WWE Raw Preshow Notes 5/18/15
– Scott Stanford, Corey Graves & David Otunga from WWE HQ. We get right into the main event from Payback, complete with a few highlight clips. Otunga calls the match a glorified handicap match with Rollins getting so much help. They discuss the Shield reuniting for a brief moment. They discuss HHH’s relationship with Seth, and how everyone else in the match was effected by the loss. Tonight on Raw there will be a Seth Rollins appreciation segment tonight… Can’t wait…. Blah.
– NXT Unstoppable Promo airs. At first it appeared to be a “Finn Balor is coming” vignette which had me pumped. But no, just a NXT PPV commercial.
– Paul Heyman on the Stone Cold Podcast June 1st. Ya know, so you have to pay for once.
– Highlights of Cena vs. Rusev last night at Payback. Rusev got blown up by fireworks, but it was the rope across the nose that did him in… Or so says Lana. Otunga says Rusev said “I’ve had enough” and Lana translated it to I QUIT. U.S. Open challenge tonight on Raw.
– Renee Young interviews Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, and Natalya. They have a rematch with New Day tonight for the titles. They think Xavier should be banned from ringside during the matches, and tonight he will be. FACT. Man, I really hate that fact thing…
– Tamina & Naomi beat the Bellas at Payback. Tonight Naomi challenges Nikki for the Divas Title.
WWE Raw 5/18/15 from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia
– HHH and Stephanie are out first… Yes, she’s back… It was a fun 5 or 6 weeks while it lasted… Steph asks if we missed her… Hah. So all the fans are losers so they can’t relate with Seth Rollins, who is a winner.
They move on from talking the WWE Title to remove a black cloth to reveal the IC Title sitting on a pedestal. They mock Bryan as usual, Stephanie mentions it’s too bad he can’t watch this on TV, because he doesn’t have one… The hippie… They mock Daniel Bryan’s physical well being. They announce the new IC Champion will be crowned inside the Elimination Chamber in 2 weeks. They put over how the winner will be the greatest IC Champ of all time because of the physicality of the match. They’re interrupted by Sheamus, fella…
“You look stupid” chants. Sheamus kisses the Authority’s butt for a moment, then states that we don’t need an Elimination Chamber match for the IC Title. Sheamus says that he’s the one who ended Daniel Bryan’s career. Video is shown of Sheamus destroying Bryan upon his return to WWE. Sheamus feels he should be rewarded with the IC Title right now.
Cue Ryback… “Feed me more” chants. His ribs are taped up from last night, but he’s walking good… Ryback agrees with the fans, Sheamus looks STOOOPID. Ryback puts over Daniel Bryan hardcore. Steph cuts him off, then he cuts Steph off and her face is priceless… Ryback wants Sheamus to take on somebody his own size right now…
Stephanie announces they can take each other on… As part of the IC Title Elimination Chamber! HHH is feeling it tonight, he says to let them fight right now as well… The match starts when we return.
— Commercial Break —
– WWE App interview with New Day. Xavier Woods is barred from ringside tonight. Woods doesn’t appear to be “positive” as the promo starts, but eventually they all start to clap, before they snap. Everyone is all smiles by the end of the promo.
1. Ryback vs. Sheamus
Ryback chases Sheamus arounf ringisde to begin. Back inside Sheamus tries cheap shot but Ryback with the Thesz Press and takes over. Ryback has control early, makes a pin attempt, but Sheamus comes back with an Irish Curse backbreaker and takes Ryback outside to work over his ribs on the steel… Ryback tries to climb back inside, but Sheamus knocks him off the apron and into the barricade as we go to break.
On the App… Sheamus has control, working over the ribs of Ryback. We get the chinlock and more blah offense.
