WWE Monday Night RAW 08 31 2015

WWE RAW Logo 2015

WWE Monday Night RAW
Location: Tampa, FL
Date: August 31, 2015
Commentators: Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton

We are live for Monday Night Raw! We see Seth Rollins becoming the Undisputed and United States Champion, we then see the statue of Seth Rollins which eventually saw the return of Sting as Sting then became the statue and attacked Rollins, later that night we would learn that Sting would face Rollins for the Undisputed Championship at Night of Champions!

We are live from Tampa Florida! With the risk of Hurricane Erica attacking Florida, anything could truly happen tonight. The Intercontinental Championship will be on the line as Ryback defends against The Big Show, Team PCB will each compete in the first ever Diva Beat The Clock Challenge, Dean Ambrose will face Braun Strowman in Strowman’s in-ring debut, The Dudley’s will have their first Raw match in over a decade when they face the tag champions New Day in non-title action. But right now, bringing back up the point that anything can truly happen tonight. The Icon, The Vigilante! Sting is kicking off Monday Night Raw! He has the mic and woo’s! Oh it feels good to be in Tampa, the last time I was in this ring or competing in this ring was against Triple H, and I pushed him to his limits, but he also pushed me to my limits and I will have respect for him. But that was then, and this is now. As I set my eyes on the sellout Seth Rollins. To where an injustice of every month with Seth Rollins to hold the biggest prize in this business, the WWE Championship. Wanting to be in the same name like Bruno Sammartino, Andre The Giant and The Ultimate Warrior. I have faced legends all over the world and I have won titles all over the world. I will prove that Seth Rollins is not half the man that Triple H is, and Seth Rollins is a legend in his own mind. I will prove that you are not the man, you are a little boy and you are in my way! The final chapter will be written and I will be the world champion! Strong words from Sting!

Seth Rollins is irate as he talks to Stephanie; Steph reassures him that a win over Sting would make Seth Rollins and his stock rise to the top! Rollins says he is better than anyone. Steph actually agrees with Sting and Seth is not half the man that Triple H is and tells him to ask Sting where his statue is!

Dolph Ziggler and the lovely Lana make their way to the ring. Dolph will face Rusev in a SummerSlam rematch up next!

Ziggler and Lana are in the ring, this is somewhat of a homecoming for Ziggler since he is from Hollywood, Florida. Rusev and Summer Rae make their way to the ring.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev

This match is underway, go-behind by Ziggler but Rusev pushes him off. Rusev grabs the head of Ziggler and tosses him around as Ziggler went for a single leg, making him vulnerable for that throw. Dropkick by Ziggler as Rusev goes to the outside. Rusev enters the ring and stomps the heck out of Ziggler. A huge kick to the skull of Ziggler for a two count. Rusev then tosses Ziggler all the way across the ring! This match is all Rusev as Rusev jumps off the ropes and stomps on Ziggler. We actually get a dueling let’s go Rusev/Rusev sucks chant. Ziggler goes for the Stinger Splash but goes face first into the turnbuckle and Rusev capitalizes with some huge elbows for two. We now get a let’s go Lana chant as Ziggler locks in a sleeper! Rusev backs into the corner to make Ziggler release the hold and blasts Ziggler off the apron and to the barricade as we go to break!

A big splash by Rusev as we come back. Both men are trading punches and kicks and Rusev not only knocks him down but puts him in a huge bearhug! Big knee to the gut of Ziggler followed by a clothesline but Rusev missed a splash and Ziggler hits a DDT! Ziggler is back on his feet off the ropes we go and Ziggler is on fire but is taken down by a Saito suplex for two. Ziggler rolling him up for two but Rusev with a spin kick for two! Rusev picks him up but Ziggler counters into a superkick for two! Both men go to the outside and Rusev flies into the steel steps, both men beat the count into the ring, superkick by Rusev for two, Ziggler counters into a Zig Zag but Summer attacks Ziggler for the Disqualification! Lana fights Summer off, Ziggler pulls her back but Lana jumps up and dropkicks Summer as they leave.

Winner via Disqualification: Dolph Ziggler. ***1/2 match. Normally I take stars off for a disqualification, but this advances the storyline without making anyone lose momentum here. Lana and Ziggler make out on the ramp.

