It is sad that I have to write about another loss of a great so soon, with the passing of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper last week. As I have done before, I will not give this Raw episode a title or offer my thoughts on the show itself; I will just give my memories of Roddy and what I think he meant to wrestling.

Monday Night Raw TV Report for August 3rd, 2015

Introduction Segment: In Memoriam

A picture of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is on screen, with “In Memory, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, 1954 – 2015.” The roster is on stage and the bell is rung ten times to commemorate his passing. A video tribute airs highlighting his career and life, then the fans chant “Rowdy, Rowdy, Rowdy…” live back in the arena and the screen fades to black for a break.

The regular Raw video then plays and the pyro goes off. Michael Cole welcomes us to San Jose, and announces a Six-Man Tag-Team main-event, featuring Randy Orton teaming up with Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose to take on Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Sheamus. Cole also introduces John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Byron Saxton on commentary, then the music of the WWE World Heavyweight Champion plays.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

Seth Rollins walks out and takes pleasure in breaking John Cena’s nose last week on Raw. He says the minute it happened, the match should’ve stopped and he should’ve been given the United States Championship, but he kept going and lost. He admits that was his mistake, but wants one more chance. Rollins proposes that they wrestle again at SummerSlam, this time with both the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and the United States Championship on the line.

Seth then promotes the first-ever WWE World Heavyweight Championship Open Challenge Match, starting now.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Seth Rollins (Champion) VS. ??? (Challenger)

At first, interview Jo Jo is in the ring and asks Rollins if this is real. He says he has gotten clearance from The Authority for the Open Challenge, but his opponent must be under 6 feet and less than 200 pounds. She insinuates that he’s talking about El Torito, and he agrees. Torito’s music plays, then it changes to Adrian Neville’s.

Lockup and mat-wrestling trades begin. Adrian catches a kick from Seth and sweeps his other leg down. Seth gets Neville in the corner and starts the punishment with kicks and elbows. Neville flips over the other corner and sends Seth to the outside with a hurricanrana running off the ropes. He follows with the Tornado Plancha, then does another twisting splash from the top turnbuckle to the floor.

Ads.

Rollins is back in control after launching Neville into the announce table. He slingshots Adrian off the ropes and wears him down with a rear chinlock. Neville gets out of it, flipping out of a backdrop and giving a mid-spin-kick to Rollins’ gut. Seth hits a running elbow in the corner and goes to dive off the top turnbuckle, but Neville counters with a dropkick. He then gives Rollins a reverse hurricanrana for a two-count, and almost takes it again with a German-Suplex pin.

“The Man That Gravity Forgot” sets up the WWE World Heavyweight Champion for the Red Arrow, but Rollins counters and goes for the Pedigree. Neville reverses into a jackknife cover for a very close call. He then rockets Rollins off the turnbuckle with a top-turnbuckle hurricanrana and goes to the opposite one, soaring with the Red Arrow. 1 – 2 – Rollins’ foot is on the ropes, after an extremely close count. He tries another Red Arrow but Rollins moves, then is planted with the Pedigree as Rollins receives the hard-fought victory.

Winner via Pinfall and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins

Commercials.

Match #2: Eight-Man Tag-Team – Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) (with El Torito) and The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) VS. The Ascension (Viktor and Connor) and The New Day (Big E. and Kofi Kingston (with New Day partner Xavier Woods)

(Note: Tag-Team Champions The Prime Time Players are on commentary.) Kalisto and Kofi start out with flips, then Kalisto puts Kofi into the middle rope. Fernando is in and works over Kingston, then tags in Diego. They double-team with a knee-to-the-face, and Diego springboards from the middle rope with a back-press into jackknife cover for two. Viktor gets tagged and worked over by Diego. He switches a monkey-flip in the corner and pushes Diego off the top turnbuckle.

Ads.

Kofi is back in and wears down Diego with a arm/headlock hold, then dropkicks him. Viktor returns and gives Diego a jumping fist drop. He tosses Diego as he tried the tag, then knees him in the head. Diego counters with a backdrop and tags in Sin Cara. Kofi is also in but is almost taken out with a springboard moonsault.

The bout breaks down with everyone going at it. Xavier hops the apron and distracts Kalisto, allowing Kingston to hit Kalisto with the Trouble In Paradise Spin-Kick and give his team a W.

Winners via Pinfall: The Ascension (Viktor and Connor) and The New Day (Big E. and Kofi Kingston (with New Day partner Xavier Woods)

Becky Lynch, Paige, and Charlotte are walking backstage and will be out next.

Commercials.

