Last night at Battleground, there was a major return and a major reunion; both will have an immediate affect on Raw tonight as well as the next month-and-a-bit, at least! I won’t spoil for anybody who wants to be surprised reading this report, so I will just start recapping.

Monday Night Raw TV Report for July 20th, 2015

Introduction Segment: Video Promo

The ending events of Battleground are re-aired in a montage.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

Gong! The most-feared music plays and The Undertaker eerily walks to the ring. “I stand here tonight a relentless, remorseless, cold-blooded, vengeful, grim reaper,” he opens. “Streaks are made to be broken; that is the painful truth. But Lesnar, you had to continuously, week after week, month after month, remind everyone of your greatest accomplishment. And now, I say, ‘enough.’ You have taken what was once was smouldering ashes and turned it into a raging inferno. Last night was my true resurrection. You see, Lesnar, you can’t kill what won’t die. Unleashed forces will now set our careers towards new destinies; and I will challenge your mortality. I will conquer what has yet to be conquered. And in the end, just like all living things, be it man, or beast, you will rest…in…peace.”

Segment #3: Office Promo

Triple H and Stephanie are gushing over the comeback of The Undertaker. They make it official that “The Deadman” will take on Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, and then HHH says he will tell Heyman and Lesnar not to show up as they don’t want anything to ruin it.

Later tonight, United States Champion John Cena, Cesaro, and Randy Orton will face Kevin Owens, Rusev, and Sheamus in Six-Man action; and up next, Charlotte wrestles Brie Bella!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single – Charlotte (with Paige and Becky Lynch) VS. Brie Bella (with Divas Champion Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox)

(Team B.A.D. [NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, Naomi, and Tamina] are on commentary.) Elbow/collar tie-up begins, with Brie taking Charlotte down with a side headlock. Charlotte works out of it but gets a shoulder-block off the ropes. Brie pie-faces Charlotte, but is given a shoulder block in return. She leaps over the ropes with a plancha, but all of Team Bella moves and Charlotte lands on the mat.

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Charlotte tries to scoop-slam Brie, but Bella wiggles out and repeatedly kicks Charlotte then plants her to the canvas. 1 – 2 – Charlotte gets her shoulder up! She rolls up Brie for a near-fall, and then rams her back-first into the corner; Brie fires back with a missile dropkick off the turnbuckle for a close one!

Charlotte catches Brie off a kick, then chops her repeatedly and fiercely! After knocking Team Bella off the apron, Charlotte spears Brie and clutches on the Figure-8 (Figure-4 with bridge), forcing Brie to tap-out!

Winner via Submission: Charlotte (with Paige and Becky Lynch)

Also announced for tonight is Luke Harper, who reunited again with Bray Wyatt, going against Roman Reigns!

Segment #4: Office Promo

Triple H is on the phone with Paul Heyman, arguing with him about the situation with The Undertaker and is ordering Lesnar to not appear on Raw tonight. During this, The Miz had walked in and tried to get HHH’s attention. He complains about The Big Show knocking him out at Battleground, which is the least of Triple H’s problems, so he books Miz to fight Show tonight.

Commercials.

Match #2: Tag-Team – Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) (with El Torito) VS. Tag-Team Champions The Prime Time Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young)

Young and a Matadore start, with both one-upping the other. The Matadores take control for a bit over Darren, particularly with a double-Russian Legsweep for two! Young counters a run with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex then gets the hot-tag to Titus!

Titus cleans the ring of the Matadores, until The New Day walk to the stage. They cut a promo that distracts Titus and gives this one to Los Matadores after a Backstabber!

Winners via Pinfall: Los Matadores (with El Torito)

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Match #3: Single – The Miz VS. The Big Show

Miz tries to escape early, but Show picks him up from the floor and tosses him over the ropes back into the ring! Big totally dominates and dives off the second turnbuckle with an elbow drop for the finish!

Winner via Pinfall: The Big Show

Post-match, Show cuts a promo declaring his chase for Intercontinental Champion Ryback and desire to get the title.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Triple H and Stephanie spot Paul Heyman backstage and remind him of giving Lesnar a break. Heyman assures them Brock is not in attendance, and only wants to give everyone Lesnar’s answer about SummerSlam. The Authority agree, but don’t entirely believe him, so they look to security and the boys.

Commercials.

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

The Authority are speaking with bunch of the male wrestlers about needing their help in “protecting” SummerSlam.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

Paul Heyman is in the ring and reviews why Brock Lesnar is not the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. It is not because the champion, Seth Rollins, beat him fair-and-square; it is because of the interference of The Undertaker.

“And since The Undertaker wants to make this personal, allow me. My client, Brock Lesnar, conquered your undefeated streak at WrestleMania!’ “You can sell your soul to the devil, but your ass belongs to Brock Lesnar!” The bell tolls again and The Undertaker appears in the squared circle when the lights come back on! Heyman is terrified until Brock Lesnar charges out!