The Intercontinental Championship is on the line later tonight, but the first ever Diva Beat The Clock Challenge is up next!

We learn that the WWE Divas have a combined 17 million followers on Instagram.

Ziggler and Lana cuddle up and talk, Renee Young interviews Ziggler and Lana leaves, Ziggler is happy but goes to the showers. As Renee talks about the card coming up we see Summer entering the same room Ziggler went in.

This will be the first of three beat the clock challenge matches, where the winner will be the number one contender for the Divas Championship. Nikki Bella does a pretty generic promo about counting down the moments of becoming the longest reigning Divas Champion of all time! And in Honk-a-meter fashion, we are introduced to the Bella Tron! Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring accompanied by PCB members Paige and Charlotte. Alicia Fox is her opponent. Becky talks about the Beat The Clock Challenge in a pre-tape promo.

Alicia Fox vs. Becky Lynch in a “Beat the Clock” challenge match

This match is underway and Becky already going for quick covers, Becky must set the time in this match by winning this match, that is if she wins this match. Both divas going for constant covers. Becky already has an armbar and a variation of armbars locked in, but Foxy leaves the ring and is in the ropes. Big kick by Foxy, Foxy is now putting the boots to Becky but Becky is rolling her up but again Foxy is in the ropes.  Big kick, elbow and clothesline by Becky followed by somewhat of a shining wizard for a two count. Becky hits an exploder suplex as we reach the three minute mark but only gaining a two count off of that. Foxy rolls her up but Becky counters into the Disarmer and Foxy taps out!

Winner in 3:21, Becky Lynch! *** star match. For what the time of the match got it was a pretty good match.

The Dudleys will face The New Day later tonight.

The WWE Superstars and Divas get their revenge on the people that made Swerved! Thank god this is the Season Finale, and it will be following Raw!

Paige wrecks a motorcycle Jeff Hardy style tomorrow night on Total Divas…I never thought that would be a sentence used here but it just happened.

We see Rich Brennan with Intercontinental Champion Ryback. Ryback tells us the obvious tagline for this match as it is the Big Guy vs the Big Show, he then recaps his entire run with the title so far, and says he is bigger and better than the Big Show. We see Summer running from Dolph as Dolph is in a towel. The plan seems to be coming into place.

The Big Show makes his way to the ring. Ryback soon follows. We will get the pre-match introductions coming up next!

We see a WWE Shop promo. Tonight only you can take 30 percent off all T-Shirts by using the code SHIRT30.

We see a Dudley Boyz promo for Smackdown!

The Miz is on commentary and Lillian Garcia finally gives us the in-ring introductions.

WWE Intercontinental title match: WWE Intercontinental champion Ryback vs. The Big Show.

This Championship match is underway and these two are swinging for the fences but Ryback runs into a shoulder block by Show. Big chop by Show and Ryback with massive clotheslines in the corner but Ryback is knocked down by Show and Show does it again and walks on the body of Ryback followed by an elbow for a two count. Show chokes Ryback on the ropes, whipping him into the corner hard! We get a please retire chant for Show and he demands a microphone and says he wants someone to try and retire him, Ryback lifts him up but Show falls on top of him for a two count. Big DDT by the Big Show for two. Show going after Ryback and Show has a rest hold but Ryback fights out of it, ducks the WMD and hits a shoulder tackle, Show is back up and has him in the corner off the ropes but Ryback with a Thesz press but Show with a chokeslam and Ryback with a spinebuster for two! What a sequence that was. Meathook into a chokeslam but Ryback gets the shoulder up. Show going up to the top rope, we don’t see this often and Ryback tosses him Flair style. Meathook into a spear but Ryback again gets the shoulder up! Show going for the WMD, Miz with the distraction and Ryback hits Shellshock for the victory.

Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Ryback aka as Lillian says, The Ryback. ***1/2 star match. As far as Big Show/Ryback matches go, this was actually pretty good, plus Miz interfering continues the storyline.

Dean Ambrose faces Braun Strowman later tonight, but coming up next, Charlotte faces Brie Bella in the Divas Beat The Clock Challenge up next!

Paige wrecks the motorcycle. I know you have to sell Total Divas, but why show that of all things? If this was an actual accident it would be cut right away.

