*Commercial Break*
We return and Elias is sitting on the stage again. He strums the guitar and says his new album is out now. Before he can go any further, Braun Strowman’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring.
Strowman comes to the ring and says the WWE Universe is talking about two things: the all-women’s PPV and Roman Reigns Vs. Bobby Lashley. He congratulates all of the women, before specifically his Mixed Match tag partner, Alexa Bliss. The fans chant something and Strowman smiles. He moves on to the Reigns/Lashley feud, and says it doesn’t matter which of them emerges victorious because a monster is waiting in the wings. Strowman asks the fans how they will feel about him being Universal Champion and they cheer. Strowman then sets the briefcase down and throws his hands up to each side of the crowd to get cheers.
Kevin Owens’ music hits and he gingerly walks out. Owens calls Strowman a callous son of a bitch. He says he can’t believe Strowman can come out here and talk about becoming Champion like he didn’t just toss him off of a cage. He screams no. He says he tried to befriend Strowman because his son likes Braun, and his son wanted to be like Nicholas at WrestleMania. Owens says Braun crushed his son’s heart, just like his back at Extreme Rules. Strowman laughs. Owens says his son used to think he was invincible, but now he seems him limping. Even his little daughter is scared when daddy leaves the house. Owens says Braun tried to take everything from him, so now he will take everything from Braun. Strowman shouts at Owens and tells him to hobble down here and try. Owens reminds Braun that he won their cage match at Extreme Rules, and says Strowman’s situation is going to get much worse.
Baron Corbin comes on to the stage. He reminds everyone that Stephanie McMahon is backstage and she gave him the right to deal with this situation. Corbin says that what Strowman did at Extreme Rules was technically legal, but it was morally reprehensible. He says Braun needs help with his temper and he has the perfect person to help. Corbin introduces Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh. Mahal makes his way to the ring and tells Strowman that there have been too many injuries in his wake. He says he has been asked to help Strowman find his inner peace. He tells Braun to close is eyes and repeat after him. Mahal performs breathing exercises but Braun tells him to stop. He says he appreciates it but he knows he has a temper, and there’s something he can do. He gets Sunil to hold the microphone and tells everyone to close their eyes, breathe deep, and repeat after him: “Get These Hands!” Mahal and Sunil suddenly look terrified. Braun kicks Mahal, then grabs Sunil and tosses him into Jinder like a child. Mahal rolls from the ring and Strowman lifts Sunil, then hits the running powerslam.
We see replays of Stephanie, HHH, and Vince announcing the all-women PPV, Evolution. Up next, Natalya faces Mickie James.
*Commercial Break*
Mickie James W/Alexa Bliss Vs. Natalya
The bell rings, and Natalya quickly takes Mickie down with a waistlock. James elbows her way out, but Natalya stops her and hits a snapmare. Alexa Bliss gets on the apron, so Natalya attacks her. James takes advantage of the distraction and knocks Natalya down.
Ronda Rousey will be on RAW next week according to Michael Cole. James applies a front facelock. Natalya fights up, but James takes her down for a two count. Natalya tries to make a comeback and boots her away. Natalya hits a side leg sweep and slaps her in the face. Natalya hits a snap suplex before tackling her to the corner and shouldering her. James hits a weak looking elbow before Natalya comes right back with an electric chair drop. Nattie gets to her feet and hits a low dropkick for a two count. Natalya tries for a Sharpshooter, but James kicks her to the apron. They stumble through something before Bliss pulls her off the apron. Natalya quickly clotheslines her on the floor. Natties gets back in the ring but James connects with the Mick Kick and scores the win!
Winner: Mickie James
Charly Caruso is backstage with Roman Reigns, who gets his usual boos from the crowd. She mentions the last time he faced Bobby Lashley, he lost. What will be different? Reigns says it is a night of firsts. This will be the first time he beats Bobby Lashley. Reigns doesn’t have an advocate to make excuses for him. Tonight he’s adding to his resume. Reigns is going to SummerSlam. People can talk hate and complain about him being shoved down their throats, you can either learn to like it or close your mouths. He’s going to SummerSlam to take the Universal Championship and whoop Brock Lesnar’s ass. I have no idea what Reigns is these days but I’m not sure it matters.
Elias is back. He strums a chord and says his debut album “Walk With Elias” is available on iTunes and Spotify. Elias is then interrupted by The Authors of Pain. Elias looks frustrated but I’m sure this is building to something. AOP will be in action, next.
*Commercial Break*
The AOP are in the ring when we return and ask for some challengers. They say anyone but Titus Worldwide. Of course, here comes Titus, Dana and Apollo. Titus says that there is no questioning that they’re legit but they’re young and they have a lot to learn. Akam says the only thing Titus could teach them is how to fall over. Titus says it’s fine to fall, you just get back up. Apollo says AOP needs to show Titus respect because he’s been here a lot longer than most people. He says if either Akam or Rezar had half the class of Titus, they’d be Champions already. Akam says that there is something Titus can do for them: walk away and retire. Titus says sometimes the best way to teach people is to hit them. They brawl and Titus Worldwide clear AOP from the ring. I have no idea why WWE split Paul Ellering from the AOP but they shouldn’t have, Akam and Rezar lose something when they talk.
We see Stephanie McMahon and Kurt Angle backstage, by her limo. Angle says he was worried when he learned she was coming here but he couldn’t be more proud to be the Raw General Manager after that announcement. Baron Corbin and Kevin Owens walks-up, and Stephanie asks how KO is feeling. Owens says Strowman tossed him from the cage gleefully, almost ended his career. Corbin says the therapy didn’t work, so they need to do something else. Owens says he needs to take everything from Strowman. Angle incredulously asks if Owens wants to face Braun again, and Owens says yes. He wants to face him at SummerSlam and should Braun lose by any method, he gets the Money In The Bank briefcase. Angle says that is absurd but Stephanie says she likes it. She grants him the match and leaves in the limousine.
Still to come, Roman Reigns Vs. Bobby Lashley and Finn Balor Vs. Drew McIntyre.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and Tyler Breeze is out. Mojo Rawley is out next for a rematch from last week, which Breeze requested.
Tyler Breeze Vs. Mojo Rawley
The bell rings and Breeze leapfrogs Rawley and dropkicks him. Rawley quickly knees him and puts him on the apron. Breeze shoulders him and flips into the ring, but Rawley hits him with a running shoulder block. Rawley talks a little trash before applying a chin lock.
Bobby Roode is shown in a picture-in-picture screen. Roode says Rawley obviously has a problem with him, but like Tyler Breeze and No Way Jose, he’s comfortable in his skin. Rawley can hide behind his keyboard all he wants. Back to live action, Breeze hits an enzuigiri. Rawley reverses a dropkick, grabs Breeze;s legs, and catapults him into the turnbuckle. Breeze avoids a running forearm before charging him, but Rawley drives him into the turnbuckle. Rawley hits a sit-out Alabama Slam for the win.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre are shown on a handheld video promo. They had a plan to take over Monday Night RAW. Seth Rollins tried to interfere with their plans, but got decimated by WWE’s resident iron man. McIntyre says he’s not in the Universal Championship match because Finn Balor lost. McIntyre is going to take the opportunity to wipe the smile off Balor’s face permanently. Glad to see these two are still a team, it felt like they were already splitting.
*Commercial Break*
