New WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose opens the show, only to be interrupted by Roman Reigns, who congratulates him.
An irate Rollins joins them and disputes with Roman about who should get the next title shot. Out comes Shane McMahon to announce Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns for tonight’s Raw to decide the number one contender to Ambrose’s Title!
Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens is up next, and a short, yet intense showdown ends with Zayn getting the win with a roll-up. But wait, there’s a lot of afters as Owens goes after Zayn, unable to digest the defeat.
The referees have to intervene as these two go at it on the ramp, as we cut to a break.
We come back, only to see these men STILL going at it in the backstage area, as Michael Cole quips in that it may be better for both men to be separated by the brand split. Why oh why would we want that?
John Laurinaitis and Shane McMahon Segment
You wouldn’t believe who comes out next; it’s John Laurinaitis!
He starts putting everyone to sleep, only for Shane McMahon to come out to literally make the save. He wants to run Smackdown but Shane shoots him down, saying that HE will be running it. Big revelation?
Anyway, glad to note that Laurinaitis isn’t in the running here as he gets shooed away by Shane.
Enzo & Cass vs The Vaudevillains
Enzo and Cass come out next, and Shane joins Cass for his customary shuffle. Good stuff here as we cut to the break!
It’s Enzo & Cass versus the Vaudevillains here, as we get a plug for how Big Cass snapped when they tried to take Enzo out a couple of weeks ago. It’s a match built for one purpose, to build up Big Cass, as the commentators wax lyrical about him and how he can be a future world champion.
Is a split coming soon for Enzo and Cass?
I certainly hope not! Oh, and Cass makes light work of The Vaudevillains.
AJ Styles & Club segment followed by John Cena vs Karl Anderson
AJ Styles is out next, and he says that his victory against John Cena was ‘tainted’ by The Club. He proceeds to call them out for a public apology. Fishy to say the least.
True enough, he seems to be trolling everyone as he calls out John Cena and The Club ‘apologises’ to him. Cena isn’t in the mood and they exchange barbs, before making John Cena versus Karl Anderson for the night.
The match is next, and AJ and Gallows vow not to get involved. Cena pretty much ragdolls Anderson and is about to put him away when we discover, to our greatest surprise, that AJ was lying.
It’s 3 on 1 again as The Club land the Magic Killer on Cena to leave him lying in the middle of the ring to close out the segment.
Seth Rollins backstage segment
Next up is a backstage segment featuring Seth Rollins talking to Jojo. He claims that he will once and for all prove who the best member of the Shield is tonight. Is it just me or is Seth turning face and Roman showing heelish tendencies?
Becky Lynch and Natalya backstage segment
Becky Lynch is being interviewed by Renee Young next up and she claims she is sick and tired of being stabbed in the back. Natalya attacks her from behind again and lays her out, saying she’s going to look out for herself. Worst booked heel turn ever, anyone?
Baron Corbin vs Dolph Ziggler
Baron Corbin takes on Zack Ryder in the next segment. Squash match warning! And unsurprisingly, Corbin puts away Ryder without much fuss as JBL plugs him too as a future WWE World Champion.
I mean, it is the New Era isn’t it?
Paige vs Charlotte (w) Dana Brooke (Sasha Banks returns!)
WWE Women’s Championship on the line as Paige takes on Charlotte, who of course has Dana Brooke in her corner.
It’s a to and fro match, with neither women taking the clear cut advantage. Paige hits the Rampaige but Dana Brooke attempts to get Charlotte’s leg on the lowest rope to negate the pin. She botches even that and is sent away from the ringside.
But the distraction is enough for Charlotte to hit Natural Selection on Paige and pin her for the three count. But as Dana Brooke and Charlotte continue to punish Paige after the match is over, Sasha Banks makes her return!
Paige and Sasha seem to work together as they send Charlotte and Dana Brooke scurrying. Sasha also poses with the WWE Women’s Championship!
The Wyatts and New Day segment
Bray Wyatt makes his return next, only to be interrupted by The New Day!?
The New Day start off with their usual cheer and gaiety but Xavier Woods seems disturbed by something. Bray Wyatt says they don’t realise what they’ve done by interrupting him and that New Day falls in the future!
Creepy!
Titus O’Neil vs Rusev
Titus O’Neil is scheduled to face Rusev next, but this match never gets started as Titus is extremely ticked off after the disrespect dished out to him by Rusev yesterday and goes after him before the bell is sounded.
They take the fight outside and Titus is relentless, causing Rusev to hightail through the crowd. Titus made to look strong here, so I guess this feud isn’t over yet.
Chris Jericho and Shane McMahon backstage segment
We cut to a backstage segment with Shane McMahon and Chris Jericho, who claims that he should be made number one contender for Ambrose’s WWE World Heavyweight Title. In the argument that ensues, Jericho says he prays he doesn’t end up in the same brand that Shane is running, for which Shane replies that he may run both!
The WWE sure are playing their cards close to their chest on this one! A month away from the draft and we have no clue about who will be running what.
Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns (Number 1 contender match) (w) Dean Ambrose on commentary
Main event next, as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose comes out to sit at ringside on commentary to watch Roman Reigns versus Seth Rollins. The two of them go at it, as Dean entertains on commentary.
They put on another to-and-fro encounter, replete with near falls and quite excellent in-ring chemistry. These two can really turn it up a notch!But they take it outside and Reigns spears Rollins over the Spanish announcers’ table. But both men are unable to recover in time as the match ends with a double countout. Shane McMahon then comes out to take stock of the situation; after all we do need a number one contender.
But Dean Ambrose beats him to it and proposes that he would fight both of them.
So it’s official. Shield Triple Threat at WWE Battleground!
Dean Ambrose then hits both Reigns and Rollins with Dirty Deeds to close out Raw holding his WWE World Heavyweight Championship aloft.