Team Bella is back in the ring, Brie will represent Team Bella, Charlotte makes her way to the ring with the rest of PCB, and Charlotte also cuts a promo about the beat the clock challenge.

Charlotte vs. Brie Bella in a “Beat the Clock” challenge match

Charlotte has to win this match in under 3 minutes and 21 seconds to advance and here we go, Brie is trying to run the clock here but Charlotte is trying to catch Brie. This will be a cat and mouse game and the chase is on, Brie knocks down Charlotte on the outside. Charlotte fights her way back into the ring and goes for the Figure Four but Brie yet again gets the ropes but Brie kicks the face of Charlotte and Charlotte with a neckbreaker followed by Natural Selection and picks up the win!

Winner in 1:40, Charlotte! *** star match. Basic heel tactics by Brie to run the clock, for the time it was given, it was a good match.

We see the return of the Dudleys from last week, Xavier Woods going through a table in the process.

Renee Introduces the Dudley Boyz! Bubba Ray talks about two reasons why they are back. Putting everyone through a table, and the WWE World Tag Team Championships! They are nine time tag team champions, but they want number ten! They don’t plan of knocking them off, but putting them through a table. But what will happen when 20 thousand people are shouting, D-Von, get the tables! D-Von goes full Testify mode! I love it!

We see Cesaro and Kevin Owens walking backstage, they face each other up next.

We see Roman Reigns talking about a B. A. Star game…ok then.

We see…a Tough Enough Promo? I can only assume this is a replay of the finals following Raw.

Cesaro makes his way to the ring as Michael Cole tells us this is Raw episode 1,162! Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring.

Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens

This match is underway as we get a Fight Owens Fight chant. European uppercut by Cesaro as Owens mouths off and a quick kickout by Owens. These guys are just throwing bombs here. Suplex attempt blocked by Owens but he eats a boot and Cesaro hits a delayed vertical suplex and both men are punching while in the suplex. You don’t see that every day, Cesaro gets a two count after a double stomp to the gut. Chops by Owens followed by a boot by Cesaro, off the ropes we go and Owens with a kick but Cesaro with a clothesline for a one count. Off the ropes again but Owens finds his bearings and rolls out of the ring, Cesaro hits a running European uppercut that sends him to the barricade, Cesaro tosses him back in the ring and hits a crossbody for two. Owens rolls out again but Owens catches Cesaro and tosses him back into the ring, hitting a senton back inside the ring. Chops in the corner by Owens and Cesaro with a forearm but is whipped into the corner, but Owens asks where the Cesaro Section is now. Owens with that cannonball senton in the corner for two! Owens elbows the back of the head of Cesaro followed by a cravat. Cesaro fights out of it but Owens is fighting back with an elbow and a torture rack into a reverse cutter for two as we go to break.

We see Daniel Bryan promoting 5 Hour Energy.

Cesaro goes for a superplex but instead hits a dropkick from the top as we come back, Cesaro now hits a gutwrench superplex for two! European uppercut train by Cesaro and is eventually counted into a superkick into a very interesting maneuver by Cesaro for two. Cesaro going for the Neutralizer but rolls him into the swing instead but Owens hits a superkick for two! Owens yells at Cole to watch this, but misses the cannonball! Both men trading blows and slaps and Owens goes for a tornado DDT but Cesaro blocks it, slams him down and locks in a crossface! Owens uses his leg to get the ropes. Cesaro is tossed over the ropes but Cesaro lands on the apron, puts his boot up and then goes for a suplex to the outside but Owens hangs on, runs off the ropes and knocks Cesaro ribs first into the announce table! Cesaro rolls into the ring and goes for the swing but cannot swing him around. Owens hits the pop-up powerbomb for the victory!

Winner: Kevin Owens! **** star match! This is how you do a match and use an on the fly injury to change the complextion of it in an instant! That was brilliant from start to finish!

Coming up next, Braun Strowman makes his in-ring debut against Dean Ambrose!

Speaking of Ambrose, we see a promo for his new movie, 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown! It’s interesting to see the 12 Rounds franchise being rebooted with Ambrose in the lead role.

