Here are the results from tonight’s (Mon. March 20, 2017) episode of WWE Monday Night RAW (courtesy of PWInsider):
We are in Brooklyn, New York and your announcers are Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves.
Mick pulls out a prepared statement and he says that he is a humbled man. A man who has had the honor of calling himself the General Manager of Raw for the last 9 months. Mick says he wants to thank Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime, an opportunity he put in jeopardy when he shoved Mr. Socko into Triple H’s mouth. Mick says for that he apologizes. With less than two weeks until the biggest night of the year, the last thing he wants is his personal problems with Stephanie to get in the way. He wants people to talk about Wrestlemania and not the General Manager and Comissioner.
Mick says that for his own personal sanity, he is taking a leave of absence.
Mick points out that he is using index cards and then he rips them up. After 31 years, he is given index cards ten minutes before he goes out. Mick says he will say what he wants to say, but his mic is cut off.
Mick continues to talk but his mic is continually cut off.
Stephanie McMahon’s music plays and she makes her way to the ring.
Stephanie asks Mick if his mic is not working. She says she gave him a golden opportunity to be General Manager and you attack her husband. You are then given a chance to give your farewell address in your home state. Stephanie says she gave him index cards because he always screws up. Stephanie says it is all about you being liked. She says he does not care about what is best for business or make the tough decisions. She says that there is something that she has been meaning to say for years. She tells Mick that she has two words for him . . .
YOU’RE FIRED!!
Sami Zayn makes his way to the stage. He tells Stephanie what she is doing to Mick Foley is wrong. He says that she has been wrong about a lot of her decisions, but no one has the guts to say them to her face.
Stephanie tells Sami that he can help his broken down mentor to the back so the show can continue.
Sami does not follow Foley and he goes into the ring. He tells Stephanie that Mick has shown more integrity in nine months as General Manager than Stephanie in her whole life. He tells Stephanie that she should be ashamed of herself because Mick did not turn into the Yes Man.
Stephanie says that Sami is not on a level to criticize her or even to talk to her. She asks Sami to go back to the locker room to figure out how he will make this up to her.
Sami does not leave and he says the smart thing would be to leave and go to the back. Sami says he is not about doing the smart thing, but he is about doing the right thing. He is not going to go anywhere until . . .
Samoa Joe’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Stephanie tells Joe he’s got this. This farewell is over and Mick can leave. Stephanie says that Sami will be in action against Samoa Joe and that match is right now.
Sami with a plancha onto Joe and then we go to commercial.
Match Number One: Samoa Joe versus Sami Zayn
Joe with punches but Zayn with forearms. Joe with a back elbow and kicks to the chest. Joe chops Zayn but Zayn with a leap frog and head scissors. Zayn goes for the Blue Thunder Bomb but Joe with elbows to stop him. Joe with a chop and kick followed by an elbow drop for a near fall. Zayn with an elbow and then he flips over Joe and Joe blocks a drop kick. Zayn with a forearm but Joe with a power slam for a near fall. Joe with a hard Irish whip. Zayn chops Joe but Joe chops back. Zayn with a chop and Joe with a forearm. Joe sends Zayn into the turnbuckles but he runs into a boot. Joe with a chop and he sets for the muscle buster.
Joe with an enzuigiri and Zayn goes to the floor. Joe with a suicide dive and forearm.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Joe stretches Zayn. We see Joe with a running boot and back senton during the commercial break. Zayn kicks Joe away and Zayn punches Joe. Joe with an Irish whip and running elbow followed by an enzuigiri. Zayn goes to the floor and Joe follows. Zayn is sent into the ring post. Joe with a running boot to the head and Zayn is down. The referee’s count gets to nine and Zayn powers up to get back into the ring.
Joe with kicks to the head but Zayn with a clothesline. Zayn chops Joe but Joe with an Irish whip. Zayn wtih an elbow and a boot followed by a double jump cross body for a near fall. Joe pulls Zayn to the floor and Zayn sends Joe into the ring post. Zayn sees where Joe is and Zayn goes through the corner and hits a tornado DDT but Zayn holds his left arm. They get back into the ring and Zayn sets for the Helluva Kick but Joe with an STJoe and then he locks in the Kokina Clutch.
Zayn taps out after trying to fight out of the hold.
Winner: Samoa Joe
We take a look back at the history between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. We start with Strowman interfering in the Universal Title Match at The Royal Rumble.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Mick tells Sami that he appreciates what Sami did for him, but he thought it was dumb.
Sami says that Mick needs to stay to stand up for everyone.
Mick says he appreciates what Sami did and everyone needs to stand up for themselves.
Sami says it was an honor to meet his hero and he shakes Mick’s hand as MIck does the walk of disappointment.
