WWE RAW Report – 8/17/15

– Tonight’s WWE RAW from Minneapolis kicks off with Lilian Garcia introducing Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. They head to the ring as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by Byron Saxton and JBL.

– Stephanie welcomes us to RAW and says it feels like Christmas morning. She says the tension backstage is so thick you can cut it with a knife. She calls Sunday’s SummerSlam the biggest in history. She says the Barclays Center is sold out but you can still see it on the WWE Network. Triple H chimes in and they plug the $9.99 WWE Network. Triple H says it will be an unbelievable night with careers being defined and history being made. He hypes Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker, John Cena vs. Seth Rollins as promo graphics are shown on the big screen and the SummerSlam theme song plays in the background. “Minnesota’s own” gets a huge pop for Lesnar. Stephanie hypes Taker and Lesnar being on RAW tonight, plus the contract signing with Cena and Rollins. Triple H talks about Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose vs. The Wyatt Family next and we see graphics for them on the big screen. Triple H announces Harper vs. Reigns for tonight. Stephanie talks about Team PCB vs. Team Bella vs. Team BAD at SummerSlam. She announces Nikki Bella vs. Sasha Banks for tonight. Triple H says SummerSlam will be epic – four hours, nine matches. Stephanie talks about Jon Stewart being the SummerSlam host. Triple H says the road to SummerSlam starts right now and Randy Orton’s music hits.

Randy Orton and Cesaro vs. Sheamus and Kevin Owens

Orton makes his way to the ring to a pop. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Cesaro to a big pop. There are some “Cesaro Section” signs in the crowd again tonight. Kevin Owens is out next followed by Sheamus. Cesaro and Owens starts off but Owens immediately tags. It ends up being Sheamus and Orton going at it but Sheamus retreats to the floor and stalls more before they get physical. Sheamus stalls some more but Orton drops him with a pair of shoulders. Sheamus scrambles back to the floor for more stalling. Sheamus tag sin Owens, who stops Orton from tagging and goes to work on him. Orton comes out of the corner with a clothesline. He tags in Cesaro. Cesaro stops Owens from tagging and hits a big suplex. Cole points out the “Cesaro Section” signs in the crowd. Fans start chanting for Cesaro as he hits a big uppercut off the second rope. Owens retreats to the floor and we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Orton is fighting Sheamus off but Sheamus hits a senton. Owens tags in with the splash for 2 count. Owens knocks Cesaro off the apron and stomps on Orton. Owens with right hands on Orton now. Sheamus tags in and keeps up the attack on Orton in the corner. Sheamus keeps control for a 2 count. Owens tags back in and stomps on Orton as Sheamus holds him. Owens keeps Orton grounded now.

Owens tosses Orton out to the floor and follows but Orton kicks him and back drops him on the barrier. Orton crawls in to make a tag but Sheamus tags in and stops him. Orton kicks him away and tags in Cesaro. Cesaro unloads on Sheamus with uppercuts. Cesaro with the running uppercuts in the corners. Cesaro drops Sheamus with a clothesline and goes to the top for a crossbody. Sheamus kicks out at 2. Cesaro goes for the Cesaro Swing but Sheamus makes it to the bottom rope. Sheamus with a powerslam. Sheamus goes to the top but Cesaro catches him in mid-air with an uppercut for a 2 count. Sheamus counters a Neutralizer but eats an uppercut. Orton tag in but Sheamus doesn’t see it. Cesaro fights Sheamus and Owens on the apron. Orton comes up on Sheamus and hits the draping DDT. Owens blocks the RKO but Orton goes right into the RKO on Sheamus. Cesaro pulls Owens out as Orton covers Sheamus for the win.

Winners: Randy Orton and Cesaro

– After the match, Orton and Cesaro celebrate as Owens and Sheamus look on from the floor.

– The announcers talk about Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker, confirming both will be here later tonight. We see Taker’s return at Battleground last month and their recent brawl on RAW. Up next, Taker will speak. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we hear the druids and see The Undertaker somewhere talking. He says when The Reaper calls your name, it’s just over for you. Taker addresses Brock Lesnar, saying his name has been called and at SummerSlam, he will never… rest in peace.