Ziggler and Lana are backstage. Ziggler tries to explain himself, he says he was in his own locker room, he left the shower and Summer stared at him with a big grin on her face. He grabbed a towel and told her to leave. Lana is justifiably upset since Summer saw Dolph naked, Lana walks away! Good for you Lana!

Bray Wyatt leads Luke Harper and the newest member of the Wyatt Family, Braun Strowman to the ring. Look at all of those fireflies! I love it! We go back to last week of the debut of Strowman, taking out both Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose! The Black Sheep of Sister Abigail would then take out both men, Roman then tried to make the save on Smackdown but the result was the exact same. Strowman, laying waste to both remaining members of The Shield.

Bray Wyatt has the mic and thanks Sister Abigail for giving him this gift, The Black Sheep, Braun Strowman. Braun, this is your moment. Tonight you will show the world what you are made of, and mankind has decided when the world will end. Tonight, will be the end, the seventh trumpet will sound and we will walk with you unmasked. Braun, show the world the face of destruction! Braun says this isn’t the beginning, it’s the end. The Apocalypse!

We cut to a NXT Promo as we celebrate the life of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and begin the Dusty Rhodes Memorial Tag Team Tournament!

We see a Facebook fact for WWE.

Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring. Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring as backup.

Braun Strowman vs. Dean Ambrose

This match is underway. Ambrose with a few forearms and Braun just blasts Ambrose to the mat, followed by tossing him all around the ring like a ragdoll! Ambrose with a boot in the corner but Braun knocks him down with a clothesline. Braun picks him back up, short-arm clothesline ducked by Ambrose and he gets a few punches in before Braun grabs him by the face and sends him down once again! Sending him all the way out of the ring, then sending Ambrose into the barricade! Just applying pressure, crushing the skull of Ambrose on the top of the barricade. Braun slaps Roman and Roman causes the disqualification, Braun then launches Roman into the barricade like a lawn dart! Strowman is just taking out both men, tossing Roman into the ropes, keeping him in the ropes and hen locks in that modified bearhug, Ambrose with a chair, but it is like a fly smashing into the back of Strowman, Strowman is just dominating and Harper then takes one of them out, Strowman with that modified bearhug to both men, crucifix into a spiral slam by Strowman to Roman! Bray yells to us do you see? Braun holds Roman and Roman is hit with Sister Abigail as Bray thanks Abigail! Bray then tells us to Follow The Buzzards and we cut to commentary!

Winner by Disqualification: Braun Strowman! **** star match! Normally a DQ takes stars away for me personally, but the way it was done and the destruction of both Shield members, putting over the power of Strowman as an unstoppable force was brilliant! Perfectly done in my opinion.

We see the recap from SummerSlam and last week on Raw, but then we see Sting from earlier tonight.

Renee Young introduces the United States and Undisputed Champion, Seth Rollins. Renee asks about the statue, Rollins then puts over this statue of making this company what it is today, and with Sting stealing it, it is a disgrace to every legend that was put in bronze. Seth then says later tonight, he will call out Sting and demand his statue. Rollins says he is better than Triple H and he is the man!

Paige will face Sasha Banks in the final Beat The Clock Challenge up next!

We see a WWE Network promo, including WWE Breaking Ground, showing people what it takes to become a WWE Superstar. A Stone Cold Podcast with Edge and Christian! The final episode of Swerved, and go behind the life of NXT stars as we have an NXT edition of WWE 24. Brock Lesnar in a Madison Square Garden PPV! And much more! Visit WWE Network to start your free month now!

We get a look at Tampa Florida.

This is the third and final Beat The Clock Challenge. Paige is accompanied by the rest of PCB to the ring. Paige has to beat one minute and forty-one seconds to beat the clock. She cuts an amazing pre-tape about the state of the Divas Division and bringing back her house! Sasha Banks makes her way to the ring with the rest of Team BAD, Naomi and Tamina.

Paige vs. Sasha Banks in a “Beat the Clock” challenge match

This match is underway! Paige takes her down for a one count, Sasha is stomping the chest of Paige in the corner and slams her down for a two count. Off the ropes and Paige goes for a sunset flip, Sasha lands down and these two are trading pinfalls very quickly. Paige with two knees for two. Sasha off the ropes but is put into Rampaige but Sasha is pulled out of the ring by Team Bad. Paige tried to lock in PTO but time ran out. Charlotte is now the number one contender for the Divas Championship!