Cesaro and Sheamus thank Mick for believing in them.
Mick says everyone thought it was crazy to put them together, but doing that was the easiest part of his job.
Mick keeps walking and talks to the Cruiserweights.
Mick stops and sees Bayley. They hug and then he turns around and . . .
Triple H is standing between him and the door.
Hunter tells Mick to have a nice day and he walks away as Mick walks out of the arena.
We take a look back at what happened between Triple H and Seth Rollins on Raw.
We see Seth back in Birmingham doing more rehab.
Michael Cole is with Kevin Wilk and he says that Seth reaggravated his injury but it could have been worse if he was not wearing his knee brace. He says the rehab is doing better than he expected and Seth is the most driven person he has ever seen. Kevin is asked if Seth will be at Wrestlemania. Kevin says he never said Seth would be ready for Wrestlemania. It will be several months before he is ready. No doctor will clear him, but if he does show up then he will be back doing rehab the next day.
Match Number Two: Charlotte Flair versus Dana Brooke
Dana with a waist lock take down and punches. Dana with shoulders in the corner. Dana kicks Charlotte and then sends Charlotte to the mat with arm wringers. Dana with punches. Charlotte goes to the floor to avoid Dana’s offense. Charlotte with a shoulder as Dana charges at her. Dana with a forearm and leg sweep that drops Charlotte on the apron. Dana gets a near fall. Dana with a full nelson and Charlotte tries to escape but Dana holds on. Dana with a clothesline and she gets a near fall.
Charlotte with elbows and chops but she misses a boot. Dana with a double leg take down and punches. Dana gets a near fall. Dana slaps Charlotte. Charlotte with an Irish whip but Dana gets a boot up. Charlotte with a boot to Dana and she gets the three count.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
We go to commercial.
We are back and Stephanie McMahon walks in the back and she sees Bayley. Stephanie asks Bayley if she needs a hug.
Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring for The Highlight Reel.
Chris mentions that his guest is the “Real” Kevin Owens. He says he does not need Kevin Owens to be his friend because he has a lot of friends here in Brooklyn.
Chris says that Kevin calls himself cold blooded and a hit man, but that is not the case.
Chris shows us the ‘real’ Kevin Owens and it is a photo of Kevin in a Y2J t-shirt at age 16. He says Kevin does not look like a prize fighter. He looks like a fan of Jericho. The influence of Chris Jericho on Kevin Owens does not end in 2000. It continues to 2014 when Kevin is all growns up and he is signed by the WWE. Kevin reached out to his idol for advice. We see Direct messages between Kevin and Chris.
Chris says he does need something. He needs that night back when he was in the hospital after the Festival of Friendship. Chris wants to see the real face of Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania. The same one we saw at Fastlane. That face is nervous and intimidated. They were never friends because that would imply they were equals. Chris is Kevin’s hero and idol.
In less than two weeks when you are in the ring at Wrestlemania and Chris’ music plays, it will transform you back to your parent’s basement. You are going to realize what you got yourself into when the music plays. You will be facing your hero.
Chris says if you think it hurt when he caused Kevin to lose the Universal Title. Wait to see how much it will hurt after their match at Wrestlemania. Chris says that you know what happens when you stab Chris Jericho in the back? Do you know what happens when you betray Chris Jericho?
Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring and Kevin Owens attacks Jericho from behind. Joe’s work is done and he goes to the back while Owens kicks Jericho. Jericho punches Owens but Owens with a forearm and knees. Owens with a pop up powerbomb. Owens takes the List of Jericho and he throws the pen out of the ring. Owens rips up the list and then he leaves the ring.
We take a look at the battle between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns during the contract signing.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Kevin Owens’ attack on Chris Jericho.
Match Number Three: TJ Perkins versus Brian Kendrick
Kendrick refuses the handshake and Perkins with a jumping back heel kick and Kendrick goes to the floor. Perkins goes for the slingshot drop kick but Kendrick moves so he tries again and connects. Perkins sends Kendrick back into the ring and he goes up top. Perkins with a cross body for a near fall. Kendrick pulls the hair to escape a Detonation Kick and then Kendrick grabs the hair and hits Sliced Bread #2 for the three count.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
After the match, Kendrick gets a mic and he wants to know where Akira Tozawa is. He says he is a sitting duck right now. Brian mentions that Tozawa is not even in the country now. To travel to the United States, you need one of these . . . and he pulls out Tozawa’s passport. Brian says he found it on the locker room floor. He tells Tozawa to be careful what he leaves lying around.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Shawn Michaels’ appearance on Raw and his confrontation with Roman Reigns.
