Monday Night Raw opens with a look back at last week’s main event, when Roman Reigns defeated Bobby Lashley to become number one contender.
We see Brock Lesnar backstage with Paul Heyman, then head live to the arena where Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring.
According to Coach, the word of the night is “anticipation” because we’ve been waiting so long for this one. Roman says every time he comes down here the energy and the noise is so loud, that Miami deserves a special shout-out. So does Bobby Lashley, because after going to war with him a few times, he respects Bob. Which is more than he can say for Brock Lesnar, because he has zero respect for that fool. The guy never shows up, but oddly he’s got plenty of time to show up to UFC, to get in Daniel Cormier’s face in the octagon and run his mouth, but he guarantees Brock will not come up in his yard and run his mouth tonight.
Paul Heyman makes his way out and introduces himself. Paul asks for forgiveness and offers Lesnar’s congratulations on Roman’s victory last week. However, from his perspective, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Which is why with all due respect, Reigns should be in a padded cell, not the main event of SummerSlam. He can go on and on about spearing Brock through the cage and that he’s the real Champion, but mark his words, this is not a prediction but a spoiler, at SummerSlam Lesnar is going to put the Big Dog down and go on to UFC to become a two-sport champion.
Roman tells him to shut up and that nobody cares what he has to say, they just want Brock Lesnar to come out, so bring him out here. Heyman says his client is here right now, in the comfort of his luxurious locker room and he’ll come out when he feels like it, IF he feels like it. But don’t worry, at SummerSlam, Brock will– Reigns cuts him off and asks what he’s gonna do, is he actually gonna show up? If he does, he wants Paul to write this down, Roman will send him back to UFC, but not as the Beast, but as Roman Reigns’ bitch.
We go backstage where Seth Rollins is getting ready before his scheduled match tonight against Drew McIntyre before cutting to Ronda Rousey talking with Natalya backstage ahead of Neidhart’s match against Alicia Fox.
Finn Balor makes his entrance, he’ll be wrestling Constable Baron Corbin after the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return from the break and out comes Constable Corbin.
Finn Balor Vs. Baron Corbin
The match begins and Balor controls the opening with a headlock that Corbin can’t get free of. Finally, Corbin shoves him off to the ropes, then catches him with a back elbow. Corbin sets Finn on the top rope but gets kicked in the face. Corbin rolls from the ring, so Finn runs around and hits a jumping elbow.
Corbin tosses Balor back inside, but Finn regains control by kicking him as he slides in. Corbin forces Balor to the corner, then punches him and whips into the buckles. Balor gets to the apron and brawls with Corbin before being clocked with a big clothesline and falling to the floor. Corbin in control as we take to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Corbin whip Balor into the corner. Corbin then grounds Balor by putting him in a submission. Finn eventually fights out of the hold, but Constable Corbin levels him with a clothesline to score a two count.
He keeps Balor grounded again in a rear chinlock. Again Finn escapes and hits a dropkick. The Constable pulls Balor out of the ring and drops him back-first on the apron. Finn counters a powerbomb and hits a double stomp. Balor knocks Corbin out of the ring and takes him out with a dive. Now Finn is in charge as we head to another break.
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Corbin holding Balor down in a submission once again – I guess Corbin is trying to be the new Orton. Balor gets free and counters a chokeslam into a roll-up for a near fall. He takes The Lone Wolf down with a sling blade, but then he runs right into a chokeslam backbreaker to give Corbin a close two count.
Corbin catches Balor with Deep Six for another near fall. Finn dropkicks him through the ropes and then hits another to send him into the barricade. He sets Corbin up for the Coup de Grace, but the Constable gets up and knocks Finn from the top rope. Corbin hits the End of Days for the win.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Corbin leaves the ring with a smug look on his face. He turns from the runway and gets back into the ring and continues to attack Balor. Corbin drags him outside and throws him into the barricade. Corbin uses his elbow to bash Balor against the barricade before leaving.
Backstage, Kurt Angle tells Heyman that Lesnar is under contract and needs to appear in front of the crowd. Heyman says Lesnar fufilled his obligation the minute Lesnar stepped into the arena. Angle tells Heyman that Heyman is under contract to WWE. If Lesnar doesn’t appear Angle is going to terminate Heyman’s contract. Heyman asks if Angle is serious. Angle tells Heyman that he isn’t kidding. Heyman sighs and walks away.
*Commercial Break*
We see a lengthy recap of last week’s announcement of the women’s PPV, Evolution.
Alicia Fox is backstage warming-up, when Alexa Bliss walks up. Bliss says that Mickie James is injured, so she asked Foxy to take her place. She tells Foxy that she has an opportunity to make a name for herself here, by beating Natalya. Foxy agrees and makes some weird cat noises before walking off.
Natalya comes out to the stage, then waits for Ronda, who gets a big pop. They make their way to the ring as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