Back from break on USA, Ryback tries to battle back, they trade shots on their knees. Sheamus to the apron and lands the 10 beats… But Ryback blocks on the 6th shot and drags Sheamus into the ring and nails a POWERBOMB!!! And now both men are down… Ryback with a spinebuster for 2. Ryback looks for the big meat hook clothesline, but Sheamus rolls to the floor and drags Ryback out. Ryback straight up PRESS SLAMS SHEAMUS ONTO THE ANNOUNCE TABLE… Damn that was stiff, lol…
Sheamus comes back and tries to post Ryback, but it’s blocked and Sheamus eats the post. Both men back inside. Ryback goes for Shell Shock, but Sheamus goes to the ribs and escapes… SHeamus fakes an eye injury in the corner, forcing the ref to pull Ryback back twice, and Sheamus comes out of the corner with a BROGUE KICK… He was faking you see… Sheamus wins in 10:00. Decent match, lame finish.
Sheamus wins and his eye is all of a sudden fine.
– HHH & Stephanie are backstage talking about the Seth Rollins segment for the night. Kane joins them and seems to be backing Seth now. That is until Rollins steps in celebrating. He offers champagne to Steph, HHH, and even Kane… Rollins says Kane deserves it most… Kane smiles… Until Seth says that Kane deserves it because Seth saved Kane’s job so he needs to celebrate. Dammmmn.
Dean Ambrose interrupts. Dean says that since he beat Seth the last time they fought, Dean would like to offer Seth a rematch. lol… Ambrose wants the title on the line. Seth refuses because he “beat Ambrose” last night. Kane agrees as he’s sided with Seth now. Kane thinks Seth should get to pick his challengers. Seth walks off.
Ambrose & Kane have an altercation. Dean calls Kane a lapdog, and asks him what Paul Bearer and the Undertaker would say of Kane becoming a glorified butler… Yowch… Kane gets pissed and tells Dean never to bring up his family… Kane makes Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt for tonight… Dean replies with an “OK” then drinks Kane’s champagne and tells Kane not to drink on the clock… Much like the match last night, Ambrose made this segment as well… It’s gotta be killing the higher ups that Dean is 10 times more over than Reigns.
— Commercial Break —
– Renee Young introduces Neville to the ring. He has his rematch with King Barrett in the next segment. Renee asks Neville what it’s like to be a WWE Superstar now. Renee talks about Neville being the longest reigning NXT Champion until they are interrupted by…. BO DALLAS….
Bo compares Neville to a children’s story. The Little Engine that COULDN’T. Dallas would say Neville’s career is looking up, but that would be a lie. And Dallas doesn’t say things he doesn’t BO-LIEVE…
Neville points out that he beat Bo Dallas for the NXT Title. He BO-LIEVES he beat Dallas. lol… Bo attacks Neville’s taped up knee… Neville sends Dallas to the floor, and her comes King Barrett…. I have NO IDEA what this is all about lol…
BO JOINS COMMENTARY… AWWW YEAH!
2. Neville vs. King Barrett
Barrett in control early… Fun commentary with Bo. Michael Cole wants to know if that’s his real voice. Barrett works over the knee of Neville as we go to break.
On the App… Barrett maintains control throughout the break, lots of ground stuff. Barrett spike Neville’s knee into the mat. Nice spot.
Back from break, Neville tries his double handspring gimmick but his knee gives out and Wade stays on top. Cole tries to bury Bo, but JBL and Dallas do a good job of fighting back on commentary. Barrett misses a boot in the corner… Neville goes for his German but his knee buckles again. But somehow Neville can land an Enzuigiri. Neville goes for something big, but his knee goes out… AGAIN. Bull Hammer and it’s over in 7:05. Lame finish yet again.
Following the match Barrett retrieves his King garb, and Bo Dallas pummels the crap out of Nevill’e knee… The announcers chalk it up to Dallas being jealous of Neville’s success. Dallas turns E-VIL and obliterates Neville’s knee.
Well, that came out of nowhere… Good for Bo.