Roman is asked about his match with Undertaker and will it affect his match tonight. Roman says the only time he pictures the Dead Man is when he is laying down on the mat in the ring at Wrestlemania. Roman says that this is his yard.
It is time for a video package for the Universal Title Match. They talk about how Goldberg was lightning in a bottle and he looked like a man who could not be stopped. Goldberg talks about how his son and wife never got to see him in the ring and he thought he could do it one more time. We see footage from Wrestlemania 20 when Goldberg beat Lesnar.
Nia Jax walks in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus and Cesaro are talking in the back and Stephanie interrupts and she says the man they can thank for making them a team and putting them in the Tag Title Match at Wrestlemania. They will have to earn it again and win a two on four match. If they lose, they will not be competing at Wrestlemania.
Match Number Four: Bayley versus Nia Jax in a If Nia wins this No Disqualification Match, then Nia is in the Women’s Title Match at Wrestlemania Match
Bayley with forearms but Nia pushes her back. Bayley with a kick and forearms to Nia. Bayley climbs the turnbuckles but Nia pushes Bayley away. Bayley sends Nia’s head into the turnbuckles but Nia blocks it. Bayley with a sleeper but Nia with a snap mare to get Bayley to release the hold.
Charlotte is in the back and there is a monitor next to her, but I don’t think she is able to look at it from her position in the room.
Back to the action in the ring and Nia sends Bayley into the ringside barrier.
Sasha watches in another room from a more normal angle.
Bayley comes off the apron and Nia catches her. Bayley gets to the apron before Nia can power bomb her. Nia drops Bayley on the apron. Nia pushes Bayley near the ring steps and Nia goes for a hip attack against the stairs but Bayley moves. We go to commercial.
We are back and Nia with a reverse chin lock. We see footage from the commercial break when Nia gave Bayley snake eyes. Bayley with forearms but Nia with a body block and a shoulder breaker. Nia with elbow drops for near falls. Nia with a Cobra Clutch. Bayley with punches and a slap. Nia throws Bayley to the floor. Nia grabs Bayley by the head and swings her into the ringside barrier a few times. Nia gets a chair but Bayley kicks it into Nia’s face. Nia with a head butt as she returns to the ring.
Bayley kicks Nia in the head and hits a stunner into the ropes. Bayley with a running knee to the back and she gets a near fall. Bayley with a corkscrew back elbow to the back followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Bayley with a cross body for a near fall. Bayley with a boot to Nia but Nia pulls Bayley off the turnbuckles and Bayley hits the turnbuckle. Nia with a Samoan Drop for the three count.
Winner: Nia Jax
We see Charlotte and Sasha in their respective rooms not too happy about the fact that Nia won (even though it was a no disqualification match and they could have kept her from winning)
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole is in the ring and he talks about how if the match happened between Triple H and Seth Rollins, it would be a dream match. Michael brings out Triple H.
Hunter says Mick Foley is a prime example. How many times have the fans ruined things for him. Hunter mentions the ear and how Foley walks. He says it is everyone’s fault.
Seth becomes addicted to the roar of the crowd. He shows up last week and Seth drops his crutch and that blows the roof off the place because Seth is going to stand on his own two feet to kick Triple H’s ass. That lasts for about thirty seconds before he beats Seth into a crippled heap.
We see the footage from last week.
Hunter says that is on you.
Cole asks Hunter about Seth being his former protege and if he would have done anything different with Seth. Hunter says he thought Seth was the future the first time he saw him in the ring. He showed Seth the way. Hunter says he gave the architect the blueprint. Hunter says Seth started to whine when things did not go his way. Hunter says he was a crutch to help Seth get to the top.
Hunter says he is officially done with Seth Rollins.
Hunter gives Cole an envelope and he tells him it is some comp tickets for Wrestlemania.
Hunter starts to leave the ring but he takes them back. Hunter asks if there was a way for them to fight at Wrestlemania.
Cole reminds Hunter that Seth was not medically cleared.
Hunter says Seth wants to fight him and Hunter wants to fight Seth. Hunter asks if the people want to see them fight at Wrestlemania. Hunter says if he signs a Hold Harmless Agreement and Seth signs it next week to be in an Unsanctioned Match. Then Seth cannot sue him or his wife.
Hunter tells Seth to show up next week to sign the document and they can have their match at Wrestlemania. Hunter asks if Seth is a coward.
We take a look at the match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman from Fastlane.
We go to commercial.
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady do their entrance and Colin says Sheamus and Cesaro can kiss their Wrestlemania dreams goodbye because they have home field advantage.
