Raw is War

New Orleans, Louisiana
September 10, 2018

results from www.wrestleview.com

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

We go live into the arena, and we are welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young. They put over Renee Young as the first woman to ever be a full time RAW commentator.

Dolph Ziggler’s music hits, and he’s followed by his partner, Drew McIntyre. The RAW Tag Team Champions stand on the stage when they’re joined by Braun Strowman. They make their way to the ring before being joined by Mojo Rawley, The Ascension, Drew Gulak, Mike Kanellis, AOP, Elias, Jinder Mahal, Sunil Singh, and Kevin Owens. Strowman, McIntyre, and Ziggler get in the ring while the rest surround the ringside area. A light “Get these hands” chant picks up. Ziggler says, “We told you so!” There is only one way to describe what happened to The Shield last week. Strowman says, “We beat them down, and like McIntyre said last week, we feast on their bloody carcasses.” McIntyre then introduces a video package highlighting the attack.

Video Package: The vicious assault on The Shield by Strowman, McIntyre, Ziggler, and the heels of the RAW roster.

Strowman says the only reason Roman Reigns has the Universal Championship around his waist is because he’s a coward and can’t handle business on his own. Reigns has his Hounds of Justice, but he’s got his Dogs of War. The Shield has been running rampant for far too long, but they found out last week that their strength in numbers failed to compare to anything that is his pack. Ziggler says the men around the ring made a choice. It was a hard choice, but they stood up to The Shield. They stood up to their bullying, for what was right, and for themselves. McIntyre asks the WWE Universe if they can feel that the balance of power has shifted. They are running wild and will set an example for everyone when they dismantle and dismember The B-Team in their RAW Tag Team Championship rematch. Strowman says that’ll be nothing compared to when Reigns gets these hands when they’re locked inside of Hell in a Cell.

The Shield’s music hits, and they make their way to the ring through the crowd. The bevy of heels at ringside greet them at the barricade, but The Shield quickly overwhelms them. Dean Ambrose has a duffelbag and brings out three axe handles. They attack the heel wrestlers before getting in the ring. Strowman, McIntyre, and Ziggler retreat from the ring and watch from the top of the ramp. The Shield stares them down from ringside.

Ronda Rousey teams with Natalya to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Triple H will also be live on the show.

We see video footage of The Bella Twins entering their locker room only to find it trashed by The Riott Squad. Nikki Bella will take on Ruby Riott, next.

-Commercial Break-

The Shield, still holding their axe handles, are arguing with New Orleans Police backstage. Acting General Manager Baron Corbin breaks it up. Corbin wants them competing on RAW, not destroying everything in their path. If The Shield doesn’t listen and vacate the premises, Roman Reigns will vacate his title and they’ll all be in jail for a long time. They angrily drop their axe handles, stare down a few cops, and walk off.

Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella vs. Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad

The bell rings, and they circle the ring before locking up. Riott applies a side headlock before hitting a takedown. Riott cinches in the headlock, but Nikki rolls her over for a two count. The crowd starts to chant for Nikki. Bella fights up and whips her off, but Riott shoulder blocks her down. Bella comes back with a back elbow for a one count. Nikki hits a snapmare, but Riott quickly gets into the ropes to keep her back. Riott gets to her feet, and they lock up. Bella powers her to the corner and hits some shoulder thrusts. Riott sidesteps Bella before hitting a takedown. Bella quickly takes her down and punches away at her. Riott gets out and knocks her out of the ring.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Riott applying a neck vice. Bella rights up, but Riott knees her in the face. Riott talks a little trash to Brie Bella at ringside before Nikki takes her down with a spinebuster. Bella hits a facebuster before hitting a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. Bella charges, but Riott kicks her in the midsection. Riott goes for a head-scissor into the turnbuckle, but Bella counters by slamming her down. Bella hits a springboard kick off the second rope for a near fall. Sarah Logan gets on the apron, so Bella forearms her off. Riott hits a reverse STO for a near fall. Riott gets her to her feet and kicks her in the face a few times. Riott goes for Eat Defeat, but Bella blocks it. Bella lifts her up, but Liv Morgan runs into the ring. Brie Bella quickly pulls her out of the ring. Bella then hits the Rack Attack 2.0 for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Nikki Bella

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey teams with Natalya to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre will also have a RAW Tag Team Championships match against former champions The B-Team. We’ll take a look at the encounter between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, next.

-Commercial Break-

A video package looks at all the great work WWE is doing with Connor’s Cure, which helps to combat pediatric cancer.