— Commercial Break —
– On the WWE App… King Barrett thinks he should be IC Champion since he never really lost it. He throws his name into the Elimination Chamber match. So that’s three names…
– Titus O’Neil – Mega Dad of the Year Award Winner.. Way to be, now if only they’d push you at your job.
– Back on USA, Rusev has requested time to address his loss last night. Rusev out to the ring. Crowd chants for Lana. Rusev says there will be no Lana tonight. He says Lana needs to learn her place and she does not speak for him. Rusev says he speaks English perfectly and he can say “I Quit”. Rusev talks about how he made Cena pass out and how he crushed Cena. He blames Lana for quitting because she’s weak. Rusev wants Cena in a rematch right now… Well there is an Open Challenge if that’s the case…
Lana comes out to ringside to have Rusev hear her out. She begs Rusev to let her explain herself. She says Rusev isn’t who he appears to be. He’s misunderstood. She believes in Rusev and she’s been with him since the beginning. She calls the loss disappointing, but that’s life. She says she tries to protect Rusev because she CARES FOR HIM… Wow… lol
Rusev craps on Lana having feelings. Lana says she couldn’t stand there and watch Rusev hurt. She did it for them, “us”. She says Rusev said I quit in Bulgarian repeatedly. Rusev says there is no “us” there is only him. He calls Lana weak, pathetic, and disgusting and fires her. He says her weakness made Rusev weak. He runs her out of the ring… Rusev rips her to shreds on the mic, Lana walks off upset.
That segment actually went way better than I expected. Good “rage” from Rusev.
— Commercial Break —
– On the WWE App we learn that R-Truth will be part of the IC Title Chamber match. Whoomp, there it is.
3. Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
I thought these two were done in December. Not sure how this is going to help either guy’s case, but should be a good stiff match. As the two struggle for control, Wyatt slams Dean but misses a quick senton splash. Ambrose takes over and twists and contorts Bray before Wyatt takes over. Dean makes a brief comeback and sends Wyatt to the floor. Dean tries a suicide dive, but Wyatt stops him between the ropes and suplxes him off the middle rope to the floor!!!! Raw goes to break…
On the App… They fight back into the ring. Bray wants a Superplex, but Dean knocks him off and lands his flying elbow drop… Wyatt comes right back with the stiff as body attack for a 2 count… Dean keeps trying to fight back, but Wyatt sends him back out to the floor as we head back to USA.
Back from break, Wyatt has Dean in chin lock of sorts. Dean breaks it but Wyatt with a vertical suplex THROW and Dean rolls to the floor. Outside on the floor both men clothesline the hell out of each other. They both beat the count at 9. Ambrose comes back with his signature stuff, running billdog and Bray rolls to the apron. Dean ties Bray into the ropes and dropkicks him, then a legdrop off the top to the back of Bray’s head. 1….2…. Bray kicks out.
Both men counters each other and Dean sends Bray outside and hits the Suicide Dive! Back inside, Ambrose breaks out of Sister Abigail. Then Bray breaks Dirty Deeds… Ambrose bounces out of the ropes for his stiff clothesline, but WYATT LANDS HIS CLOTHESLINE instead… Great shit from these two… But creative has nothing for them.
The two men slap the shit out of each other and Dean lands the stiff ass clothesline for a near fall… Dean tries for a superplex but takes a bump off…. Wyatt with a Senton off the middle rope… BUT MISSES!!!! Ambrose goes to the top rope….
JOEY MERCURY runs down to distract the ref, Jamie Noble shoves Dean off the ropes right into SISTER ABIGAIL…. and it’s over in 13:25.
Seth Rollons and J&J celebrate on the stage, mocking Dean’s loss. Great match with yet another “eh” finish.
— Commercial Break —
– Tough Enough video. Embarrassing. For every one person that “gets it”, there’s 15 that don’t.
