Raw was a pre recording on the USA Network last night because it emanated live from Liverpool, England, earlier in the day. The UK crowd is always unpredictable and can be a problem for WWE. Give them a reason and they take over, WWE gave them a reason. WWE delayed the launch of WWE Network over there, 20 minutes before it was supposed to launch. The Liverpool crowd let the WWE know their anger. The theme of the night was summed up for them in all the chants of “Where’s our Network?!”
John Cena music hit to begin the show. Cena came down to Liverpool singing John Cena Sucks to the tune of Cena’s theme. Cena talked about nobody wanting to be on his team because the Authority keeps trying to wipe them out like Zack Ryder. Ryder got wiped out after one tweet. Yeah, that’s it John, Authority is afraid of Zack Ryder. John then mentions that he got Swagger to agree to join Team Cena. Rybacks music hits after Cena calls him out. As soon as Ryback tried to talk, the Authority music plays.
As soon as the Authority appeared, the “Wheres our Network?!” chants began. Triple H and Steph cut great Heel promos, Steph even managed to get the English crowd to boo God Save the Queen. Cena pulled a few one liners out as well. Called Mark Henry who came down with the Authority “Sell out Sexual Chocolate” and called team Authority Wankers. The promo ended with Ryback saying he isn’t afraid of the Authority but John Cena’s name isn’t on the bottom of his checks, then Ryback hits Cena with a Spinebuster.
Seth Rollins defeats Jack Swagger by Curb Stomp
After a good match the finish saw Rollins try for a knee off the apron but Swagger countered and applied the Patriot Lock.The new stooges distracted Swagger which lead to Rollins throwing Swagger into the ring post. Rollins brought Swagger back into the ring and connected with the Curb Stomp to get the win. After the match Rollins hit Swagger with another Curb Stomp which left Swagger laid out.
Next we got a promo from Dean talking about he and Bray both having skeletons and demons. Dean said that they both are going to go down together. This was recorded, Dean wasn’t there for the live crowd. That was followed by an interaction with Kane and Ryback in the back with Kane telling Ryback to prove himself later tonight and it planted seeds of a Kane vs Ryback showdown.
Paige defeated Alicia Fox by Rampaige
Paige easily got the pop of the night, her home country went nuts for her. This match was another decent one, Alicia in ring ability is very underrated. Fox held her own in this one but was fighting a losing battle against Paige in Paiges country. Paige hit Alicia with a super kick and then a Rampaige for the win.
Cut to the back with Rusev and Lana walking toward the ring, when Steph stopped and asked about Rusev joining Team Authority. Lana said they are still thinking and brings up politics. Steph told her there are no politics in the WWE. Sure there isn’t Steph. This is followed by another New Day vignette from Xavier Woods.
Back from commercial, Triple H and Steph are watching Vince’s announcement from last week. They have a corny moment just needing each other and they kiss.
The ring is set up for the US Title Ceremony. After the typical Lana promo about Rusev winning the title. 2 guys in suits were with them. One of them said the Kremlin was proud of Rusev. Rusev wanted the Russian National Anthem played but out came Rusev to crash the party and get his rematch.
Rusev defeated Sheamus by Count-out to retain
The crowd wasn’t into this match at all which was lame because it was actually good. Sheamus tried for the Brogue Kick late in the match. Sheamus missed the Brogue Kick when Rusev ducked. Sheamus hit a diving cross body on Rusev. They spilled out to the floor. Mercury and Noble were at ring side, Mercury jumped on Sheamus back when they were outside and Sheamus got counted out.
After the commercial they cut to the back, Steph asks Lana and Rusev again if they will join Team Authority. Steph tells Lana if she scratches Stephs back then Steph will return the favor. Lana accepts the spot in Team Authority for Rusev. Steph also tells Lana to get one thing clear, Steph doesn’t give a damn about Putin.
Cut back to the locker room where Rollins is talking to Ryback. Rollins tell Ryback not to worry about Kane he doesn’t have to take orders from Kane. Rollins is the team captain not Kane.
