Raw Preshow Notes
– The Preshow kicks off with Scott Stanford, David Otunga & Corey Graves in an all new studio for the preshow, complete with a cheesy green screen layout to make the show look more “hi-tech”…. We learn that HHH and Daniel Bryan will return to Raw tonight (no mention of Stephanie, yet).
– We go back to last week to see how Dean Ambrose joined the Payback main event by pinning Seth Rollins. Then we fast forward to the Raw main event between Reigns vs. Orton and the two men being attacked by Rollins and company, with Dean Ambrose assisting in making the save. The announcers talk about the unpredictability Ambrose brings to the match, how Rollins’ odds have gotten worse to leave the champion due to everyone hating him, how Orton has no friends, will Reigns and Ambrose try and form an alliance, amongst other things.
– HHH returns tonight. Is he returning fired up from the issues between Kane & Rollins, or is he returning cool and collected. Where will Kane stand with the Authority? Graves thinks HHH should fire Kane, Otunga thinks Kane will be praised for his booking.
– IC Champion Daniel Bryan returns tonight to address the fans. Will he be back ready to compete or will he vacate the belt? The announcers talk about Bryan needing to think about his future and longevity in life, Graves thinks Bryan will overcome once again.
– Rusev calls out John Cena tonight. They will be face to face tonight. Guess he can’t wait until the PPV. Somehow the I QUIT match turns into a discussion about Lana. Let’s be honest, Vince has moved his interest from Rusev to Lana, so the match almost feels like a backdrop at this point.
– Renee Young at Raw standing by with a “surprise”, Damien Sandow. He is immediately interrupted by AXELMANIA… Curtis calls Renee, brother… sister…. dude. Axel cuts a Hulkster promo and bashes Sandow for performing characters. Sandow does his own Hulkamania character. Axel says Sandow can’t steal his gimmick, so Sandow turns into MACHO MAN-dow. DIG IT. Macho Mandow challenges Axelmania to a match tonight. Graves & Otunga think both men are talented, but think these bad takes on the gimmicks are ridiculous.
WWE Raw Report 5/11/15 from the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio
– We kick off Raw with HHH getting out of the limo, and he doesn’t appear happy… Raw intro follows…
– HHH is out to the ring. “Daddy’s home”. He refers to saying that to his kids and how they behave better when he returns, and compares that to Rollins & Kane. Trips isn’t happy with either man because they find it hard to do what he instructs them to do. HHH says it ends tonight, they’re going to clear the air for good right now. Rather than just have them come out with him to begin with, Trips invites Rollins & Kane to the ring, and of course they have separate intros to drag this out even further.
Seth and J&J are out first, no Kane yet. Rollins starts to speak and “We Want Ambrose” chants break out, Seth won’t even acknowledge them. Seth refers to Kane as cancer. The Ambrose chants won’t go away, fans pop when Seth finally says his name. The Ambrose chants just keep coming, lol, causing Seth to repeatedly collect his thoughts. Rollins thinks Kane should be put out of his “old dog” misery.
NOW, here comes Kane. With age comes wisdom, and Kane thinks he should chokeslam Seth. The two men start arguing back and forth like children until HHH cuts them off. Trips talks over the Ambrose chants. HHH says Seth IS irritating and he understands wanting to punch him in the face, but Kane needs to get on the same page. HHH says Seth is what’s best for business and if Rollins doesn’t leave Payback as champion then Kane will be fired from his job with the Authority.
Kane says it’s a shame HHH feels that way, because while he respects HHH, Seth should lose the title. HHH looks Kane in the eye and wants Kane to tell him if he can do his job or not right now, because if Kane can’t then they need to part ways right now. Kane doesn’t reply, so HHH makes Kane vs. Roman Reigns tonight. Then he makes Rollins vs. Orton for the main event. Then Jamie Noble gets mouthy with Hunter, so HHH mocks their height and books J&J Security vs. Dean Ambrose… Crowds excited for Dean, but I think they could have given him a lot better position on this show, in his hometown…
– Dean Ambrose out to the ring for a big pop as we head to commercial.
— Commercial Break —
Handicap Match
1. Dean Ambrose vs. Jamie Noble & Joey Mercury
J&J try and plan an attack on Dean, but Ambrose doesn’t bite. Dean lays Noble out on the floor and then goes to work on Mercury in the ring. Mercury takes a beat down and gets sent to the floor, and Noble is back inside. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds, but Noble slides outside, where J&J get a slight double team advantage for about 5 seconds. Ambrose double clotheslines both men over the announce table. Back inside, Dean climbs the ropes but Mercury jerks him off and the heels take over 2 on 1. JBL puts over J&J’s background, but Michael Cole buries them by talking about how long ago that was. Yeah… So long ago. Ugh. Dean & Mercury crack heads, tag brings Noble in but Dean is back up with some signature spots. Dean tries the bulldog but Joey pulls Jamie to the floor for the save. DEAN DIVES OUT ON BOTH MEN. Back inside, Dean with the flying elbow on Noble, but Mercury makes the save. Dean gets knocked into the ropes but bounces back with the double wicked clothesline, Dirty Deeds on Noble ends it in 5:18.