4. WWE Tag Champions New Day (Big E & Kofi) vs. Cesaro & Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya)
Xavier Woods barred from ringside. New Day asks for the fans support as they’ve been screwed with Xavier barred and forced to defend in the Chamber. Cesaro & Big E start. Cesaro shows great strength with a delayed vertical suplex on E… E rolls to the floor, Tyson takes Big E out with a huaracan rana off the apron to the floor. Kofi runs into a European uppercut from Cesaro. New Day is down on the floor as we go to break.
On the App, the challengers have control until Cesaro takes a spill to the floor. New Day with some double team moves as we head back to USA.
Back from break, New Day in control. Big E with a belly to belly on Cesaro. But the challengers come back, hot tag to Tyson who does some fancy moves to drop both champions. Tyson locks Kofi in the Sherpshooter, but Big E breaks it up. All 4 men in the ring now. Big E tosses Cesaro, and New Day double team Tyson until they get DQ’d in 6:00…
Cesaro goes after Kofi after the match, Xavier Woods runs in and we’ve got a 3 vs. 2 brawl.
The Lucha Dragons join the brawl, then the Matadores, then the Ascension, then the Prime Time Players… Lots of fun spots and dives from the guys. The crowd eats it up… We’re informed these are the 6 teams in the Chamber… Lucha Dragons dive out onto everyone except the PTPlayers who have cleared the ring of everyone else. And somehow Rowan & Harper are left out of the scenario…
– During the previous match we learn that Rusev has entered the Elimination Chamber IC match. Rusev comments on the App.
— Commercial Break —
– U.S. Title time. John Cena out for his usual USA promo. Who’s it gonna be???
NXT CHAMPION KEVIN OWENS…???!!!!????? Wow, that’s a fast ascension…
Kevin Owens congratulates Cena on his win at Payback and cuts a mini-heel promo. Owens takes credit for injuring Zayn prior to Zami’s match with Cena. Owens then takes a moment to plug the NXT PPV on Wednesday. Owens puts himself over. Cena puts the fans over for making them the stars they are.
Cena offers veteran advice. But Owens says he’s been wrestling longer then Cena… lol… Owens doesn’t want any advice from Cena. Cena gets pissy and says that Zayn has fire, Owens is scared. Cena calls Owens out, but Owens already has a title, the NXT Title. So he has no interest in the “LITTLE U.S. TITLE”. Owens promises that some day he will face Cena… And when he does… OWENS SUCKER PUNCHES CENA!!!
Owens lays Cena out with a sky high powerbomb and mocks John with the “You Can’t See Me”…. Owens leaves Cena laying in the ring.
So Cena kicks out of a million finishers, and all that crap Rusev did to him last night, but that killed him.
This entire segment was just to plug the NXT Unstoppable show…
So what now? Cena just leaves the ring? LAME
5. U.S. Champion John Cena vs. ???
— Commercial Break —
– We come back to Raw and Michael Cole is still doing a mic check. “Yeah Hi, 1-2-3”. Booker & JBL tease him.
5. Dolph Ziggler vs. Stardust
Cody all over Ziggler to start. Ziggles kicks him in the head to escape Cross Rhodes, and a Zig Zag ends this in 1:26. WOW.
– Michael Cole enters the ring to speak with Dolph Ziggler. Because this happens all the time. Cole informs Ziggler that he has the 6th spot in the IC Chamber match… Ziggler is pumped for the news…
They’re interrupted by….. LANA?!?!?!?!????
Lana steps up to Ziggler with a big smile. LANA KISSES ZIGGLER……
Crowd chants one more time… And they do indeed KISS again…
Ziggler keeps looking around for Rusev… AND OUT COMES RUSEV…..
Rusev attacks Dolps and lays him out with a big kick… Rusev stares down Lana. Rusev talks shit to Lana, screams at her… And LANA SLAPS RUSEV!!!
RUSEV IS PISSSSED… RUSEV GOES TO KICK LANA, BUT ZIGGLER WITH THE ZIG ZAG!!!!
Dolph & Lana leave together….