– We go back to the announcers for more hype on SummerSlam and the WWE Network.

– We get a look at John Cena’s nose being broken a few weeks ago. Seth Rollins is backstage with Stephanie and Triple H now, talking about tonight’s contract signing. Rollins asks if he can have a statue in the lobby of WWE headquarters after he wins at SummerSlam, like there are of Andre the Giant, The Ultimate Warrior and Bruno Sammartino. They say he’s got it but aren’t serious. Rollins gets excited and walks off.

Roman Reigns vs. Luke Harper

We go to the ring and out comes Dean Ambrose for commentary. Roman Reigns is out next through the crowd. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. Ambrose takes a chair from Saxton and pushes it over to Wyatt and he takes a seat away from the announce table. Harper and Reigns lock up and break before going to the corner. They trade right hands and Reigns rocks Harper. Harper turns it around but Reigns rocks him again. Reigns with more uppercuts. Harper takes Reigns down and applies a headlock. Reigns finally gets free and hits thrusts in the corner. Reigns with kicks. Harper ducks a big clothesline but Reigns dumps him over the top to the floor. Reigns runs around and nails the Drive By kick. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Harper is in control of Reigns after hitting a dropkick during the commercial. Harper with a Michinoku driver for a 2 count. Harper with a headlock now. Harper slams Reigns and runs over him with a huge big boot to the jaw for a 2 count. Harper does the Gator Roll on Reigns. Reigns finally makes a comeback but runs into an elbow in the corner. Harper then nails a knee to the face. Reigns slams him anyway. Harper ends up on the floor and Reigns hits a clothesline from the apron. They come in the ring and Harper connects with a kick. Reigns with a right hand. Harper counters but Reigns rolls him up for 2. Reigns knocks Harper back out of the ring.

They come back in and Reigns hits a clothesline for a 2 count. Reigns goes for the Samoan Drop but Harper beats him down with elbows to the head. Reigns powers up anyway and hits the Samoan Drop for a 2 count. Reigns ends up on the floor and Harper goes to dive out but Reigns meets him with a right hand. Reigns comes in but Harper catches him with a side slam for a 2 count. They trade counters and Harper nails a superkick. Harper with the sitdown powerbomb for another close 2 count. Reigns comes back with a Superman punch and a spear for the win.

Winner: Roman Reigns

– After the match, Ambrose walks by Wyatt and taunts him on his way into the ring to celebrate with Reigns. Reigns and Ambrose look down at Wyatt as we get replays. They leave and we come back to Wyatt in the ring checking on Harper. The lights go out as Wyatt poses over Harper and fans boo. Back to commercial.

Tamina Snuka vs. Becky Lynch

Back from the break and Tamina Snuka is in the ring as NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks look on from the floor with Naomi. Becky Lynch is out next with Charlotte and Paige.

The lock up and Tamina shoves Becky across the ring. Becky grabs Tamina but gets tossed to the mat again. Tamina with a forearm and a headbutt. Becky slides out of a move and unloads with forearms. Becky ducks clotheslines and hits a crossbody but Tamina catches her with a big slam for a 2 count. We see Team Bella backstage watching the match. Tamina slams Becky and covers for 2. Tamina keeps Becky grounded now.

Tamina with another hard takedown and a 2 count. Tamina mounts Becky with big strikes. Becky finally makes a comeback out of the corner and hits a springboard kick. Becky goes to the top for a missile dropkick and a 2 count. Becky runs into a kick. Becky counters a big slam and rolls Tamina into the Dis-Arm-Her for the win.

Winner: Becky Lynch

– After the match, Team PCB celebrates as Team BAD looks on.

– Still to come tonight, Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Bella and the Cena vs. Rollins contract signing. Also, Brock Lesnar’s homecoming. Back to commercial.

