Monday Night Raw opens with a lengthy look-back at last week’s drama with Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Paul Heyman.
We go live to the arena and out comes Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin. Angle welcomes us to Raw and says tonight’s show will be historic because it marks the in-ring debut of Ronda Rousey. He says unlike other former UFC Champions, Ronda has no issue with wrestling on Raw, she doesn’t complain. He says regardless of whether she wins or not, Ronda and every other Superstar who turns up every week is a Champion in his eyes. Unlike Brock Lesnar. Corbin tells him to watch it but Angle says he needs to get this out. Angle recounts last week’s actions and says Paul Heyman’s job on Raw is intact, and he will be interviewed later tonight by Renee Young.
Before Angle can say anything else, Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring. Roman gets into the ring and says he respects Angle but he should have known better. He asks, “if you kick the big dog out, who’s going to protect the yard?” He says that’s why Angle got rag-dolled last week. Corbin laughs and Roman looks at him, telling him he’s a coward for not helping Angle and then running away. Angle says the repercussions will come from the top down, but he made sure that Lesnar won’t be suspended and the Championship match will go ahead. Angle says he hopes Roman kicks Brock’s ass.
Corbin says that’s really unprofessional for a General Manager. Corbin says if Brock was here tonight, but Roman interrupts him and asks what would he do? Run away again? Corbin says he took the high road, something Roman would know something about. He then says he was tired last week from beating the tiny Finn Balor. He says he already does everything around here, so he couldn’t think of anything else he could have done last week. Angle says he could have been a man. Corbin gets mad and says Angle isn’t exactly a man; he comes down to the ring and makes matches, while Stephanie McMahon is actually in charge. Angle says Corbin is right, he does make the matches, and he sees one right here. He calls for a match between Reigns and Corbin right now. Angle motions for a referee to come down and Corbin sucker punches Roman. Weirdly though, they ring the bell before the referee even gets there.
Roman Reigns Vs. Baron Corbin
The referee gets to the ring. Corbin is trash-talking Roman, who pulls himself up into the corner. Roman bursts out of the corner and floors Corbin with a Superman Punch! The Constable rolls from the ring to re-group and we go to commercial.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Reigns being grounded by a headlock. Reigns starts to fight out but he eats a clothesline from Corbin for a two count. Corbin gets Reigns in the corner and clobbers him with some right hands to the midsection. The Constable then whips him hard to the opposite corner, where Reigns collapses falls to the mat.
Corbin saunters around the ring while Reigns gets back to his feet. Reigns connects with some right hands and hits the ropes, but Corbin knocks him down with a back elbow for another two count. Corbin quickly goes to a head and arm lock. Reigns starts to escape but Corbin quickly slams him back down. Corbin hits some elbows to the head and reapplies the head and arm lock. Reigns eventually punches his way out and hits the ropes, Corbin lowers his head and eats a kick. They botch a clothesline before Reigns lands two for good measure. Corbin ducks a leaping clothesline, but Reigns clotheslines him out of the ring. Reigns hits a Drive By Dropkick and puts him back in the ring. Corbin immediately rolls back out again. Reigns goes out to grab him, but Corbin punches him in the face and sends him head-first into the ring post. Corbin is back in charge as we head to another break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Reigns again grounded in a submission. Reigns fights up, but Corbin forces him into the ropes. Reigns elbows him and hits a leaping clothesline. Reigns stumbles to the corner, where Corbin charges him, but Reigns kicks him away and hits a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Reigns clubs away at Baron in the corner ten times before hitting the ropes and connecting with a big boot. Reigns takes to the corner and sets up for a Superman Punch, but Corbin counters with a Chokeslam attempt. Reigns gets out, but Corbin connects with Deep Six for a near fall.
Corbin clubs Reigns a few times, but The Big Dog retaliates with some forearms. Reigns sends him into the corner, but Corbin slides out and hits a cameraman. Corbin goes for a rebound clothesline, but Reigns floors him with a Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns gets to his feet and gets cheered, for once! Corbin slides out of the ring and starts walking up the ramp like he’s forfeiting the match. Finn Balor’s music hits, and he blocks Corbin from leaving. Corbin angrily backs up and turns into Reigns leaping off the steps with a Superman Punch. Reigns gets him in the ring and hits a Spear for the 123.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Reigns celebrates after the match before walking past Finn Balor on the ramp and giving him a fist bump. Balor gets in the ring and slowly takes off his jacket while Corbin struggles to his feet. Balor dropkicks him into the corner and connects with the Coup de Grace as the fans cheer.
We see Ronda Rousey talking with Natalya backstage. She will face Alicia Fox later tonight. Bobby Roode is also seen backstage putting on his robe. He’ll be taking on Mojo Rawley, next.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and get a replay of last week’s match between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre, followed by him and Ziggler attacking Rollins backstage. We’re live in Kurt Angle’s office and in walks Seth Rollins. He says Angle knows his attention is getting back his Intercontinental Championship back. He says he focuses on Dolph and Drew attacks him, and vice versa. He says he needs to solve both of them at once, so Angle tells him to find a partner and they can square-off tonight.
Bobby Roode makes his way to the ring and we see a replay of his backstage altercation with Mojo Rawley last week. Rawley is out second.
Bobby Roode Vs. Mojo Rawley
The bell rings and Roode ducks Rawley to take the back. Rawley shrugs him off and knocks Roode down. Rawley slams Roode’s head into the turnbuckle. Roode makes a comeback with some right hands. His Irish whip is reversed into the corner, but Roode responds with a clothesline.
Rawley takes the back of Roode, who runs to the ropes sending Mojo to the outside. Rawley jumps on the apron to get back inside but Roode hits a dropkick to knock him to the floor.
*Commercial Break*
Rawley has Roode grounded with a waistlock as we return. Roode struggles to his feet but Rawley hits him with an overhead slam for a two-count. Rawley attacks the back of Roode as the fans dwell in apathy. Rawley goes back to the waistlock. Eventually, Roode elbows his way out and hits the ropes, only to be caught with a sidewalk slam.
Mojo talks some trash before picking Roode up, who rolls Mojo up for a two count. Roode lands some right hands and a flying forearm, followed by a clothesline. Roode hits a corner clothesline and a neckbreaker, before taking to the corner and connecting with a blockbuster. Roode looks for the Glorious DDT but Mojo runs him into the corner. Roode looks for the Blockbuster again but Mojo catches him, throws him up onto his shoulders, but Roode slips off and hits the Glorious DDT. 123.
Winner: Bobby Roode
We see Elias backstage. He has a cameraman, a boom mic, and a lackey standing around him. The guy starts telling him the schedule but he stops him and plays some guitar. Elias will be live, next!
*Commercial Break*