I don’t even know what to make of this…
– Kane is walking backstage, he tells the crew to make Rollins’ red carpet sparkle. He then passes Adam Rose & Rose Mendes making out… What’s with all this random kissing??? And that’s the entire segment.
— Commercial Break —
6. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan vs. Fandango & Zack Ryder
Fandango tries, but gets killed. Crowd is dead. “We Want Ryder” chant. Fandango finally hits a Tornado DDT on Harper and hot tags to Ryder. Ryder looking good against Harper until he runs into a swinging sidewalk slam… Fandango egts knocked off the apron and Rowan & Harper hit a Superkick into Full Nelson Slam combo move for the win on Zack in 3:25. They’ve gotta kill the Matadores and get into the Chamber… PLEASE.
– Backstage, Stephanie stops to talk to the Bella Twins backstage. Steph is so concerned about Brie and how she’s handling the Daniel Bryan news. Steph wants to get Brie counseling and then she bans Brie from ringside because she doesn’t know how her mind is working right now. Steph says she’s doing it for Brie’s own good… Suuuurrrre.
— Commercial Break —
7. Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Naomi (w/Tamina)
Brie is barred from ringside. I thought “Brie Mode” was an irritating entrance theme, but Naomi’s new theme rivals it for me. The two slap the shit out of each other and Nikki sends Naomi outside. NIKKI WITH A SUICIDE DIVE ON BOTH NAOMI & TAMINA and we go to break.
On the App… Naomi takes over after they get back in the ring. Nothing fancy going on, a chinlock dominates the break. Nikki fights back and breaks it, but runs into a spin kick from Naomi.
Back from break, Naomi working on Nikki. Doctors working on Tamina after the dive from Nikki earlier… Are you serious? She’s hurt already??? Nikki makes her comeback, a REALLLLY shitty spinebuster gets 2. Looked more like a double leg takedown. Nikki picks Naomi up for the Rack Attack, but Tamins rushes in with a Superkick for the DQ in 6:29.
Naomi & Tamina double team Nikki until PAIGE RETURNS and clears he ring… I guess Brie doesn’t care to help out her sis…
Nikki goes to pick up her Divas Title, when Paige hits her with the cradle DDT (RamPaige).
Michael Cole points out Paige won the #1 contenders Battle Royal before she was taken out.
– In the parking lot HHH is talking with Kevin Owens. Renee Young interviews. Kevin Owens announces he will meet Cena at Elimination Chamber.
— Commercial Break —
– It’s time for the “Architect of a Dream” segment. Kane, HHH & Stephanie are already in the red carpet ring. Seth Rollins is introduced with J&J Security. HHH tells Seth he has always believed in him. HHH sees his own reflection in Rollins. HHH asks the fans to give it up for Rollins.
Kane takes over on the mic. He thanks Seth for saving his job. Kane presents Rollins with a dedication video to Seth as WWE Champion.
Jamie Noble puts over Seth next.
Joey Mercury starts to talk… But cue Dean Ambrose!!! Awww, no champagne truck… Dean interrupts. He still wants a title shot. Seth refuses.
Dean wants his title match… OR ELSE…The Authority tell Seth to settle it with Ambrose now. Seth & Dean start to brawl. Ambrose lays out J&J. Dean all over Rollins and then Ambrose removes a sheet to reveal a stack of Cinder BLOCKS at ringside!!! Dean steps on Seth’s head on the blocks and threatens to bash Rollins’ head in if he doesn’t get his rematch. Stephanie obliges and agrees to give Dean his title match at Chamber…
Dean goes to whack Seth anyway, but J&J steal the chair. Dean goes back to the ring, lays out J&J, Kane attacks Dean with a big boot. Kane goes for a chokeslam, but Dean escapes and nails Kane with the stiff clothesline… Dean goes for Dirty Deeds on Kane, but Rollins attacks. Seth lays Ambrose out with a Pedigree to end the show…
Add Ambrose vs. Rollins to the Chamber PPV….