The Big Show is on the stage with the superstars of tomorrow. Big Show asks the crowd to give them a round of applause. In the ring, they fight to win matches. These superstars on the stage are far braver because they’re fighting for something bigger than any match. Big Show introduces the superstars on the stage: Super 4, Brayden The Punisher, Diva Supreme, Super Messiah, T-Vic The Skull Crusher, Charlie The Champ, The Quiet Storm, and Lae Lae The Unstoppable. Big Show says they’re proud of The Connor’s Cure Kids. There are many heroes around the world, just like those on this stage, that need help. Big Show asks the people around the world to join their fight.

We see the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the site of WrestleManias 30 and 34.

Video Package: The confrontation between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker

The Undertaker will take on Triple H on October 6 at WWE Super Show-Down in Australia.

Triple H will be live on the show later tonight.

Drake Maverick is backstage with AOP. Maverick says they will not be ignored or overlooked. Maverick tells them to not forget that and channel that rage so no one forgets the carnage caused by AOP. They’ll be in action, next.

-Commercial Break-

Nathan Bradley and Ronnie Ace vs. The Authors of Pain w/ Drake Maverick

Ronnie Ace starts off against Akam. Akam gorilla presses him and slams him on the top turnbuckle. Rezar then hits a fallaway slam that spikes Ace on his head. Rezar then scares Bradley off the apron. Akam comes out of nowhere and clotheslines him on the floor. Rezar tags in Akam, and he powerslams Ace onto Bradley. Rezar tags in, and they hit the Super Collider for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The Authors of Pain

Video Package: Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy inside Hell in a Cell

The New Orleans Police are keeping vigil outside of the arena in case The Shield shows up. A limousine drives up, and Triple H steps out of it. He’ll be out, next.

-Commercial Break-

Triple H responds to The Undertaker

Triple H makes his way to the ring to a great reception. A “Triple H” chant picks up. Triple H says the night after SummerSlam, he stood in the ring and said the era is back. Out of mutual respect, he’d face The Undertaker one more time in Australia. After that, legends came out of the woodwork to give their opinions, as well as polls. 81% think Undertaker will win. It’s not like Undertaker is ever an underdog. At this level, those opinions and predictions don’t bother you or mean anything. That’s why it was so shocking to him when Shawn Michaels came out here to give his opinion. It bothered one man so much: The Undertaker, The Phenom, The Dead Man. The Undertaker was bothered by Shawn Michaels’ opinion? Undertaker was so rattled that HBK said Triple H would beat him, he made an appearance. Undertaker was angry, agitated, bitter, and baiting Shawn Michaels with threats over his opinions. It made Triple H mad because he felt that The Undertaker lost respect for him and Shawn Michaels. After watching it back, Triple H realized that Undertaker lost respect for himself. To prove that, Undertaker isn’t here to tell Triple H anything to his face.

If you go back to those series of matches against The Undertaker at WrestleMania, he hasn’t been the same since. The Streak and the aura has gone away. Undertaker is now just a reputation. That series of matches were his last epic moments of greatness, and Undertaker blames them for the demise. Undertaker said one thing that was true: now it’s personal. In Melbourne, Australia, out of the last little bit of respect that he has for Undertaker, he’s going to put him down. Triple H just stares into the camera.

Replays are shown of The Shield making a comeback earlier in the night and attacking the lackeys of Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre. Corbin then told The Shield to leave the premises before bad things happen.

New Orleans Police are shown standing outside to make sure The Shield doesn’t come back.

Mick Foley will be on the show to talk about the 20th anniversary of his match against The Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell. Alexa Bliss is shown talking with Alicia Fox and Mickie James backstage.

RAW Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre make their way to the ring. The B-Team gets their contractually obligated rematch, next.

-Commercial Break-

RAW Tag Team Championships
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre (c’s) vs. The B-Team

Dolph Ziggler starts against Bo Dallas. Dallas applies a waistlock, and Ziggler gets to the ropes before elbowing him in the face. Ziggler quickly dropkicks him down and talks trash. Dallas makes a comeback with a neckbreaker for a two count. Dallas punches Ziggler down in the corner to the beat of “B-Team, B-Team, go, go, go.” Axel tags in and does the same before hitting a DDT for a near fall. Axel puts Ziggler in the corner, but Ziggler kicks him before turning him around. Ziggler talks trash, so Axel fights back. Axel punches Drew McIntyre on the apron. Ziggler then superkicks Axel. McIntyre angrily tags in, and he big boots Axel off the apron.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see McIntyre applying an arm bar to Axel. Axel fights up, but McIntyre takes him back down with a back suplex for a near fall. Ziggler is smiling on the apron. McIntyre stomps the hand and bends the fingers of Axel’s other hand. McIntyre talks some trash before kicking him in the face. Axel fights back and punches Ziggler off the apron. McIntyre quickly stops him. Ziggler superkicks Axel before McIntyre hits an inverted Alabama Slam. Dallas breaks up the pin. Ziggler sizes Axel up, but Axel blocks a superkick before catapulting him into the turnbuckle. Axel kicks Ziggler away and tags in Dallas.