Match #3: Tag-Team – Charlotte and Becky Lynch (with Paige) VS. The Bella Twins (Divas Champion Nikki and Brie (with Alicia Fox)

Brie and Becky begin, switching holds, then Becky bridges out of a press by Brie. Lynch gives Bella three legdrops and Charlotte follows up with a knee drop. Nikki tags in and kicks Charlotte in the head hard from the apron.

Brie is in and knees Charlotte repeatedly in the back. She rips at her with a chinlock, then locks on a sleeper. Charlotte drops and crawls to Becky for the hot-tag. Lynch clotheslines Brie and turns a snap/fisherman’s suplex into the Dis-Armer Armbar. Brie gets to the ropes for the break, then the Bellas double-team her.

Ads.

Nikki is back in and controlling Becky. She drives Lynch’s face into her knee for a two-count and tags in her sister. Brie brings Becky out of the corner with a bulldog and near-fall, then sets her up against the bottom rope for a running knee-to-the-face. She wears Becky town with an arm and face-stretch hold, but Becky gets out of it and tags in Charlotte. The second-generation diva spears Nikki, but then is given a spinebuster. She kicks out, counters Nikki and forces her to give in to the Figure-8.

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

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Jo Jo inquires Team B.A.D. about The Bellas, Paige, Lynch, and Charlotte. Naomi says that everyone is talking about Ronda Rousey (MMA Fighter) when they should be talking about Team B.A.D. She challenges Paige to a match for later tonight.

Commercials.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

The Miz is in the ring and gives homage to “Hot Rod” for starting the interview set segments; he says that no one else’s (“Cutting Edge,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Highlight Reel,” etc…) would not exist without Roddy’s influence. “From the bottom of my heart Roddy, you will be missed.”

Miz then says he will be the Intercontinental Champion when Ryback returns from injury, and brings out his first guest, Kevin Owens. Miz asks Kevin about his rivalry with Cesaro, but before he can get too far into the explanation, Cesaro himself interrupts.

Owens tells Cesaro that he should be “embarrassed” that he will never be like Owens; while Cesaro informs Owens that he should be “embarrassed” on how he treats the wrestlers and fans. They go back and forth, then Owens proclaims that he is willing to fight anyone anywhere, for the right price. He swerves though, and says “not tonight.” Owens walks away, then shoves Miz into Cesaro. Kevin and Cesaro scuffle, with Owens escaping before he could get swung around or placed in the Sharpshooter.

Ads.

Match #4: Single – Rusev (with Summer Rae) VS. Mark Henry

Rusev totally dominates Henry, smashing him with a superkick and obtaining the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Rusev (with Summer Rae)

Segment #5: Video Promo

A flower is on screen and a hand starts to tear it apart. The camera pans up to Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper, who tell Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose that they are like all the rest and “chose wrong.” Sheamus shows up beside them and gives Randy Orton a warning as well. Wyatt finishes with giving Sheamus props and “run.”

Commercials.

Match #5: Single – Zack Ryder VS. King Barrett

Ryder manages a little competition, even hitting the Broski Boot. However, as he tries the RoughRyder Leg Lariat, Barrett tosses him into the turnbuckle and knocks him down with the Bullhammer to take this one.

Winner via Pinfall: King Barrett

Ads.

It is announced that The New Day will face Tag-Team Champions The Prime Time Players and Mark Henry this week on Smackdown! in Six-Man Tag-Team action.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

Paul Heyman is in the ring and reminds us off the return of The Undertaker at Battleground with pictures on screen. Heyman says Undertaker is not the same one that has reigned for the last twenty-five years, but instead is “desperate” and “vengeful.” He then shows footage of the enormous brawl from two weeks ago on Raw.

Heyman brings out his client, Brock Lesnar, who tosses the steel stairs into the ring upon his entrance. Lesnar stands on them like a podium as Paul E. continues. He says that Undertaker actually “begged” WWE owner Vince McMahon for a rematch with Lesanr at WreslteMania 31 this year, but McMahon denied it. Heyman implies that Undertaker then made it happen by his actions at Battleground and the next night on Raw. He continues to put over “The Beast Incarnate” and his encounter with “The Phenom” at SummerSlam.

Commercials.

Match #6: Single – Paige (with Becky Lynch and Charlotte) VS. Naomi (with Team B.A.D. partners NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and Tamina)

An elbow/collar tie-up floats over into a press pin by Paige for two, then Naomi slams Paige out of a wristlock. Paige hits back with a knee-to-the-face, and elbows and kicks Naomi in the corner. Naomi catches Paige in the corner, but after she poses, Paige knees her repeatedly.

