Monday Night Raw TV Report for May 4th, 2015 – “Even More Payback”

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

Randy Orton’s music plays right away to kick off Raw from Canada! In short, “The Viper” talks about the Triple-Threat WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at Payback, vowing to become the new Champion.

Roman Reigns joins in, informing Orton that it will be him, not Randy, who will actually be WWE World Heavyweight Champion. They get into a tiff about who’s winning the bout, then Orton touts his resume in WWE. Reigns reminds Randy that he defeated him at last year’s SummerSlam, and has no problem doing it again.

They jaw at each other until an unexpected interruption. Tag-Team Champions The New Day march out and brag about being “the only champions out here.” Instead of the off-putting remarks, they want give happiness, then announce they will be taking on Randy and Roman next!

Commercials.

Match #1: Tag-Team – “The Viper” Randy Orton and Roman Reigns VS. Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E., Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) (Non-Title)

Randy and Kofi begin, then tag out to Roman and Xavier, respectively. Woods clasps Reigns in a standing-headlock, but Roman comes back with a Samoan Drop. He switches with Orton, who suplexes Xavier and starts to work him over. Reigns does the same, and tags in Orton again, who continues to punish Woods. Xavier manages to tag in Big E., who belly-to-belly suplexes Randy.

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The New Day are in control now, and dominate for a while. Roman breaks out of a front-facelock and slams Woods down then clotheslines him. He makes the hot-tag to Randy, who cleans house on Kofi. Reigns is back in and Superman Punches Big E; Orton slingshot-DDT’s Kofi and gears up for the RKO, planting Xavier with the move! Reigns goes for a Spear on Kofi, but takes down Randy instead! Kofi capitalizes and coves for the victory!

Winners via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E., Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)

Post-match, Director Of Operations Kane tells Reigns and Orton their time on Raw will continue as they will face each other in the main-event!

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Kane is walking through the backstage area when he is met by Seth Rollins and J & J Security. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion says that Kane’s booking still doesn’t make a difference in their relationship. Kane also books Rollins himself to take on Dean Ambrose, since their match from Smackdown! last week that should’ve ended in disqualification.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

Rene Young welcomes Ryback and inquires as to why Bray Wyatt is going after him. Ryback isn’t sure, but does put over his passion and desire for professional wrestling, and wanting to do it all for the fans. Bray appears on the Titantron and talks to Ryback about fear. “Everything you love; everything you are afraid to lose, is all going to fade away. And in time, friend, so will you. RUN!”

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Match #2: Tag-Team – Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (with Natalya) VS. The Ascension (Conor and Viktor)

The Ascension control most of this bout, until Conor misses an elbow. Viktor is in, but Tyson got the hot-tag to Cesaro, who repeatedly uppercuts Viktor! He gutwrench-suplexes Viktor, and Kidd somersaults out onto Conor. Cesaro swings around Viktor then Kidd polishes this one off with a front-dropkick!

Winners via Pinfall: Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (with Natalya)

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Rene Young would like WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’ thoughts on his upcoming match. Rollins takes a couple shots at Kane and Ambrose, then walks away.

Commercials.

Match #3: Single – “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose VS. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (Non-Title)

(Note: Prior to this contest, Kane announces that if Dean defeats Seth, then he will be added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match at Payback.)

Ambrose starts out hot and heavy on Rollins, trying for a quick pin with a roll-up, then brawling around the ring and the outside with him. Seth comes back and dominates for a bit until Ambrose tosses him to the floor.

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Seth is back in control, stretching Ambrose with a side face-stretch. He kicks Ambrose hard, but Dean spins him around with a driving Tornado-DDT! He sends Seth to the outside, then follows up with a suicide dive that sends Ambrose halfway into the crowd!

Ambrose almost takes this one twice, first with a backdrop-facebuster then an elbow off the top turnbuckle! Seth hits hard back with a smacking kick and gets a near-fall! On the outside, Rollins powerbombs Dean into the corner barricade! The referee begins the count, but Dean slides back in at 9! Rollins attempts a Pele Kick, but Ambrose bounces off the ropes and clotheslines Seth.

Noble and Mercury run out, but Dean fends them off and rolls-up Seth for the 1 – 2 – 3!

Winner via Pinfall and ADVANCING to Payback: “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose

Commercials.