Dallas hits a running forearm on Ziggler before hitting McIntyre. Dallas wildly takes Ziggler down with some kicks and tackles before covering him for a near fall. Dallas goes for a neckbreaker off the ropes, but McIntyre stops it. Dallas quickly gets an inside cradle, but McIntyre breaks it up. Axel runs in, but McIntyre takes him out with a Glasgow Kiss. Ziggler rakes the eyes of Dallas before tagging McIntyre in. They hit the Zig-Zag/Claymore Kick combo for the win.

Winners and still RAW Tag Team Champions: Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre

Ziggler and McIntyre celebrate with their championships when Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose run in through the crowd and attack them. Rollins and Ambrose take them out, but Ziggler and McIntyre escape before there’s any serious damage done.

Video Package: Mankind vs. Undertaker inside Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring 1998

Kevin Owens makes his entrance. He’ll be in acting, next.

-Commercial Break-

Acting General Manager Baron Corbin is angry with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose in his office. Corbin said he told The Shield to leave. Rollins and Ambrose say they’re the only ones there, so it’s not really The Shield. Corbin says he’ll have to have them arrested. Rollins makes fun of him for doing that. Corbin says he didn’t do that last week. It was out of his hands. Rollins accuses Corbin of falsifying a police report and sending goons out there with him. A Sheriff from New Orleans is brought in with a warrant for Corbin’s arrest. Corbin says this isn’t true. The Sheriff starts to read him the Miranda Rights, but Corbin stops him and asks to talk to Rollins privately. Ambrose and the Sheriff leave the office. Rollins soon joins them, laughing. They don’t need to press charges for the time being. Ambrose says he’ll call the officer next time he’s in jail.

Kevin Owens vs. Tyler Breeze

Kevin Owens attacks Tyler Breeze while he’s making his entrance. Owens throws him into the barricade before getting him in the ring. Breeze fights back and kicks him in the face to knock him out of the ring. Owens avoids a plancha and kicks him in the face. Owens then hits him with an Apron Powerbomb. This match never got underway.

Owens says he walked away from this place two weeks ago and it felt great. Baron Corbin begged him to come back. Corbin recognizes him as the true MVP of Monday Night RAW, something no one else gives him credit for. Owens says the one condition that brought him back was that he faces no repercussions for his actions on RAW. What he just did to this embarrassment is him just doing his job. No one sent him to attack The Shield. Owens was just doing his job. Owens can do whatever he wants whenever he wants. There is someone everyone can blame. His name is Bobby Lashley. Lashley is the sick maniac that intentionally injured his best friend Sami Zayn. Zayn has been injured for months and hasn’t been by his side. Owens quit because of Lashley, but he’s also the reason he came back. What he did to Lashley was only the beginning. This is still The Kevin Owens Show. On this show, you can expect three things from now on: anarchy, agony, and destruction. It’s all Lashley’s fault.

Video Package: AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable make their way to the ring. A pre-taped promo is shown where they showcase how well they’re getting along. They’ll be in action, next.

-Commercial Break-

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable vs. The Ascension

Gable immediately tags himself in and quickly hits Viktor with a German Suplex before connecting with a northern lights suplex. Gable hits a second German Suplex before knocking Konnor off the apron. Gable then hits a second northern lights suplex on Viktor. Konnor runs in and big boots Gable. Konnor tags in and takes him down before applying a chin lock. Gable fights up, but Konnor clubs him down. Viktor tags in. Viktor whips Konnor into Gable for an avalanche before Gable is sent into Viktor for a high knee. Viktor picks up a two count. Viktor applies a chin lock, but Gable fights out. Viktor stops him from making a tag to Roode. Gable then hits a back body drop.

Roode tags in, and he hits a clothesline and a back elbow on Viktor. Viktor reverses a rope, but Roode forearms him down. Roode knocks Konnor off the apron before running into a boot from Viktor. Roode hits a spinebuster and starts to do his “GLORIOUS” taunt, but Gable blind tags in. Gable hits a bridged German Suplex for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable

“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey will have her second RAW match tagging with Natalya to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James, next.

-Commercial Break-

Images are shown of all the awards WWE is nominated for at the E! Awards.