“The Deadman” and “The Beast” engage in an enormous punch-up around the arena until wrestlers and security are able to split them! Undertaker has the greatest look of “I’m going to kill you” in his eyes.

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Segment #8: Backstage

As Brock Lesnar is walking seemingly guarded by a group of male wrestlers, The Undertaker rushes him and the melee continues! Following a good few minutes of fighting, the two rivals are broken up again and Brock is lead away in restraints by police.

Commercials.

Segment #9: Office Promo

Triple H and Stephanie are talking about Lesnar and ‘Taker when WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins walks in. he tells them he’s going to the ring later to tell everyone his thoughts on Brock and Undertaker.

Segment #10: Video Promo

“I am never alone. My family stands by my side, because they know I am more than ‘just a man.’” Bray Wyatt threatens that the fans will “burn” for being on Roman Reigns’ side. Luke Harper is behind him and says that it will continue “brick by brick.”

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Match #4: Single – Luke Harper (with Bray Wyatt) VS. Roman Reigns

Prior to the bout starting, Dean Ambrose walks out and stands in Reigns’ corner. Lockup between the two, in which neither gain an advantage. Roman slugs Luke with right hands to the corner, then a 10-punch against the turnbuckle. He clotheslines Harper, but Luke hits back with a chop to Reigns’ neck.

Harper is quickly put to the outside, then they measure each other up again. Another lockup ensues, but Roman gets the upper-hand, literately, this time. Harper boots Reigns out of the corner a bit later, but his suplex attempt is reversed into one by Roman.

Commercials.

Luke now has Reigns in a grounding headlock, then works over his left arm with hits. He hurls Roman to the floor harshly, but he rolls back in the ring at nine. Reigns’ left arm appears to be hurt, as he pounds away with his right. He manages to t-bone/back suplex Harper, but is tortured more when Luke slams the injured arm into the ring post.

They slug back-and-forth, then Harper misses a running boot and tumbles to the mat below. Back in the ring, Roman is fired up with right arms and clotheslines, including a leaping forearm! He blocks a kick, then Samoan Drops him! He wants to hit Luke with the Drive-By front-dropkick, but Bray blocks his way. (Yes, that rhymes, on purpose!) Both Harper and Wyatt are set up on the apron, so Reigns hits them both with the Dive-By! When Roman and Luke get back in the ring, Wyatt pulls Reigns out, causing a dq.

Winner via Disqualification: Roman Reigns

Post-match, Wyatt and Harper go at it with Ambrose and Reigns; Dean and Roman stand tall in the ring as Luke and Bray retreat to the back.

Up next, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will be out.

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Segment #11: Arena Promo

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins has a smile on his face that you can’t surgically remove, and gloats over himself still being champion. Rollins lists Lesnar’s accomplishments, but doesn’t care about him. “I am the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and the most under-appreciated champion in the history of the WWE!” Seth berates the fans for still not giving their approval to him despite all he has done to become champion and still has to do as champion. “Keeping this around my waist is what matters because I am the ‘be all and end all’ of champions in this industry.”

Feeling he was “robbed” at Battleground, Rollins asks ring announcer Lillian Garcia to enter and officially announce that he is still WWE World Heavyweight Champion; she obliges. United States Champion John Cena interrupts. He talks about both of them being crowned champions on the same night (at Wrestlemania XXXI), but the different paths they have taken since. Cena has defended his title almost week-after-week while Rollins has slithered away from his challengers and used nefarious means to keep his championship.

Seth retorts that Cena puts his championship against just about anyone, while Rollins defends his against those who “earn it.” He insinuates that Cena only puts his title on the line because he wants to pander to the audience even though a majority dislike him.

Rollins goes to walk away, but Cena calls him out again. “I’m right here, the champ is right here,” he bellows. And judging by these people, who do matter by the way, it’s not the title that makes the man, but the man that makes the title.”

Both men take off their shirts and glare at each other, but once again, Seth doesn’t have any of Cena and backs up the aisle with his WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Commercials.

Match #5: Tag-Team – Paige and Becky Lynch (with Charlotte) VS. Team B.A.D. (NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and Naomi) (with Lana)

(Team Bella are on commentary.) Becky and Sasha begin with an elbow/collar tie-up, then Becky gives Sasha a couple armdrags into an armbar. Sasha tags in Naomi, who is taken down by Lynch and given legdrops. Paige is in and fall-away slams Naomi; Sasha and Becky wrestle shortly after with Becky kicking Banks in the corner, but Sasha capitalizes on a distraction from Naomi and trips up Lynch. She mount-punches Lynch.

