WWE Monday Night RAW: Live coverage and results - August 18, 2014

Brock Lesnar to appear as the new WWE World Heavyweight champion

Hello ladies and gentleman and welcome to the live coverage of Monday Night Raw. On this fallout episode of Raw, we take alook at our new World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar while the WWE universe awaits the reply of Nikki Bella as to why she turned on her sister Brie.

Opening segment with Stephanie McMahon

RAW opened with Stephanie McMahon coming down to the ring chanting “Yes!” The fans booed her as she walked down in her new shirt. She took the mic and thanked the fans for supporting her. She then talked about SummerSlam, and said it was a huge success. She said some people thought SummerSlam was better than WrestleMania! She then spoke about the new WWE World Heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar and said he would be presented with a new belt later on the show. Stephanie then said that the biggest loser of last night was Brie Bella. Stephanie then plugged the WWE Network, and said the fans can relive the moment again for 9.99. She then ripped on Daniel Bryan, and thanked her husband for being her rock. She then brought out Nikki Bella to a chorus of boos. Nikki said Brie turned on her, and not the other way around. The fans chanted “What?”, as Nikki called Brie selfish and manipulative. She then ripped on Daniel Bryan for marrying Brie, and said it was all about her since they were kids. This brought out Brie Bella, who said she still loved her sister, and asked her why she did what she did. She said Nikki destroyed her family, but said she could forgive her. Nikki decked Brie again as Stephanie looked shocked. Brie left the ring in tears as the fans chanted “You sold out” directed at Nikki.

Analysis: That was a good opening segment, and we now have a full fledged rivalry between the two sisters. Where will it go from here? I honestly don’t know.

Big Show and Mark Henry vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan

Big Show returned to in-ring action on RAW when he teamed up with Mark Henry to take on Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. After a good back and forth action which involved Show dominating the match, the match ended when Show KO’d Harper and Rowan was taken down with the World’s Most Strongest Slam by Mark Henry to pick up the victory for his team.

Winners: Big Show and Mark Henry

Rating: **

Analysis:Was there a meaning for the bout? I don’t think so. Anyway, Show and Henry were dominant, and I wouldn’t mind if WWE teamed them up together.

Backstage, Ziggler, Miz and Ric Flair were involved in a segment where Ziggler told Miz that he wasn’t an A – lister, but an a – hole. Miz then left the scene as Ziggler and Flair exchanged words.

Segment with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose

Backstage, Renee interviewed Seth Rollins, who told her that he did what he told the world he would do. He said he didn’t run or hide, but stood tall and defeated Dean Ambrose. He went on about his victory, as Dean appeared out of nowhere and dumped ice water on Seth. Dean then mocked Seth by saying he did that for charity, as both of them then started brawling.

Seth then stormed into a room where Triple H and Kane were talking, and Seth wanted them to finish Dean. Triple H then announced a match between Seth and Dean later on the show. Triple H said the fans get to pick the stipulation, and said the blood of Dean would be on their hands. They talked about ending Dean once and for all as Seth left the room.

Natalya vs. Paige

Natalya waited in the ring as Paige made her way down to the ring skipping. She took the mic and said she dedicated the match to her little friend AJ. Both the women then locked up as AJ’s music hit! She came down to the ring which distracted Paige, allowing Natalya to roll up the new Divas champion to pick up the victory!

Winner: Natalya

Rating: ½ *

Analysis: We have a new face to head the Divas’ division, and their feud is getting better. Natalya’s victory might not lead to anything important, but it was a fun little segment to further their feud.

Post match, AJ took the mic and said she needed to congratulate Paige by shaking her hand as Paige threw a fit. Paige then looked worried and quickly escaped the ring, making her way back to the top of the ramp as AJ looked on with a smirk. The fans chanted for CM Punk as the segment ended.

Segment with Brock Lesnar, The Authority and Paul Heyman

Back from commercial, and Triple H and Stephanie McMahon made their way down to the ring. The new title was on a podium under a cloth. Triple H talked about a new champion being crowned last night, and introduced Brock Lesnar to a big pop. Lesnar made his way down to the ring along with Heyman, and Triple H, Stephanie, Lesnar and Heyman posed with the new title for the fans. The Authority left the ring as the fans chanted “Thank you Lesnar”.

Heyman then took the mic and ripped on John Cena. Heyman talked about the reigns of The Rock and Austin, and said that for the past 10 years, there has been only one constant name, and that has been John Cena. Heyman said Cena would have been the greatest name in professional wrestling history had it not been for John Cena. Heyman then spoke about Lesnar conquering John Cena, and said he was impressed with Cena’s resiliency. Heyman said Cena finally had his respect, and if it were possible, he’d make Cena a Paul Heyman Guy. Heyman said Lesnar didn’t share the same opinion, and then put Lesnar over. Heyman talked about Lesnar giving 16 Germans to Cena, and ended the segment saying Lesnar conquered John Cena.

Analysis: That was yet another amazing promo by Paul Heyman. Brock Lesnar is now the new face of the WWE, and it was obvious that the fans wanted exactly that. Heyman summarized the whole feud in one promo, and did only what Heyman could do.

Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz for the WWE Intercontinental championship

Ziggler came out to a big pop, followed by The Miz. Miz worked on Ziggler’s leg, and after back and forth action, Miz dumped Ziggler to the floor, and Ziggler was unable to make it back to the ring before the 10 count, leading to a count out victory for The Miz.

Winner: The Miz

Rating: * ½

Analysis: Miz defeated Ziggler in the rematch, which would be enough to give him another shot at the title, possibly at the next PPV. Honestly, I don’t think the fans care about The Miz, but the WWE will keep pushing him because of his new movie.