— Commercial Break —
– On the App there’s some sort of Dolph Ziggler interview. Wasn’t able to hear it, but I had completely forgotten he was even feuding with Sheamus which shows you how quickly they’ve managed to push him back down, and also shows you how great the return of Sheamus has been.
Speaking of Sheamus, back on USA, Sheamus joins commentary for a Ziggler match. We learn at Payback it’s Sheamus vs. Ziggler. It took them this long to announce that?
King Barrett on the mic before the match, apparently he’s working Neville at Payback.
2. Dolph Ziggler vs. King Barrett
Barrett lays down his crown, the bell sounds, Ziggler lands the SUPERKICK! 1…2….Barrett almost pinned as the match starts. Ziggler controls the match as it gets going, Barrett rolls to the apron, but Dolph dropkicks him to the floor ans we head to break.
On the WWE App, Ziggler goes out after Wade and brings him back inside where Dolph continues control. The match spills back to the floor, and then Wade gets tossed back inside. Dolph climbs onto the apron but takes a moment to look back at Sheamus on commentary, and Barrett with a BIG BOOT knocks Dolph off the apron. Back inside, Barrett gets a 2 count. Barrett continues the onslaught with a few more 2 counts before we head back to USA.
Back from break, Ziggler comes back with a Famouser for 2. Barrett blocks a superkick and counters with Wasteland. Wade sets up for the Bull Hammer, but misses per usual, Ziggler with a dropkick and roll up for 2. Sheamus jumps up to distract Dolph and Wade lands the Bull Hammer for the win in 5:53. More than half the match was during commercial, if not for the App this match would have been almost nonexistent.
Following the match, Sheamus beats down Ziggler, humiliating him with slaps. Ziggler finally snaps and attacks Sheamus for a moment until Sheamus lands the BROGUE KICK to end the fight for tonight.
Ziggler’s just getting the bad end of everything tonight.
— Commercial Break —
– WWE App interview with Fandango. It’s actually a pretty fun promo, he breaks his character voice in the middle, then goes back to it. Fandango is next.
3. Fandango vs. Erick Rowan (w/Luke Harper)
Booker and JBL think Fandango will lose in less then 1:37. Michael Cole gives Fandango 2:00. Fandango attacks Rowan, gets a quick fall attempt, then Rowan just wipes him out with a Full Nelson slam for the win in 36 seconds. Wow. Not only does he get killed, but the announcers were taking bids on how fast.
Rowan & Harper lay out Fandango again after the match. The boys are back together… They should have never been split up.
— Commercial Break —
– Quick clips from last week’s US Title open challenge, Cena vs. Zayn.
– John Cena on his way to the ring for this week’s open challenge. Does he have to talk before EVERY challenge? We know why he’s out here, let’s just get to the match. Cena brings up that some fans may actually be cheering for him tonight, not many, but some. Cena talks about HHH holding down great talent that will never get the WWE Title, HOW TRUE. But the U.S. Title is attainable because he offers opportunity. The promo turns to Rusev, Cena never gives up, he never QUITS. Cena says he was advised to cancel tonight’s open challenge because of his match Sunday. But he and the fans decide against that, and a title match will happen right now.
4. U.S. Champion John Cena vs. Neville
Slow and steady starts the match. Cena with some basic holds, Neville counters and reverses. Feeling out process more than anything with Cena eventually rolling to the floor as we go to break.
On the App, Cena with a chinlock, Neville comes out of it but Cena flings him into the corner hard. Neville comes back with a body attack for 2 and his own chinlock. Cena tries to counter with an AA, but Neville hits a DDT for a near fall as we head back to USA.
Back from break, Cena makes his superman comeback, but Neville escapes the wrath and executes a German Suplex with a bridge for 2… Cena back outside, Neville with a baseball slide and a SPRING BOARD TOP ROPE CORKSCREW REVERSE SOMERSAULT DIVE OUT ONTO CENA. NICE. Neville gets 2 back inside. Cena prevents Neville from the Red Arrow and drops the 5 knuckle shuffle. Cena looks for the AA, Neville escapes and boots Cena in the face. Nevile off the MIDDLE ROPE with a PHOENIX SPLASH!!! 1..2…… Cena kicks out. The two men trade shots, Neville drops Cena to his knees, but Cena catches Neville in a Michinoku Driver of sorts for 2…
Neville counters another AA with a crucifix for 2. Neville goes flippy across the ring and tries a body block, but Cena catches him and rolls through, looking for the AA. Neville lands on his feet and lays Cena out with a kick for another near fall. Neville looks for the Red Arrow, but Cena counters into an STF in the middle of the ring and Neville counters it into a pin for 2… Cena jumps up and clotheslines Neville’s mouth off… Back and forth, Neville comes springing at Cena but lands right into an AA!!!! 1…………..2………… NOW NEVILLE KICKS OUT OF THE AA!!!