Segment #5: Office Promo

An enraged Seth Rollins barges into Kane’s office. He blames the Director Of Operations for putting his title in a dangerous situation with the Fatal-4-Way at Payback, but in turn, Kane says that it was the WWE World Heavyweight Champion’s problem, since he lost the match. Kane assures that all is going to be okay and he knows what to do.

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

Byron Saxton is with Lana, and is wondering what she thinks of the recent fan cheers for her. She begins to answer the question, but is stopped by Fandango, who wants her to go with them. Rusev interrupts and runs off Fandango.

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Match #4: Single – Fandango VS. Rusev (with Lana)

After banishing Lana to the back for pandering to the crowd, Rusev forces Fandango to give in to The Accolade.

Winner via Submission: Rusev

Ads.

Match #5: Single – R-Truth VS. Stardust

Stardust uses a bag of spiders to scare R-Truth, then roll him up and take this one!

Winner via Pinfall: Stardust

Commercials.

It is announced that the Fatal-4-Way Match Contract Signing for Payback will take place this week on Smackdown!

Match #6: Single for the United States Championship – John Cena (Champion) VS. ???

Preceding this contest, Cena puts over the challenge of having the U.S. Championship, but will continue to wrestle and “never give up.” He then asks his opponent out to the ring …

The music of a very famous WWE Hall Of Famer plays and out walks … Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart! He is here to welcome a favorite to challenge John Cena, but before that happens, Heath Slater comes out and complains. Bret quickly punches him with the microphone, then announces Cena’s opponent – NXT Superstar and Montreal’s own, Sami Zayn!

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Zayn hits a dropkick, sending Cena to the floor. He goes for a springboard dive, but Cena backs away and Zayn lands on his knees. Cena walks back into the ring and backdrops Sami, twice. The second one seems to have hurt Sami’s shoulder, as Rudy Charles, the referee, signals for the doctor to check on him. Sami is attended to, but given the go-ahead to continue.

Cena punches Zayn in the corner, but Sami comes back with punches. Cena nails a couple shoulder-tackles, and a backdrop-slam. He goes for the 5-Knuckle Shuffle, but Zayn rolls him up for two 2! Cena tries for the Attitude Adjustmet but Zayn holds on to the ropes. Sami leaps off the second turnbuckle with a crossbody, then soars over the ropes with a swanton-dive! As Sami gets back in the ring, Cena grabs his leg and traps him in the STF, but Zayn struggles and gets to the ropes for a break! Sami quickly grabs Cena into a Koji Clutch lock, but Cena rolls through into an AA position. Zayn fights out of it again! Cena knocks down Sami, and attempts another Attitude Adjustment; Zayn lands on his butt and they double-clothesline each other! On the outside, Sami runs through the turnbuckle post area, giving Cena a Tornado DDT!

In the ring, Cena quickly picks up Zayn and drops him with the AA! 1 – 2 – Sami still gets his shoulder up! Sami leapfrogs over Cena and spins him around with the Blue Thunder Bomb (spinning one-legged powerbomb) and covers; 1 – 2 – Cena gets his shoulder up!

John springboards off the middle rope and stuns Sami, then plants him with another AA and gets the W!

Winner via Pinfall and STILL United States Champion: John Cena

Post-match, Cena gives Zayn props, holding up his arm and then leaving him in the ring to receive adulation from his fans!

Commercials.

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Rene Young is awaiting on Sami Zayn to ask him about his big opportunity tonight, but The New Day interrupts. They are still in jubilation over their win against Roman and Randy, but Cesaro and Kidd interrupt them. They antagonize the Tag-Team Champions by telling them that “New Day Sucks!” Big E., Kofi, and Xavier try to instil positivity and insist they rock.

Match #7: Single – Divas Champion Nikki Bella (with Sister and Partner Brie) VS. Naomi

Before this bout even begins, Naomi and a returning Tamina Snuka charge out and attack the twins. Naomi yells that this is what family is.

Winner: No Contest due to No Official Start

Segment #8: Arena Promo

The new King Of The Ring, Bad News Barrett walks out and boasts about a great week for England, with the new princess (Charlotte) being born and himself becoming the new King Of The Ring.

He and Sheamus will team up to face Dolph Ziggler and Neville, next!