After the match, Miz went to attack Ziggler, but Ziggler took him down with the Zig Zag to end the segment.

Renee was with Jack Swagger backstage, and Swagger said he let his country down, and then cut a promo about getting back on his feet.

Jack Swagger vs. Cesaro

Cesaro and Swagger went at it to begin the match, and there was no Zeb in Jack’s corner. Swagger went on the offensive, and delivered Swagger bomb, and followed it up with the ankle lock from the apron. The referee had to get involved physically, giving Cesaro the opportunity to poke Swagger in his eye and deliver the Neutralizer to give him the victory.

Winner: Cesaro

Rating: * ½

Analysis: That could’ve been much better had WWE given them more time. Swagger is on a losing streak, which would add to the current story.

Post match, Bo Dallas came out and said Jack let 318 million Americans down. He then ripped on Swagger for losing back to back matches, and said Jack can turn it all around, and all he has to do is Bo – lieve.

Backstage segment with Chris Jericho

Renee interviewed Chris Jericho backstage, and Jericho talked about facing dozens of legends in the WWE. Jericho said he had never faced anyone like Bray Wyatt. Jericho said he looked into Bray’s eyes and found nothing. He said no matter what happens, his fans will always support him and will rally behind him. Jericho ended the segment by saying he will never give up.

RybAxel and Orton vs. RVD, Sheamus and Roman Reigns

RVD started things off with Orton, and delivered the rolling thunder as Orton went to the outside to regroup, and WWE went into commercial.

Back from the break, and Sheamus delivered the battering ram to Axel as the fans chanted “We want Ryback”! Ryback tagged in as the crowd started a “Feed me more” chant. Ryback decked Sheamus and unloaded on him. Reigns finally made the hot tag as he unloaded on Axel. Reigns dominated his opponents with the running dropkick, and connected with a Superman punch on Axel and another one to Ryback. Orton stopped him with a backbreaker, and all hell broke loose as RVD came in. Sheamus connected with a Brogue kick on Ryback as Reigns took Orton out with a spear. RVD connected with the five star frogsplash on Axel to pick up the victory.

Winners: RVD, Sheamus and Reigns

Rating: ** ½

Analysis: That was a decent 6 man tag match, and the fans were firmly behind Ryback, which was surprising. The match also focused on the rivalry between Reigns and Orton, and with Orton losing twice in 24 hours, it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here.

Backstage, Flair tried talking to Orton, but Orton threatened Flair and asked him to get away from him.

The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust

The Usos made their way out first, followed by Goldust and Stardust. The Usos were in control of the match in the early going, as they worked over Goldust and isolated him. Stardust tagged in and took out Jimmy and Jey, but was stopped in his tracks, and was worked over. The crowd started a “Let’s go Usos/Let’s go Stardust” chant. Stardust was dropped on his head, but he managed to roll up Jey to pick up the upset victory!

Winners: Goldust and Stardust

Rating: **

Analysis: That was an upset victory, considering Stardust had to pull it out of his bag. Will this put the Dust – brothers in title contention? Maybe.

WWE asked the fans to choose the stipulations for the match between Dean and Seth.

Segment with Lana and Rusev

Lana and Rusev made their way out to the ring, and Lana took the mic to cut a promo. She put over Russia and Putin, but was interrupted by Mark Henry!

Henry talked about representing the United States in the Olympics, and said he never had a problem with anyone before. He called Lana and Rusev “jackasses”, and said what happened at SummerSlam made him sick to his stomach. Henry then threatened Rusev, and asked Lana to keep quiet. Henry then blocked a kick by Rusev, and delivered the WSS to Rusev as the fans chanted “USA”. Henry then delivered a splash to end the segment.

Analysis: Looks like we have a new feud on our hands. What will WWE do with Swagger now? Swagger finally found his place in the company with his feud with Rusev, and it’s sad that WWE is already moving on.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins in a Falls Count Anywhere match

Ambrose made his way out first, followed by Seth Rollins. Great back and forth action between the two, as Seth seemed to have the upper hand till the half way point. Seth asked Dean if that was what he wanted as he dished out punishment. Dean fought his way back and took Rollins down with a side Russian leg sweep with a kendo stick. More back and forth action as Dean piled up a stack of chairs in the ring, and tried to superplex Seth on top of them! Seth turned it around with a sit down powerbomb on the pile of chairs, and Dean still kicked out!

Kane made his way out to ringside as Rollins took out a table, as the fans cheered. Rollins set up the table, but Dean turned it around and superplexed him through the table! Kane tried to interfere, but Dean took him out and came down with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Dean connected with Dirty Deeds, but Kane pulled him out of the ring and decked him with a couple of rights. Dean drop toe holded him into the steps, and took Rollins into the fans’ area as the fans chanted “This is awesome”! Back at ringside, Dean tried to put Rollins through the table, but Kane interfered and chokeslammed him on the table. Rollins then drilled Dean with the curb stomp on the announcer’s table. Kane then revealed cinder blocks at ringside, and held Dean’s head on top as Rollins came down with the curb stomp on the cinder blocks! The referee stopped the match as Rollins and Kane laughed to end the show.

Winner: No Contest

Rating: ****

Analysis: That was yet another amazing match between these two. The ending made all the sense in the world, as Dean is set to take a hiatus for his new movie. The fans loved the spots in the match, and the two showed just why they’re the future of the company.

Post match, the medics tended to Dean as Rollins posed on top of the table.

Over – all rating of the show: *** (Out of 5 stars)

That was an above average show, as it fell flat in the middle. Paul Heyman’s promo and the main event were the only two bright spots of the show, and it looks like Swagger’s face run is over even before it took off. Anyway, that does it for this week’s episode. Hope you’ve enjoyed the show.