Neville climbs the rope, but Cena goes up too. Cena looking for a top rope AA, but Neville counters with a SIT OUT POWERBOMB…1……..2…….Cena kicks out!!! Neville goes up for the RED ARROW. RED ARROW CONNECTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUSEV ATTACKS NEVILLE TO CAUSE THE DQ… LAME. LAME. LAME. Neville will get the DQ win in 14:39.
Rusev lays out Neville witht he jumping side kick, the crowd shits on it. Rusev kicks Cena’s face off then applies the Accolade until Cena passes out.
Crowd just chants “We Want Lana” which pisses Rusev off and shows how over this story is at this point.
— Commercial Break —
5. Roman Reigns vs. Kane
Kane attacks Reigns as he comes over the barricade. Back and forth brawl ends up on the floor. Reigns with a Superman Punch knocks Kane onto the announce table. Reigns then hits a shitty spear on Kane that sends both guys awkwardly over the announce table. Not awkwardly as in dangerous, but awkwardly as in it looked terrible. Reigns stands back up on the table and celebrates and Kane lays under the table dead from the crappy spear. The music hits and I guess this match never technically happened. Kane got dropped in a minute or so.
I don’t know that I can complain about this. It completely eliminates me from having to watch Reigns OR Kane. Now that’s best for business!
— Commercial Break —
– Bellas on the WWE App, the Divas are next.
6. Brie Bella (w/Nikki) vs. Tamina (w/Naomi)
I wonder if Tamina keeps getting all of these shots as a favor to the Rock. Tamina devours Brie early, Brie comes back with a middle rope dropkick and the Brie Mode knee to the face… Brie tries a second knee, Tamina blocks and lands a SUPERKICK to end it in 3:35.
I’m thinking the #GiveDivasaChance movement has regressed.
— Commercial Break —
7. Curtis “AxelMania” Axel vs. Damien “Macho Mandow” Sandow
Oh my God, Sandow has Pomp & Circumstance as his theme… He’s decked out in a neon green Macho Man style trunks and boots. The two men trade 80’s mannerisms. Sandow’s trunks are so bright they’re glaring on the screen. Axel gets dropped early. Sandow goes up top to drop the elbow when THE ASCENSION interrupts. They mock Sandow & Axel mocking two old relics in a desperate attempt to aid their careers… They’re ones ton talk…. Crappy Ascension promo and they rush the ring. I guess this is a no contest after a couple of minutes of nothing.
Konnor gets tossed to the floor, Sandow drops Viktor in the ring. The Mega Power unite! Sandow gets Axelmania to drop the BIG LEG on Viktor… Sandow goes up for the big elbow but Konnor pulls Viktor to safety… The Mega Powers shake hands and unite. The announcers tear this segment apart, as well they should. For everything fun this could have been, it failed, miserably…
You just KNOW this match is going to be on the PPV PRESHOW…
— Commercial Break —
– WWE App interview with Cesaro & Tyson Kidd. Fact.
– Shameless videos of more Tough Enough wanna be’s.
– IC Champion Daniel Bryan on his way out to the ring… Wow, they didn’t even announce that before the break… Long “Daniel Bryan” chant. Daniel talks about needing to be in the ring and dealing with doctors for the last several weeks. Bryan talks about how the fans treat him greater than anyone does in the back. He talks about letting the fans down last year when they got him his opportunity to win the title and he had to forfeit. He says as much as it hurt him, Stephanie was right to take the belt away because the fans deserve a fighting champion.
Bryan says this is why he asked to come out here tonight. He had an MRI last week and they don’t know how long he’ll be out. Maybe weeks, maybe months, maybe forever. Bryan says the fans deserve to have WWE Superstars fighting for the IC championship. The IC Title should not be sitting in a doctor’s office, it should be defended in the ring. Bryan says he is leaving the IC Title in the ring tonight, and he forfeits the title himself. This guys really was trained by Shawn Michaels. “Thank You Daniel” chants. Bryan turns it around and thanks the fans before laying the IC Title in the middle of the ring and leaving.
— Commercial Break —
– New Day promo gets the segment going. They know Bryan is gone but they still want positivity. They rip on Pete Rose. The fans chant New Day Sucks. You know the drill.