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Match #8: Tag-Team – King Barrett and “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus VS. “The Man That Gravity Forgot” Neville and “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler

Barrett and Ziggler square off first, with Bad News stomping away on Dolph. He slams his head against the turnbuckle, beats on his back with his forearm. Ziggler reverses a whip and gives Bad news a smacking kick, then a jumping DDT! He and Neville stare down Sheamus as Barrett breaks on the outside.

Commercials.

Sheamus is now ripping away on Ziggler with a grounding chinlock. Dolph punches out of it, but is caught in a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Dolph pushes off and superkicks Sheamus; he then makes the tag to Neville, who flies around all over Barrett. He is stopped on the turnbuckle though, being kicked hard. Barrett winds up for the Bullhammer, but Neville counters with an Enziguri (thanks Cole!), and a German-Suplex pin for two!

Ziggler and Sheamus tumble to the touside and into the barricade! Barrett misses a running splash, allowing Neville to deliver a high-kick. He wants to go for the Red Arrow Corkscrew Splash, but Sheamus distracts him, allowing Barrett to nail the Bullhammer off a springboarding Neville! 1 – 2 – 3!

Winners via Pinfall: King Barrett and “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus

Both Roman Reigns and Randy Orton make their entrances to face each other next!

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Match #9: Single – Roman Reigns VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton

Ahead of this match, Kane, J & J, and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins walk out. they are all have roles in this contest, with J & J being special timekeeper and ring announcer, Kane the special enforcer, and Rollins on commentary.

In the ring, Roman is trying to convince Orton to go after Rollins, but Orton attempts an RKO right away. Roman shoves him off and they both slug away! Randy hits Reigns with an elbow as he ran off the ropes, then clotheslines him out of the corner.

Roman comes back with a Samoan Drop, then chucks Orton to the outside. Reigns also knocks down Noble, but Randy clotheslines him as he turns back around. They continually fight on the outside and back in the ring. Orton clotheslines Reigns a couple times, then snaps him with the back/neckbreaker drop. Roman rolls to the apron, then uses the ropes to jawbreak Orton. He attempts the Superman Punch, but Orton moves and slingshot-DDT’s Roman.

Orton wants an RKO, but Roman shoves off and nails the Superman Punch! Randy ends up on the outside, and Reigns runs, but is caught by Kane. The Authority then start to take out both Reigns and Orton.

Winner: None due to Official Stoppage

Post-match, this eds up in a big brawl until Dean Ambrose runs out! He helps Orton and Roman take out The Authority, then watches as Seth gets Speared by Reigns! Orton strikes quickly with an RKO on Roman, then Ambrose DDT’s Orton!

“The Lunatic Fringe” is the only one standing tall to close the show!

End Of Raw.

Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp

This was another pretty-good Raw, with a couple awesome matches, and a couple cool surprises! It did have it’s negative side too, which I will look at as always, so onto the analysis:

Excellence: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins; he is making the perfect “cowardly but yet will sneak out of anything” type champion/heel, both with his verbal confrontations with Kane, and his actions in the ring of always trying to or actually sneaking away.

I was a little caught-off-guard by The New Day being involved with Orton and Reigns, but it worked, and glad they even got the somewhat-clean win; it is much-needed to continue to build their new personality.

Loved the surprise returns of Bret and Tamina; particular glad that Tamina is back and going to add more to the division. I liked Naomi’s look too this week, and she reminds me of former Diva Jacqueline. Also, liking the slow Lana face-turn; even though I could’ve done without Rusev/Fandango match, it was a good setup to continue Lana to get pops.

The build to the main-event of Payback was well done overall, and glad to have Ambrose in there as well, since this will make us questions if/how Seth will get out of this with his title in tact. (He should, and have a long reign.)

Fantastic match between Zayn and Cena! However, I hope that Sami is not seriously hurt, as he’s been having a great feud with NXT Champion Kevin Owens and they will do battle for that championship on May 20, which I am looking very forward too!

Bogus: Stardust/Rhodes was just a time-filler and nothing special. As well, unfortunately, I felt that Reigns/Orton was boring and too predictable when The Authority was out; I knew it would end up in a big beat-down. Lastly, while I know it will be a very physical match, I’m not quite sure about the Wyatt/Ryback feud yet. Both promos were good, but it seems Bray’s reasons have been the same for the last little while.

All-in-all, I enjoyed Raw! Until next week, when we will be just six nights away from Payback, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!