Mark Henry vs. Rusev

Back from the break and Rusev waits with Summer Rae. Lana is on commentary and says she has a plan. Mark Henry is out next with an American flag. The lock up and go at it, ending up on the floor. Henry unloads and brings Rusev back in the ring for a World’s Strongest Slam for a 2 count. Henry keeps control and hits another slam for another early pin attempt. Rusev goes to the floor and Henry follows. Rusev takes control and sends Henry into the ring post twice.

Rusev goes over and yells at Lana before bringing it back in the ring. He connects with a big kick to the face on Henry and stomps on him before applying The Accolade. Henry looks to fight the hold off but Rusev stomps again and tightens the hold for the win.

Winner: Rusev

– After the match, Rusev has the Bulgarian flag drop down with his face on it. We go to replays. Rusev and Summer leave but Lana enters the ring and takes her shoes off. She screams for Summer to come back to the ring. Rusev and Summer stop on the ramp and walk back to the ring. Summer goes in and readies for a fight. Lana laps her pretty hard and she goes down. Lana points at Rusev to come in the ring and he goes. Fans chant for Dolph Ziggler as Rusev backs Lana towards the rope. Ziggler’s music hits to a big pop and he rushes to the ring. Ziggler unloads and ducks a clothesline before hitting a big tornado DDT. Ziggler goes to nail Rusev again but he puts Summer in the way and fans boo. Lana takes Summer down with a kick to the head. Ziggler thanks her and drops Rusev with a kick to the head. Summer and Rusev stumble up the ramp as Ziggler’s music hits and he celebrates with Lana.

– Still to come, the SummerSlam contract signing. Back to commercial.

– JoJo catches up with Lana and Ziggler backstage. Ziggler wants The Authority to give him a singles match against Rusev at SummerSlam. He says it feels damn good to be back and they walk off.

– We get a promo video for Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker. Still to come, Lesnar’s homecoming.

Ryback vs. The Miz

Back from the break and out comes WWE Intercontinental Champion Ryback for a non-title match. Back to commercial we go.

Back from the break and out comes Big Show for commentary. The Miz is out next and he takes the mic to rip on Show and Ryback as he walks to the ring. Ryback takes it to the corner to start and unloads. Miz turns it around and goes to work on Ryback’s leg. Miz with a 2 count. Ryback eventually comes back and drops Miz with a big slam. Ryback nails a Meathook clothesline but goes in and gets kicked. Miz comes off the second rope but Ryback catches him and turns it into Shell Shocked for the win.

Winner: Ryback

– After the match, Ryback takes the mic and says he’s still hungry, telling Big Show to get his big ass in the ring. Ryback starts a “feed me more” chant and Show stands up from commentary. Show ignores Ryback and just walks to the back.

– Still to come, the Cena – Rollins contract signing. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and Triple H is in the ring with Stephanie McMahon for the “Winner Takes All” match at SummerSlam. Triple H introduces WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and out he comes.

Rollins thanks everyone for the introduction and gets booed more. Rollins congratulates Stephanie and Triple H on putting together what will go down as the greatest SummerSlam ever. Rollins congratulates himself on the statue that will be built in his honor when wins at SummerSlam. Rollins goes on and takes a shot at the Minnesota Twins. Rollins continues with his promo and then signs the contract. The dueling chants start up for John Cena now. Rollins talks about how Cena has held WWE hostage for 10 years but that stops on Sunday. He calls Cena a disease. Rollins says when he broke Cena’s nose, that began the process to free the entire WWE Universe from Cena. He says Cena is the disease but he’s the cure. Fans mostly boo. Rollins goes on until Cena’s music finally hits and out comes the WWE United States Champion as fans sing their own version of his theme song.

Cena says he’s not in the mood to have a seat. Cena says Rollins is trying to defend his title reign while fans are doing duel chants for him… nobody gives a damn about Rollins. Cena calls him a sorry excuse for a man and a cheap imitation of John Cena. Cena says it’s about time Rollins made the title mean something. He says Rollins was hand-picked by Triple H, he’s not a Cena rip-off. Cena says the real champ is here now. Cena goes on and says what he’s going to do to Rollins on Sunday will haunt him for the rest of his life. Cena says he designed his “15X” gear months ago because he didn’t think he was getting anywhere near the title anytime soon. Cena says he will become a 16 time champion on Sunday. Cena says when Rollins loses, Triple H loses because the current record is help by his mentor – Ric Flair. Cena says he will prove Rollins isn’t the future, he’s just a footnote to Cena’s 16th reign. Cena says he’s going to make Rollins his bitch at SummerSlam. Cena signs the contract and walks off as his music hits.