Match Number Five: Sheamus and Cesaro versus Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Enzo Amore, and Colin Cassady in a If Sheamus and Cesaro do not win, they are no longer in the Tag Title Match at Wrestlemania Match
Anderson and Gallows attack Colin and Enzo as they enter the ring and send Colin and Enzo into the ring post.
Anderson with a boot to Cesaro in the corner. Colin pulls Luke off the apron when he tries to make the tag. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick Hart Attack and the three count.
Winners: Sheamus and Cesaro
After the match, Colin with a running boot to knock Luke off the apron and then they hit a Rocket Launcher on Anderson.
We go to the New Day and Xavier says they are excited to host Wrestlemania and he talks about Roman Reigns versus Undertaker. Big E talks about Bill Goldberg versus Brock Lesnar. Kofi talks about the match between Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho.
Xavier mentions Smackdown Live and Kofi talks about the WWE Title Match between Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt. Xavier says it will burn the house down.
Big E talks about Goldberg versus Lesnar.
Match Number Six: Austin Aries versus Tony Nese
Nese attacks Aries as he does his match starting jumping. Nese with a forearm and Irish whip but Aries floats over and Aries with a cartwheel and he boxes the ears. Aries with a punch but Nese drops Aries on the top turnbuckle. Nese with a series of kicks and a back heel kick. Nese with a crossface followed by a slam and leaping leg drop for a near fall. Aries with a forearm but Nese with a punch. Aries sends Nese over the top rope to the floor and then he hits a Heat Seeking Missile.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nese with a torture rack but Aries with a sunset flip to escape and he gets a near fall. Nese with a running elbow and he goes to the floor to pose. Aries with a neck breaker in the middle rope and then Aries with a running clothesline or two followed by a chop. Aries with a gutbuster followed by an STO and it is time for the Pendulum Elbow Drop. Aries with a Finlay Slam and Aries goes up top and hits a missile drop kick. Aries with a running forearm followed by a rolling elbow and the three count.
Winner: Austin Aries
After the match, Neville comes out and Aries introduces him. Aries says he did not have an interview scheduled with him so why is he out here?
Neville says this is no interview. He says he could come to the ring right now and obliterate Aries like he did everyone else. Why would he bother? Austin Aries is beneath him. Aries is not threat to the King. Sitting back and watching your ego spiral out of control will make his inevitable victory at Wrestlemania even more satisfying.
Aries says that is the worst and most unbelievable interview segment he has done on Raw. He hears the words coming out of your mouth, but what he sees is something different. What he sees is a man who knows he has to step in this ring with another man who is not at his level, but is above his level. Aries tells Neville to say over and over again and tell anyone who listens to him tell them that he is the King of the Cruiserweights. When Aries wins the title, this facade will be over.
We have an Emma video package and she is coming soon.
We are back and it is time to look at the second part of the Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar video package.
Braun Strowman is asked about his match and Braun says he will not face Roman tonight, he will destroy him. He says if Undertaker is going to face Roman at Wrestlemania, he will need a shovel to scrape him off the mat.
Match Number Seven: Roman Reigns versus Braun Strowman
Reigns with punches and kicks. Strowman misses a punch and Roman with punches to Strowman. Strowman sends Roman to the floor. Reigns drops Strowman on the top rope and then Roman kicks Strowman to the floor. Roman goes for the Drive By but Strowman with a clothesline. Strowman with a spinebuster for a near fall. Strowman with crossfaces to Roman. Strowman with a shoulder followed by a knee and elbow in the corner. Strowman with a hard Irish whip.
Strowman with crossfaces to Roman followed by a reverse chin lock. Roman struggles to stay conscious but he gets back to his feet. Roman with punches but Strowman with a knee. Roman with clotheslines and forearms. Roman goes for a Samoan drop but he cannot get Strowman up. Strowman with a clothesline. Strowman with a kick to the ribs and then he hits a splash into the corner. Strowman with an Irish whip but he misses a shoulder in the corner and Strowman goes into the ring post. Roman with a kick.
Roman with NeverEnding Story but Strowman goes for a choke slam but Roman lands on his feet. Roman with an uppercut and a Samoan drop for a near fall. Roman with a Drive By and then Strowman sends Reigns into the ring steps. Strowman throws the ring steps into the ring. Strowman picks up the ring steps but Reigns with a Superman punch. Reigns sets for another Superman punch but Strowman blocks it. Strowman runs into a boot and then Roman with a Superman punch. Reigns sets for the Spear . . .
but the gong sounds and the lights go out.
They come back on and Undertaker is in the center of the ring.
Taker grabs Strowman and hits a choke slam on Braun and Braun rolls to the floor.
Reigns with a spear to Undertaker.
Undertaker sits up as Roman walks to the back.
Undertaker gets to his feet and he poses and does the throat slash.
We go to credits.