No winner in this match. *** star match, for the time it was given it was a good match. Team Bella comes out and they show the Bella Tron.

Seth Rollins will demand his statue back from Sting later tonight, but coming up next, The Dudley Boyz make their official Raw re-debut up next!

Renee welcomes us back and she introduces Lana, she also shows Summer talking about what happened during the break. Summer tells us about the full detail about what happened this night. Summer tells us that Ziggler tried to bury the hatchet, then going  into the shower and giving her the look. Summer could not do that because of Rusev, she left, but the power of having Ziggler naked, will never leave her mind. Lana leaves in disgust. Ziggler clearly needs to get that tattoo removed though, I will say that much.

The New Day make their way to the ring, and they talk about the power of Tables, and they will protect this only table in the arena, and they will clap to Save The Tables! The war of the table will be up next! I love it Maggle!

Paige once again wrecks the motorcycle. This is getting old real fast Total Divas.

The Dudley Boyz are back! They make their way to the ring! I honestly wish they came out to Drop The Bombshell, but that may just be a personal preference. Prime Time Players are on commentary.

The Dudley Boyz vs. WWE tag team champions The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) in a non-title match

Big E and D-Von kick things off into a lockup into an arm wringer reversed into another one and another one into a headlock but D-Von takes him down, he then hits a neckbreaker for a two count but Kofi Kingston tags in. Bubba Ray then tags in, Kofi claps but Bubba then claps and into a headlock we go, off the ropes, duck the boot, leapfrogs but runs into a 360 clothesline by Bubba! E tags back in and Bubba yells New Day Sucks and runs into the New Day, The Dudleys clean house as we cut to break.

D-Von is taking it to E as we come back but Kofi tags in and a double clothesline by D-Von! Kofi tags in as Woods pulled the ropes to lead D-Von out! E tags back in after Kofi dives on D-Von, E sends him to the barricade. Constant tags by new day and this is what you need to do over a veteran team like the Dudley’s, big splash by E for two! Big elbow by E for two. Kofi locks in a rest hold and goes up top but runs into a clothesline! Bubba makes the tag and is cleaning house! Bubba pulls Woods in by his hair into the ring! D-Von pulls him out of the ring by his hair! Flip flop and fly by Bubba! Kofi stops the Wassup but runs into the 3D for the victory! D-Von gets the table! Big E is saved by Woods as he pulls him out!

Winners: Dudley Boyz! ****1/2 star match! This was a great match showcasing both teams, but more importantly, making the Dudley’s important in their in-ring return!

Coming up next, Seth wants his statue!

We learn that MizTV will try to fix the problems between Dolph and Lana on Smackdown!

The Undisputed and US Champion, Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring! He has a mic and says to let him make himself perfectly clear, up to last week, he had no problem at all with Sting. He revered him as a legend, but then Sting took his statue, ruined his moment and knew why WCW went out of business. He is a real man, he does not hide under shadows but he will call Sting out and wants 2 things from this paint wearing freak. He wants him to take back what he said about triple h, he says he will be eventually better than him! He wants the statue that symbolizes more than he will understand. The statue that symbolizes the greatest champion of all time! He wants the statue now! Wait a minute, this isn’t Sting, this is Stephanie McMahon!

She says she knows she is the one that told him to ask Sting, but she wants him to stop talking about her husband. Seth back pedals but Stephanie pumps him up and he calls out Sting…wait a minute, the singing of John Cena Sucks means only one thing! The man that took out Jon Stewart for no reason at all, John Cena comes out.

Cena explains that we will find out how expendable Seth is, Stephanie is now the woman that will make Seth’s career miserable! That he is the biggest idiot in the world, and that Seth is the only one that broke the shield and did what he had to do to become something in this business! The Authority do what is best for business and use them! Ask Batista, Orton, Kane and eventually ask Rollins. Because The Authority says every title will be on the line, Cena is cashing in his rematch clause for the US title! Stephanie needs to answer a one word question…and the answer…YES! It is now official! John Cena will fight for the US title! Wait a minute! Here comes Sting! Sting and John Cena on the same ramp at the same time! Something I thought I would never say! Goodnight from Tampa!

Source: www.ringsidenews.com