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Banks and Naomi are completely controlling Becky until she fights back, kicking Sasha off and making the tag to Paige! “The Diva Of Tomorrow” is all over Naomi, locking her in the P.T.O. until Banks breaks it up. Tamina tries to get involved but is knocked off the apron by Paige, but Naomi puts Paige down. Sasha is tagged in and turns Paige into the Bank Statement hold for the victory!

Winners via Submission: Team B.A.D. (NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and Naomi, with Tamina)

Commercials.

Segment #12: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is with Lana, who tells us that Dolph Ziggler is recovering at home from his attack by Rusev two weeks ago on Raw. Lana then looks stunned, as Summer Rae walks in, dressed almost like her. Rusev also joins, kissing Summer to make Lana jealous. Summer then slaps Lana and walks off.

Cesaro and Randy Orton make their entrances for the Six-Man main-event, next!

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Match #6: Six-Man Tag-Team – Cesaro, Randy Orton, and United States Champion John Cena VS. Kevin Owens, Rusev, and Sheamus (with Summer Rae)

Cena and Kevin appear to start, but Owens tags in Rusev before touching Cena. Rusev is dropped with a shoulder tackle, but then slams Cena down. Owens is now in and punches and kicks away at John. He goes for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Cena leaps over and traps Kevin in the S.T.F. Owens gets out of it and DDT’s Cena, but misses the Cannonball Splash in the corner! Both men crawl to their corners and tag in Cesaro and Sheamus, respectively. Cesaro crossbodies Sheamus from the turnbuckle, and goes for the Cesaro Swing but is kicked down by Rusev.

Commercials.

Sheamus is now wearing down Cesaro with a grounding chinlock, but Cesaro struggles out of it and turns it into a suplex! Owens back in, but Cesaro gains an advantage over him. Sheamus is in again, and then Cesaro and Owens a bit later. Sheamus comes in and argues with Owens, claiming he hit him. Sheamus shoves Owens to the mat and walks away with his briefcase. Owens gets mad at Rusev, who was pushed to the floor. He slaps his chest and calls him an “idiot,” then kicks him and walks away, leaving Rusev in a 3-on-1 situation.

Lana now marches to the ring and catfights with Summer Rae; this turned Rusev’s attention, who is then Attitude Adjusted, Swung, and R.K.O.’ed. Orton covers to receive the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Cesaro, Randy Orton, and United States Champion John Cena

Cena, Orton, and Cesaro celebrate to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

Coming off a pretty-good Pay-Per-View, unfortunately, this was just an okay Raw. It started out very hot, but ended backwards – more on that below.

Excellence: promos by Undertaker, The Big Show, Paul Heyman, Bray Wyatt/Luke Harper, Seth Rollins, Lana, and John Cena. All had the passion and/or were very believable (especially ‘Taker, Show, Heyman, and Cena).

I quite enjoyed the commentary provided by the women in both matches; I must admit, I thought it would be kind of bland, but they really have stepped up their mike work too! Of course, the matches themselves were superb!

Glad to see The Wyatt Family back together; they split apart for no reason and shouldn’t have ever been. Hopefully Erik Rowan is going to be healed soon and they can be in full-force again! Also, I’m liking the potential Ambrose/Reigns VS. Wyatt Family at SummerSlam too!

The clash between Undertaker and Lesnar was epic and I’m greatly looking forward to their match at SummerSlam, however…

Bogus: it should’ve concluded Raw! This would’ve been a tremendous and suspenseful last segment, much like the Nexus/NXT invasion in June 2010. I think opening the show with ‘Taker was great, but they should’ve saved it from Heyman’s speech onward until the end; that would’ve been a fantastic completion!

I’m not entirely sure yet on what looks to be a Cena/Rollins match at SummerSlam for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. They had a great promo, which did sell me a little, but still, since Cena is the U.S. Champion, he should be focused there and not on the WWE Title picture. I would prefer him to have that title match at SummerSlam, in a Fatal-4-Way with Rusev, Owens, and Cesaro, like the last few weeks had been teasing. I also didn’t like the Six-Man being the final match; as written above, it should’ve been switched around with the ‘Taker/Lesnar scuffle.

While great matches, I still hold by my statements from last week that the new “Divas Revolution” should’ve been held off until next week. With them wrestling twice tonight and once last night at Battleground, I fear they’re going to run through all the matches/combinations before SummerSlam, and that would leave no intrigue or anticipation on some matchups we have not seen yet.

Where were Adrian Neville and Stardust? They’re tied one-a-piece in their feud, so I feel like they were missing a great opportunity for the rubber match tonight.

All-in-all, this was a subpar episode, which is not good twenty-four hours after a decently-hot PPV. Hopefully they turn it around again in the next two weeks. I am away next week, so there will be no Raw Report, until August 3rd. As always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!