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre are not happy that Braun Strowman didn’t help them out with The Shield. Baron Corbin walks in and tells them that Louisiana operates under the Napoleonic Code. The good news is Ziggler and McIntyre will defend the RAW Tag Team Championships this Sunday against Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. They want one good reason why he decided that. Corbin has a good reason, but it’s also his first PPV as Acting General Manager. It has to be huge. Stephanie McMahon wants it that way. McMahon also wants Strowman to take the title inside Hell in a Cell. Strowman says he’s going “Big Dog hunting.”

Alexa Bliss and Mickie James w/ Alicia Fox vs. Natalya and “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Before the bell rings, Alexa Bliss shoves Natalya. It’ll be Alexa Bliss and Natalya starting out. Natalya quickly takes her down with a side Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Natalya applies a waistlock, but Bliss elbows her in the face. Bliss whips Natalya to the corner, but Natalya sidesteps her. Natalya spikes her on her tailbone, steps on her, and hits a low dropkick for a two count. Ronda Rousey is tagged in, and Bliss immediately tags in Mickie James.

They circle the ring, and James applies a waistlock. Rousey quickly breaks out and hits a short-arm clothesline. Natalya tags back in, and they hit a double-team snap suplex for a two count. Natalya lifts her up, but James tries to roll her up. Natalya quickly rolls through and tries for a Sharpshooter, but James gets to the ropes. James quickly kicks her in the face for a near fall. James chokes her on the ropes, and Bliss gets a cheap shot in. James drags her to the middle of the ring for a near fall. James applies a chin lock, but Natalya soon fights up. James quickly clotheslines her down before stepping on the hair and pulling her arms up. Bliss tags in, and they slams Natalya down. Bliss hits Insult To Injury for a near fall. Natalya shouts out for Rousey, but Bliss kicks her. Bliss teases an arm bar, but Natalya rolls her up. Bliss kicks out and quickly clotheslines her down. Bliss then walks up to Rousey and slaps her. Rousey just turns and glares at her. Rousey chases her around the ring. Bliss gets back into the ring, and Natalya grabs her. Rousey then hits the ropes, and they hit The Hart Attack. Bliss rolls out of the ring while we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see James applying a body scissor to Natalya. James turns it into a guillotine. Natalya powers up and slams her into the corner. Natalya elbows her in the face, but James quickly pulls her down by the hair. James quickly powers her into the corner, and Bliss tags in. Bliss stomps her before James chokes with her boot. Bliss puts Natalya in the corner and stomps her down again. The referee backs her up before she taunts Rousey. Natalya quickly comes out of the corner and takes her down.

Rousey tags in, and the crowd pops as Rousey gloats at Bliss. Bliss gets out of the ring and takes advantage of a distraction to send Rousey into the barricade. Bliss sends her into the ring apron before getting her in the ring for a one count. Rousey’s ribs were injured last week on RAW. James tags in, and she wildly kicks at Rousey’s ribs. Bliss tags back in and kicks the ribs before hitting a snapmare and kicking her in the ribs again. Bliss stretches her out a bit before kicking her in the ribs again. James tags in, and Bliss stretches Rousey. James hits a baseball slide to the midsection for a near fall. James then applies a chin lock. A “Ronda” chant picks up. Rousey hits a judo hip toss to break the hold. James knocks Natalya off the apron and knees Rousey. Rousey gets fired up and makes a comeback, knocking Bliss off the apron. Rousey jabs James back to the corner. James fights out, but Rousey takes her down with some judo throws. Rousey stares at Bliss and applies the arm bar for the submission victory.

Winners by Submission: Natalya and “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey

Rousey and Natalya celebrate in the ring before Bliss kicks her in the ribs to take her down. Rousey angrily stares at her.

Video Package: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell

Elias is backstage trying some water when he spits it into a stagehand’s face. Braun Strowman comes around looking for Roman Reigns and grabs a stagehand, lifting him up. Strowman then throws him into some pipes before continuing to look for Reigns.

-Commercial Break-

Ronda Rousey and Natalya are backstage with Charly Caruso. Rousey says her ribs are fine. She’s never pulled out of a fight in her life. On her worst day, she’s still the best.

“Ladies and gentlemen… Elias.”

Elias strums a chord and greets the crowd. Elias puts over New Orleans as a music capital, but he’s going to perfect it. Elias plays a riff. Elias has one question for everyone: Who wants to walk with Elias? Elias makes fun of the New Orleans Saints and says his song can save them.