8. Big E (w/Kofi & Woods) vs. Cesaro (w/Tyson Kidd & Natalya)
Cesaro drops Big E and lands a double stomp. Cesaro off the top with a cross body for 2. Cesaro stomps on Big E to the chant of “New.. Day Sucks”. Big E knocked to the floor and we go to commercial.
On the App… Big E takes control. Abdominal stretch by Big E. Mike Rotunda must be the agent for this match. Cesaro escapes but gets thrown shoulder first into the post and falls to the floor. Cesaro beats the count back inside at 7, Big E takes back over.
Back from break, another abdominal stretch applied. Crowd poops all over it. Cesaro breaks free but Big E plants him with a belly to belly, but misses the splash. One armed Sidewalk Slam drives Cesaro down for a near fall. Cesaro comes back with a European uppercut, and then a spingboard spinning uppercut… crazy… Cesaro with the Rolling Germans. CESARO DEAD WEIGHT LIFTS BIG E OVER HIS HEAD WITH A TOSS… AMAZING. More uppercuts and Cesaro ready for the GIANT SWING. Kofi on the apron to distract, Tyson lays him out. Then Woods lays out Tyson. Big E charges Cesaro, but Cesaro with a nice looking pretzel cradle for the win in about 9:20.
– Michael Cole has a breaking new announcement…. On May 31, THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER RETURNS in a NETWORK ONLY PPV!!! Wow, that came outta nowhere.
— Commercial Break —
– Prime Time Players backstage promo. They’re decked out this week as the New Age Outlaws. Short promo, not sure the point of it.
– Bray Wyatt heads to the ring. Promo time. Fear is all around us. Fear is on TV and in the papers. Fear of a dying economy, war, the world coming to an end. He says Ryback must be an inspiration to the fans. He talks about “The Ryback’s” ankle being destroyed but him defying the odds and returning to the ring. Wyatt says Ryback has overcome all the odds, but he hasn’t seen anything like Wyatt before. Why Ryback? Ryback was in Bray’s way. Wyatt says that parents fail to teach their kids that sometimes the bad guys win. Wyatt starts to end his promo when Ryback;’s music hits…
Ryback rushes the ring and lays Wyatt out with a spinebuster and then knocks him to the floor. Ryback was looking for the meat hook clothesline, but Bray backs off outside and scoots away.
— Commercial Break —
9. Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion Seth Rollins
No J&J Security… YET. The two have a wrestling match to start, holds and counter holds. Orton takes over, Rollins does the Shawn Michaels flip in the corner. Randy looking good, but Rollins comes back and knocks Randy to the floor as we go to commercial.
On the App, Rollins works over Orton on the floor then brings him back inside for a 2 count. Seth continues on offense throughout the break.
Back from the final break, Rollins has the chinlock applied. Orton comes out of it but Seth stays on top. Rollins goes up top but gets crotched. Randy with a top rope SUPERPLEX, Ace Cowboy style… The two trade blows, Orton comes out on top. Rollins blocks a powerslam and boots Randy in the jaw. Rollins tries a Blockbuster off the middle rope but Orton turns it into a powerslam for 2….
Orton goes for the suspension DDT but gets dropped. Rollins with an enzuigiri from the apron and a flying knee from the top rope…1……2………..Orton kicks out! Rollins counters Orton’s backbreaker but runs right into a T-Bone suplex from Orton. Randy gets backdropped to the apron and Seth with an enzuigiri knocks Orton to the floor. Seth with a suicide dive out onto Orton.
Back inside, Seth misses a corner splash, Orton tries an RKO but Seth rolls him up for 2… Then Rollins with a superkick to Orton’s face while he was on his knees for another near fall… Seth tries a powerbomb, Orton counters with a backdrop, Seth lands on his feet, but Orton turns it into a SUspension DDT and calls for the RKO… Ok, so where’s J&J?
Orton gets ready for the Rko aaaaaaaannnnnddd… J&J attacks. There ya go. Two perfectly fine matches ruined tonight. One is fine, but both? Orton wins via DQ in 15:15.
Following the match, J&J & Rollins lay out Randy Orton. Kane comes to the ring and grabs a chair. Seth & J&J continue to attack Orton, but Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns make the save…
J&J get laid out, and Seth gets cornered by Reigns, Orton, and Ambrose… DIRTY DEEDS ON ROLLINS… Kane just stands outside and watches on.
Reigns with a SPEAR on Rollins… Kane still just watches on.
RKO on Rollins… Kane still just standing there…. Never makes a move to save Seth.
ROMAN REIGNS SPEAR ON ORTON!!!!
DIRTY DEEDS ON REIGNS!!!!
Ambrose stands tall in his hometown to end the show.