Miz and Mizdow defeats Los Matadores
Miz and Mizdow had a 3rd come out with them, Mini Mizdow! Hornswoggle dressed like Miz. Miz eventually tried hit a roll up on one of the Matadores but they kicked out. Diego later hit a suplex on Miz into the ring, Miz rolled through and pinned Diego. Mizdow held on to Miz foot so Diego couldn’t kick out.
Backstage Cena and Dolph talking. Cena says that Swagger is out, so Cena will understand if Dolph wants to back out. Dolph refuses, he says he wants Authority out of power. Triple H comes in to tell Cena he is banned from ringside during Ziggler match with Mark Henry. Then sings Another One Bites the Dust to make fun of Jack Swagger. This was followed by another vignette of the eyes which is so obviously Luke Harper.
Dolph Ziggler defeats Mark Henry by DQ
This was short and got to the point. Ziggler and Henry spilled to the floor. Henry threw Ziggler into the ringside barrier. Henry tried to run Ziggler through the barrier but Dolph moved. Henry grabbed a chair and he hit Ziggler with it and the referee calls for the bell. After the match Henry started to beat down Dolph some more. Before Mark could really hurt Dolph, Big Show music plays. Henry tries to hit Show with the steps but Show rips them out of his hands. Henry bailed after, then Show announced he’s joining Team Cena.
Another New Day vignette is shown but this time it’s Kofi Kingston.
Cut to back where Dolph, Cena are talking to Big Show. They welcome show to team Cena, Cena then says he needs to find 2 more people. Sheamus interrupts and says only one. Sheamus joins Team Cena.
AJ Lee defeats Brie Bella by Black Widow
This was a non title match. It went quick and it wasn’t good. AJ applied the Black Widow. Nikki beat down AJ after the match and stood over here holding the Divas Title.
We got of the war vet walking on Smackdown. Very cool and emotional stuff.
Back to the spot Ryback apparently has moved from in the 2 and half hours of the show so far. Henry came in and planted more seeds of Ryback not joining Team Authority by bringing up Henry beating him at Wrestlemania
Tyson Kidd defeats Adam Rose by Sharpshooter
Erick Rowan eventually came down to the ring goes right past the Rosebuds. Rowan yelled “Shes not here!” and left. The bunny stood on the ring post for some reason but Rose told him to get down. Rose yelled at the bunny which lead to a long enough to distraction for Kidd to apply the Sharpshooter for the win. Afterwards Adam Rose hit the bunny again and left him in the ring by himself.
Cut to the back again, and Team Authority are showing they aren’t a cohesive unit by talking behind Ryback’s back and Ryback walking in on them. Seeds planted everywhere.
A Bray Wyatt promo is shown. This too is recorded because Bray wasn’t there live. Bray said a bunch of stuff, Bray is started to make less sense every promo.
The announce team introduces us to Paul Heyman and Joey Styles who are at the WWE offices. They promote the ECW Exposed show that is going to be shown after Raw, on the WWE Network.
John Cena defeated Ryback by DQ
Yes, it was another DQ finish to the main event of Raw. Through out the match Kane kept looking more and more frustrated. At one point Ryback was thrown into Kane. After that they fought more on the outside. This match wasn’t bad. The finish saw both men going back and forth in the ring until Kane had enough and attacked Cena to cause the DQ. Ryback and Kane get into it. Rollins comes in to break it up but Ryback hit both Rollins and Kane. Kane hits Ryback with a big boot. Cena tries to help but the rest of team Authority jump in the ring and beat down Cena.
Sheamus and Big Show came out individually because you know that’s the smart thing to do against the group. The faces get beat down until Ryback gets back involved and hit a Shell Shock on Kane. Ryback then walks away. We cut to the back with the Authority watching. Then Ziggler is thrown into the couch, Steph and Triple H look shocked. The Power Couple looks up and Luke Harper is standing there. Luke says he’s a team player and show goes off the air.
Decent Raw with most of the participants announced. WWE seems to try harder in front of hostile crowds.
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