Mick Foley’s music hits, and the WWE Hall of Famer makes his way to the ring to a nice reception. A loud “Foley” chant picks up. Foley says he’s a very big fan of Elias. As a vocalist, he has a great voice. As a guitar player, he’s not the best, but he’s very good. As a lyricist, he doesn’t have a sincere bone in his body. Elias says he knows why Foley is out here. Foley wants to talk about the 20 year anniversary of his Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker. Elias says he was a child once. Elias was in the crowd to watch Foley in that match. Foley’s career was never the same. Elias prayed he would stay down, but he got up and got Chokeslammed through the cell. Foley’s life was never the same again. Elias would be lying if that wasn’t a special moment to him, and Foley was special to him. That was then. This is now. Foley is standing in the ring with Elias, while Elias is standing in the ring with a broken man. Foley has been singing the same song for twenty years and can’t remember the lyrics. A “Mr. Socko” chant picks up.

Foley says he’s not here to talk about the past. Foley is here to talk about the future. Elias says he’s talking to the future. Foley says Elias could be a future WWE Universal Champion if he keeps his head straight. Foley is talking about the near future. Foley asked Stephanie McMahon to not let him be the guy on the couch watching at home. He wants to be involved. McMahon laughed in his face. Foley then reminded her of a time when he was thrown off the cell, a stretcher came out, but had nowhere to go. They had to lift the cell to get it to him. People thought the match was over, but the magic was in the air. Foley wants to feel as alive as the night when he was almost dead. Foley begged her not to shut him out. Six nights from now, he won’t be keeping time, ringing bells, or at ringside. When the door shuts on Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, he’ll be inside with them as the Special Guest Referee! Bang Bang!

Elias says that was special, but he needs to take a piece of advice from him. Foley needs to shut his mouth and go back to where he came from. Foley gets in the ring and in his face. Foley says he hasn’t been here in 18 months. He’s Mick Foley, so Elias will listen to what he has to say. Stephanie McMahon allowed him to make one match for old time’s sake. Elias will be in action against this man: Finn Balor.

-Commercial Break-

Braun Strowman is still looking for Roman Reigns backstage, angrily throwing objects in frustration.

Elias vs. Finn Balor

Elias starts off the match taking control of Balor, but Balor soon comes back with a dropkick to the face. Balor kicks the legs, but Elias punches him back. Elias sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Elias then whips him hard into the corner. Elias knees him in the back and applies a nerve hold. Balor tries to fight up, but Elias squeezes harder to keep him down. Elias gets out, boots him back, and chops the chest. Balor takes him down and stomps the chest. Balor takes him down with a Sling Blade before charging, but Elias hits a high knee to the face.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Elias stopping a Balor comeback and taking him down for a two count. Elias puts him in the corner and lifts him up, but Balor fights out and takes him down with a falling elbow for a two count. Elias avoids a double stomp and hits a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Elias chops the chest and puts him on the top rope and chops the chest. Balor fights back and knocks him off the ropes. Elias avoids a Coup de Grace and tries for the Drift Away, but Balor gets an inside cradle for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Finn Balor

Footage is shown from earlier in the day of Bobby Lashley weightlifting with his ribs taped. Lio Rush is giving him some motivation. Lashley slaps him on the shoulder and sends him flying. Lashley says, “My man!” Rush then continues to “motivate.”

Braun Strowman is backstage with Charly Caruso, but he steals the microphone. Strowman asks her where Roman Reigns is, but she doesn’t know. She says if he goes out to the ring, Reigns might find him.

-Commercial Break-

The Undertaker will be live on RAW next week.

Braun Strowman calls out Roman Reigns

Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring screaming for Roman Reigns. Strowman grabs a microphone and tells Reigns to face him like a man. Reigns doesn’t come out, so Strowman calls him a coward. Unfortunately for Reigns, there will be nowhere for him to hide inside Hell in a Cell. Reigns will be just a man locked inside with a monster. If Mick Foley gets in his way, the injuries he sustained at the hands of The Undertaker twenty years ago will look like a paper cut compared to what he does to him. At Hell in a Cell, he’s taking Reigns’ Universal Championship, sending him to hell, and he’s never coming back.

Roman Reigns’ music hits, and Strowman doesn’t know where he is. Strowman then sees him standing on the commentary table. Reigns greets him with a Superman Punch before punching away at him. Strowman shoves him into the LED stage walls before head-butting him down. Strowman clears the commentary table before talking trash to Reigns. Strowman punches him in the face and puts him on the table. Strowman gets him to his feet, but Reigns gives him a Samoan Drop off the table and through the stage! Reigns crawls out of the hole and grabs his championship to boos from the crowd. Reigns holds up the WWE Universal Championship while his music plays.