango! After a weird pause, Fandango says they’ve been transferred to a new precinct. They make fun of Sheamus’ mowhawk, what The Bar are wearing and hand them tickets. The Bar are furious and tear them up.
We get a recap of RAW’s newest arrivals: Bobby Lashley, The Authors of Pain, Ember Moon, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Jinder Mahal, The Riott Squad, and Breezango.
We get a video replay of what Ronda did to Stephanie last week. Rousey and Angle are in his office, he tells her she’s doing great but Stephanie will have a plan up her sleeve. In walks Natalya, who hugs Ronda and thanks Angle for bringing her to Raw for a fresh start. Angle says he didn’t know that they knew each other, to which Ronda says they train together. Natalya says she is the best, or maybe second, and walks out smiling.
Nia Jax makes her way to the announce table, where she and Alexa will be on commentary after the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return and out comes Ember Moon, followed by Mickie James. Alexa is supposed to join commentary but she doesn’t appear.
Ember Moon Vs. Mickie James
They circle the ring, and James hooks a side headlock. Moon wrenches the arm, but James gets out with a cartwheel. Moon quickly takes her back down and grapevines the head, but James gets out and takes her down before kicking her in the ribs. Moon counters a hip toss and takes her down before hitting a dropkick. James sidesteps Moon, but Moon knocks her back. Moon goes to the second rope, but James rips her off for a near fall. James applies a chin lock.
Alexa Bliss is shown backstage. She was supposed to be on commentary. Bliss says she has no interest sitting out there with that bully, Nia Jax. Jax knows how much it hurt to lose the RAW Women’s Championship. Bullies like her would want to rub it in and throw her off her game heading into Backlash for the rematch.
Moon fights up, but James takes her down. James reapplies the chin lock, but Moon hits a snapmare. James quickly comes back with a neckbreaker for a one count. James covers again for a one count. Moon takes her down with a head-scissor and whiffs a right hand. James blocks a double-arm suplex, but Moon kicks her and connects with it. Moon kips up and lets out a primal scream. Moon hits a handspring strike before going to the top rope for the Eclipse for the win. That was the best Eclipse I’ve ever seen, James sold it like her life depended.
Winner: Ember Moon
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are talking about their rocky start, but they need to focus on the match. Owens wants to know who the mystery partner is. The Miz walks up and talks about his re-debut. They tell him to concentrate on the match at hand. Miz calls over The Miztourage and says this is his RAW Finale. They must make it must see.
The newest member of RAW will debut, next.
*Commercial Break*
We return and music hits…Dolph Ziggler is the newest member of RAW! Dolph makes his way to the ring to a decent reaction. Ziggler says he’s the best superstar to ever walk that aisle. However, one thing about him has changed.
Titus Worldwide cuts him off. Titus O’Neil welcomes Ziggler back to RAW. O’Neil says a lot has changed, like him creating Titus Worldwide. If he wants to maximize his return, look no further than their team. O’Neil says with Ziggler’s talents and his connections, they can go to the top. O’Neil says Ziggler is a multi-platform superstar. They can conquer the world. Ziggler thanks him for the offer and interrupting him. Ziggler says the one thing that changed is he didn’t come back to RAW alone…
Drew McIntrye attacks O’Neil from behind and head-butts Apollo in the face! Ziggler and McIntyre send O’Neil into the ring post. A “Holy Sh*t” chant fires up in Connecticut. Ziggler then superkicks O’Neil. McIntyre then punches away at Apollo. Ziggler gets Apollo to his feet. The fans are chanting “McIntyre” loudly.
They then hit a Zig-Zag/Claymore finish. The new team walk up the ramp and the commentators hype them. Pretty cool team with tonnes of potential.
Coming up next, we’ll hear from Roman Reigns.
*Commercial Break*