– Still to come, Banks vs. Bella. They plug Brock Lesnar appearing on ESPN SportsCenter tomorrow morning. Back to commercial.

The Prime Time Players and The Lucha Dragons vs. The New Day and Los Matadores

Back from the break and WWE Tag Team Champions Titus O’Neil and Darren Young are in the ring with Sin Cara and Kalisto. El Torito and Los Matadores are also in the ring for this eight-man match. Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi Kingston are out next. They cut promos on winning the titles at SummerSlam. They start off beating down Sin Cara in their corner as Woods screams at ringside.

Titus gets a tag and cleans house. He take out both Matadores and tosses them across the ring. Titus gets a pop before splashing one of the Matadores in the corner. Woods distracts Titus, allowing one of the Matadores to hit a Backstabber. Torito takes out Woods on the apron and a big fight breaks out on the floor. Titus tags in Kalisto, who springboards in on one of the Matadores for the win.

Winners: The Lucha Dragons and The Prime Time Players

– The announcers confirm Ziggler vs. Rusev for SummerSlam. Back to commercial.

– We come back to a video looking at the Stardust and King Barrett vs. Stephen Amell and Neville feud. Barrett and Stardust cut a promo backstage on their SummerSlam opponents. Barrett calls himself the Cosmic King.

Nikki Bella vs. Sasha Banks

We go to the ring and out comes WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella with Alicia Fox and Brie Bella. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks with Tamina Snuka and Naomi for this non-title match. Back and forth to start. Sasha with a 2 count and some mocking of Nikki. Nikki takes control and they lock back up. Nikki takes Sasha down for another pin attempt and then puts her knee to her back. Sasha ends up turning it around and sending Nikki to the floor as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and there’s more back and forth. Sasha with two pin attempts. Nikki goes for the Rack Attack but Naomi gets on the apron to provide distraction. Sasha takes advantage and applies the Banks Statement and Nikki taps out for the non-title win.

Winner: Sasha Banks

– We see Team PCB looking on backstage. Renee Young approaches for comments and Paige says their team will be taking care of business at SummerSlam. Charlotte says they’re going to do it with a little bit of Flair.

– Cole plugs Cena’s appearance on “Today” this Thursday morning.

– We get another video for Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker.

– Back from the break and Paul Heyman is in the ring. He says he’s the host for tonight’s Brock Lesnar homecoming. Heyman does the introduction and out comes The Beast to a big pop from the hometown crowd.

Lesnar makes his way out as streamers and confetti fall from the rafters. Lesnar takes a lap around the ring before making his way in. The music stops as fans stand for Lesnar and a “Suplex City” chant starts up. Heyman drops to his knees and praises Lesnar. Heyman sings his own version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” for Lesnar. Suddenly the bells toll and the lights go out. They come back on and Heyman is cowering in fear on the apron. Lesnar looks around and laughs but there is no Taker.

Fans chant “Suplex City” again as Heyman takes the mic. He asks if that’s the best Taker has. Heyman says Taker can bring God and the Devil to SummerSlam but Lesnar will take all three of them to Suplex City. Heyman goes on and on with his promo but the bell tolls and the lights go out again. This time they come back on and Taker is standing there. He kicks Lesnar with a low blow and fans boo. We see Heyman watching from the floor. Taker stalks Lesnar and nails a chokeslam when he gets up. Some fans pop but there are mostly boos for Taker it seems like. Lesnar gets up again and Taker nails a Tombstone piledriver to more boos. Taker drops to one knee over Lesnar as the lights go down and his music hits. Taker makes his exit and stops on the stage to look back at Lesnar recovering in the ring. Taker stops and faces the back before raising his fist in the air. RAW goes off the air.

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