After a great Payback – wrestling-wise (storyline booking was questionable) – we move on to another “new era” in WWE; I won’t spoil for those who haven’t seen yet and are waiting to watch results live on Raw or read this, but it will be interesting for the next while. Onto the report!

Monday Night Raw TV Report for May 2nd, 2016

Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming

Highlights of Payback are shown, and then the regular Raw video plays; we are greeted by Michael Cole in St. Louis, Missouri.

Segment #2: Arena Promo

Eden Stiles – the ring announcer – asks us to “welcome” Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon. She struts out with a gift bag in hand. Before she can go too far, her brother interrupts. Shane joins in the ring, and they both talk about their split-control of Raw, and Stephanie gives Shane the gift; it is a framed picture of Shane and Vince – the same picture that Vince broke a couple of months earlier. Shane appreciates the present, and they both ask the crowd who has the better ideas. Of course, the fans pick Shane.

Kevin Owens interrupts and demands his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship; Cesaro gets in the mix and it is concluded that they will both wrestle next to determine the #1 Contender!

Commercials.

Match #1: Single for the #1 Contender’s Spot to the Intercontinental Championship – Kevin Owens VS. Cesaro

(Note: Intercontinental Champion The Miz and his wife, Maryse, are on commentary.) Cesaro starts off hot with numerous corner uppercuts and then sends Owens to the outside. He follows by leaping onto the corner of the barricade and flipping over onto K.O.! Back in the ring, Cesaro gets a two-count after a top-turnbuckle crossbody. He goes for a run but is met with a superkick, and Kevin takes over.

He pounds away, but is hit with an uppercut as he went to the top turnbuckle. Up there, Cesaro tries a move, but is headbutted off. Cesaro fires back with a dropkick and a gutwrench suplex! 1 – 2 – Owens kicks out! Kevin whips Cesaro into the ropes, but Cesaro flips over. He tumbles to the floor after Owens gives him a jawbreaker, then lands on him with a “Bullfrog” Splash!

Ads.

K.O. is still in control, but Cesaro counters with numerous uppercuts. Kevin whips him into the turnbuckle and runs at him in the opposite one with the Cannonball Splash! Cesaro ducks a clothesline and springs off the middle rope with a Tornado-Uppercut, then runs at Owens on the floor again with an uppercut against the barricade.

Kevin grabs the I.C. Title but Cesaro counters and hits Miz too. In the ring, “The Swiss Superman” goes to Swing Owens around, but Miz attacks from behind, causing a dq.

Winner via Disqualification: Cesaro

Post-match, Miz, Cesaro, and Kevin brawl until Sami Zayn runs out. He goes for Owens, but Miz is shoved in front first. Sami punches Miz, then whales away on Owens. Sami gives Miz an Exploder-Suplex, and Helluva Kicks Kevin! He goes for Miz again, but Maryse pulls him to safety. The Intercontinental Championship is left in the ring, which Zayn holds up.

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Stephanie is walking through the halls and meets Dean Ambrose. “The Lunatic Fringe” doesn’t believe McMahon has changed her ways, but she wants to prove him wrong, so she invites herself on his “Ambrose Asylum” show. Dean happily accepts and she leaves.

Commercials.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Tyler Breeze and R-Truth are trying to synch up when Goldust and Fandango approach, trying to show them how to partner up. Truth and Breeze don’t take to this kindly, and it will be Breeze going against Goldust!

Segment #5: Locker Room Promo

A.J. Styles is discussing with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson; they implore that A.J. was “phenomenal” last night, but Styles reminds them he was defeated. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns walks in and gives A.J. his “respect,” but can’t do the same for Gallows and Anderson. The Usos follow behind, and all six men will square off later tonight! A.J. vows to take the title at Extreme Rules.

Goldust and Fandango dance their way to the ring!

Ads.

Match #2: Single – Goldust (with Fandango) VS. Tyler Breeze (with R-Truth)

This one is fast, as Truth distracts Goldust, letting Breeze roll-up for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Tyler Breeze (with R-Truth)

The New Day are on their way out!

Commercials.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

Tag-Team Champions Kofi Kingston, Big E., and Xavier Woods talk about the unfortunate finish to the Tag-Team Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament, where Enzo Amore suffered a concussion and the match had to be stopped abruptly. The Vaudevillians have been awarded the spot, and will wrestle New Day for the titles at Extreme Rules on May 22nd.

New Day give props to Enzo for getting checked out and released from the hospital, but then are intruded upon by The Vaudevillians. Simon Gotch and Aiden English rip on Amore, and proclaim themselves as symbols of a “bygone era.” The Dudleyz now interject themselves, declaring that the entire Tag-Team Championship Tournament restart.

Enzo’s partner, Big Cass, marches out and doesn’t stand for any of this. Everyone brawls, with New Day and Cass getting into it with The Vaudevillians and Dudleyz!

Ads.

Match #3: Eight-Man Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Xavier Woods, Big E., and Kofi Kingston) and Colin Cassidy VS. The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von)

New Day and Cass are all over Gotch and English; Bubba blind-tags in and boots Woods. He punches right-and-left while yelling instructions to The Vaudevillians. D-Von and Ray plant Xavier with a sidewalk-slam/legdrop combo. English is in and works over Woods, as do a mix of The Vaudes and Dudelyz. Xavier counters with an enziguri, but D-Von is tagged and puts him to the canvas. He goes for a diving headbutt from the second turnbuckle, but misses, allowing Woods to hot-tag Kofi. He is all over D-Von, but English distracts Kingston, and Gotch pushes Kofi into the ring post.

Commercials.