Banks gets Paige’s attention, which gives Naomi an advantage to kick away. She runs Paige’s head into a middle turnbuckle with a bulldog, then clamps on a grounding rear chinlock. She pulls Paige against the ring post, which puts pressure on Paige’s side/rib area. Naomi tries a crossbody, but Paige holds her and gives her a fall-away slam while yelling “this is my house.”

Paige short-arm clotheslines Naomi three times, but is tripped up into the ropes. Naomi attempts another crossbody, this time from the second turnbuckle, but Paige moves. She goes for the Paige Tap-Out, but Naomi kicks her off. Paige clamps it on again and Naomi taps.

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

Segment #7: Video Promo

Eden Stiles interviews Stardust on WWE’s Facebook page, who talks strangely about Stephen Amell, the actor from the television series “Arrow.” By Twitter, Amell responds and will be at Raw next week.

Ads.

Segment #8: In Memoriam

Roddy Piper’s video tribute from earlier re-airs. Cole, Layfield, and Saxton then talks about their memories of him.

Segment #9: Video Promo

Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose are on the Titantron, along with Randy Orton. They tell Wyatt, Harper, and Sheamus they will get what’s coming to them.

Commercials.

Match #7: Six-Man Tag-Team – Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns VS. Sheamus and The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper)

Ambrose and Harper begin, with Dean cleaning house on Luke and Sheamus. This breaks down quickly, with Dean leaping off the top turnbuckle to Wyatt, Sheamus, and Harper on the outside.

Ads.

Roman and Sheamus are now going at it. Reigns punches Sheamus hard, then the two slug it out by the barrier. Sheamus tags in Bray, who is not ready, so he switches with Harper. He tries a suplex, but Roman reverses into one of his own and slaps hands with Ambrose. “The Lunatic Fringe” front-dropkicks Harper, but is taken down a bit later with a dropkick by Luke.

Bray is now in and controls Dean, punching him rapidly on the canvas. He sets him atop the turnbuckle and punches, then attempts a suplex but Ambrose blocks. He headbutts Bray, then Luke takes a shot, and Bray pushes Dean to the floor.

Commercials.

Ambrose and Bray continue to tussle, then Dean and Harper wrestle. Luke scoop-slams Dean, but then is scoop-slammed himself after Dean hopped out of another. He sends Harper to the floor, who slides back in and gives Roman a big boot to knock him to the floor.

Dean manages a hot-tag to Orton, who powerslams Bray and forearms Sheamus off the apron. He sets up Wyatt for the middle-rope DDT and gears up for the R.K.O., but Harper cuts him off with a vicious clothesline. Ambrose is in and front-dropkicks Harper to the outside, but a dive by him is blocked and he is booted instead. Reigns follows with a clothesline to Harper and signals Orton.

Sheamus and Roman get the hot-tags, with Roman Samoan-Dropping Sheamus. He clotheslines away in the corner and hits the running front-dropkick from the floor to apron. He knocks down Harper and hits the Superman Punch on both Bray and Sheamus. Harper’s back in and big-boots Reigns, but is then clotheslined by Dean. He runs, but is met with a Sister Abigail try by Bray; Dean fights out of it and dives through the ropes to Harper, across the announce table. Orton R.K.O.’s Bray and Roman Spears Sheamus to get the victory.

Winners via Pinfall: Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns

Reigns, Ambrose, and Orton all pose for the fans to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper was arguably the best to never win the WWE Championship.

Along with the late-great Dusty Rhodes, late-great “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Ric Flair, he was one of the best talkers (if not the best other than the three above) in this business. While I was too young and didn’t watch wrestling as deep as I do now during his prime, I have seen numerous interviews and matches of his. He also had an uncanny ability to be both a super popular face and a complete bad guy with his awesome charisma.

My favorite “Piper’s Pit” was him and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 21; it was an excellent verbal joust between two grand speakers and was absolutely entertaining. My favorite match was him VS. Bret Hart at WrestleMania VIII for the Intercontinental Championship; it really showcased what “smaller” guys can do in this business in the squared circle (at that time) when it was dominated by bigger ones.

I believe WrestleMania may not have been as big as it was if it weren’t for Piper. He was the one that ignited the connection between then-WWF and the mainstream media with his feuds with then-pop-star Cyndi Lauper and then-TV star Mr. T, and deserves so much credit for that.

The wrestling world has lost a pioneer; “Rowdy” was magnetic. God rest your soul Roderick Toombs, a.k.a.”Rowdy” Roddy Piper.