Aiden and Simon are back dominating over Kofi, until Kingston hits a double-dropkick. (Thanks, Cole!) Kofi makes the pop-tag to Cass, who overpowers both Vaudevillians and Dudleyz. He boots Gotch off the apron right into an overhead belly-to-belly suplex by Big E. In the ring, Bubba and D-Von set up Cass for the 3;D, but Kofi breaks it, and Cass finishes with the “East River Crossing” spinning-side-slam!

Winner via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day and Colin Cassidy

Later tonight, a Battle Royal will determine who will face Kalisto for the United States Championship!

Ads.

Segment #7: Video Promo

Clips of Roman Reigns’ and A.J. Styles’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship bout at Payback are shown, as well as their locker room meeting from earlier tonight. Cole, Byron Saxton, and John “Bradshaw” Layfield also go over the “screwjob” ending to the Women’s Championship at Payback. A quick couple shots of Charles Robinson – the referee – in W.C.W. as “Little ‘Naitch’ recall his relationship with the Flairs.

Becky Lynch makes her entrance and will be wrestling Emma, next!

Commercials.

Match #4: Single – Becky Lynch VS. Emma

Becky controls early with armdrags and a dive from the apron to the floor! She puts Emma back in the ring, but is yanked off the turnbuckle, allowing Emma to take over. She snapmares and kicks, then pulls at Lynch’s arms, and stretches her in an armlock. They counter each other and Emma rams Becky head-first into the middle turnbuckle. She follows with a crossbody-splash for two!

Both punch away, and Lynch gains momentum with a clothesline and calf-kick. She spin-kicks Emma and tosses her with an Exploder Suplex; the slams her to the mat and signals for the Disarmer, but Emma moves. Emma pokes Becky in the eye, and drives her with a Michinoku-Suplex, taking this!

Winner via Pinfall: Emma

Up next, “The Ambrose Asylum!”

Ads.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

Dean Ambrose gets right to business, bring out Stephanie McMahon. He first asks her what it was like to get Speared by Roman Reigns at WrestleMania; she responds that she was at fault and Roman did what he had to do. Ambrose eggs her on about Shane’s return; his remarks break Steph, who then uses her power to stop the “Ambrose Asylum.” She then introduces Chris Jericho, and the “Highlight Reel” is back.

“Y2J” walks down the aisle and glares at Ambrose; they get into it, with Jericho smashing the plant on the back of Dean.

Commercials.

Match #5: #1 Contendership Battle Royal to the United States Championship

Many are eliminated prior to the break.

Ads.

It comes down to Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, Rusev, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder. Cara makes an effort, but is thrown over. The (former) League of Nations squabble, and Rusev with Ryder after Sheamus and Del Rio are eliminated. Zack is fired up and hits the boots, then goes to throw Rusev out, but “The Bulgarian Brute” turns him around and chucks “Long Island Iced-Z” to the floor!

Winner and #1 Contender to the United States Championship: Rusev

Post-match, Lana gleefully walks down and celebrates with her man.

Commercials.

Segment #9: Arena Promo

After replays of the curious finish to the Women’s Championship match at Payback, Ric Flair and Women’s Champion Charlotte strut to the ring. Charlotte asks Charles Robinson to come out, and questions him on his decision to the ending of the Women’s Championship match at Payback. Robinson acknowledges his decision to the bout, and with implications from Charlotte, confirms he made the right one.

She excuses him, but Natalya charges out. She asserts that the entire Hart Family are “the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.” She dismantles Charlotte, then clamps on the Sharpshooter to Ric Flair. Charlotte grabs her father and they escape.

Ads.

Segment #10: Backstage Promo

Charlotte and Ric are walking through the halls, nursing their beating. Stephanie walks up and tells them that Charlotte will be defending her Women’s Championship against Natalya in a Submission Match at Extreme Rules; she also bans Ric from ringside!

Match #6: Six-Man Tag-Team – A.J. Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns

A.J. and Roman begin a couple of a lockups. A.J. turns Reigns over with a roll-up, then scissors out and lands on his feet over a backflip. Roman shoulder-blocks, but Styles switches with Luke.

Gallows hammers on Reigns in the corner, but the WWE World Heavyweight Champion hits back with punches. He tags in Jimmy, who chops Luke then hops over him out of the turnbuckle and delivers an enziguri. Both teams faceoff on the outside.

Commercials.

Anderson is pummeling away at Jey now, then wears him down with a rear chinlock. He gives Jey a big spinebuster for two, then slaps A.J.’s hand. “The Phenomenal One” leaps onto Jey in the corner with a forearm-clothesline, then clasps on a front-facelock. Jey gets out of it and hits a superkick, then hot-tags his cousin! Roman manages to control Anderson, Gallows, and Styles for a bit, and then signals for the Superman Punch, hitting Gallows off of the apron with it!

Reigns back to A.J., but Styles Pele Kicks him. Jimmy is in and almost gets twice this after a superkick and Samoan Drop! On the outside, Gallows and Anderson give Roman the “Boot of Doom,” and in the ring, Styles hits the “Phenomenal Forearm;” he covers for the victory!

Winners via Pinfall: A.J. Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson

Post-match, Anderson and Gallows pick Roman up and hold him in the ring, ordering A.J. to hit him with a chair across the head. Styles holds up the weapon and contemplates, then tosses it aside. As Gallows and Anderson stomp on Reigns, Jey whacks Styles in the back with the chair. Luke and Karl go after The Usos, as does A.J. with the chair.

Reigns regains and builds frustration, hitting Styles with the Superman Punch. He tears the commentator’s table apart and hurls Styles into the corner barricade. Roman roars then powerbombs A.J. onto the table, which breaks. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion stands over a laid-out Styles and replays start. Roman is standing back as Cole, Layfield, and Saxton promote their Extreme Rules match to close the show.

End of Raw.

Until Smackdown!, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Fans!