Show: RAW
Location: Hartford, CT at the XL Center
Date: April 25th, 2016
Airing Live On The USA Network
Welcome to the WWE Raw pre-show, and we are live on the WWE Network. Scott Stanford, Booker T, Corey Graves, and David Otunga hype what we will see tonight, which is Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows vs. The Usos and the other matches that have been announced. There is a recap video of last week’s episode of RAW. WWE announced that Kalisto would defend his US Title against Ryback at Payback.
Welcome to WWE Monday Night RAW. There was a graphic for the late Chyna. A video package of last week’s episode of RAW was shown. Shane McMahon walked out to the ring and said that the fun is going to keep rolling on. This led to Stephanie McMahon walking down to the ring. Stephanie said that the fans are tired of Shane acting like a politician, and she knows that because she is from Hartford. Stephanie said that she has announcement, and that announcement is that this is Shane’s last night running RAW. Stephanie said that at Payback Vince McMahon will decide who will run RAW. Shane asked the fans who they would want to see run RAW. The fans cheered for him. Stephanie said that Vince will not let the fans factor into his decision. Stephanie believes things will not go his way. Shane told Stephanie to get out of the ring. Stephanie said that she is not going anywhere and is just going to hang out in her ring. Shane brought security to the ring to make sure she left. She did but after she slapped a security guy. They took her to the back. Shane brought out AJ Styles for his match.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: AJ Styles vs. Sheamus.
Sheamus jumps him and puts the boots to him. Styles fights back and lands a drop kick. Sheamus cut him off with a big right hand. Styles fires back with a series of right hands. Styles sent him to the floor and hit a running knee. Styles missed a moonsault and Sheamus sent him into the steel steps.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Sheamus in control of Styles. Sheamus locked in the Cloverleaf submission, but Styles got to the bottom rope. Styles fought back and hit the springboard forearm shot for the win.
Winner: Styles.
Post-match, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows walk out on the stage and applauds Styles.
The Usos tells Roman Reigns backstage that they have his back.
-Commercial Break-
The New Day walked down to the ring and said that the #1 contenders for their tag team titles will be decided at Payback. The Vaudevillians walk down to the ring and vow to become the new #1 contenders. This led to Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady walking out. Enzo does his usual intro promo. Enzo said that the Vaudevillains were wannabe number one contenders. Cassady said that they will be the new #1 contender’s because the Vaudevillains are too soft. Xavier Woods vowed that no matter who they face, they will still be champions.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match: Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows vs. The Usos.
Anderson and Jimmy start things off. Jimmy with a clothesline then a chop. Jey was tagged in and hit a splash in the corner. Anderson cut him off with a heel kick then tagged in Gallows. Gallows went for a power slam but was kicked in the face. Jimmy was tagged in and hit a splash. Jey was tagged back in but was cut off by a clothesline for 2. Anderson was tagged in and put the boots to him. Anderson worked over the shoulders of Jey. Gallows was tagged in and ate some elbows. Jey went to the top rope and Gallows sent him to the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Jey hitting Gallows with a drop kick off the top rope. Jimmy and Anderson got the hot tag. Jimmy with a series of clotheslines to Anderson. Jimmy with a samoan drop. Anderson cut him off with a clothesline. Gallows took out Jey with a big boot at ringside. Jimmy took out Gallows with an outside dive. Anderson attacked Jimmy from behind. Gallows and Anderson hit their finisher (Magic Killer) with the win.
Winners: Anderson and Gallows.
Post-match, Roman Reigns ran down and attacked Anderson and Gallows.
-Commercial Break-
Gallows and Anderson talk to Styles backstage. They told him that they’re here for him and to make sure The Usos don’t cost Styles his shot at the WWE Title. Styles said okay. Gallows and Anderson said that they’re friendship is forever.
There was a video package to hype the Sami Zayn – Kevin Owens feud.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Rusev vs. Sami Zayn.
Rusev jumped him and put the boots to him. Zayn fought back and sent him to the floor. Zayn went for an outside dive, but Rusev caught him and sent him into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Zayn fighting back and landing a clothesline. Zayn reversed and suplex and hit a crossbody for 2. Rusev with some elbows then hit a power slam for 2. Zayn rolled him up for a quick pinfall.
Winner: Zayn.
Post-match, Kevin Owens ran out and attacked Zayn from behind.
Apollo Crews was about to do a promo, but Stardust interrupted. Crews said that he was glad to see him and brought up Dusty Rhodes. Stardust said that not enough Dusty could make Crews a star.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Apollo Crews vs. Stardust.
Crews caught him with a drop kick and then went for a suplex, but Stardust blocked it and hit a neck breaker. Crews avoided a clothesline and hit some of his own. Crews hit a standing moonsault for 2. Crews hit a powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Crews.
-Commercial Break-
Dean Ambrose walks down to the ring. He said that he was not in the mood for fun and games after being attacked by Chris Jericho last week. Ambrose praised Jericho and hyped his match with Jericho at Payback. He calls out Jericho. Jericho said that he isn’t going to fight Ambrose now, but he will prove that he is the best in the world at Payback and vowed to beat Ambrose. Jericho demanded that Ambrose apologized to him. Ambrose apologized that Jericho brought his ugly ass shoes, that he brought his scarf and that he makes him angry. Ambrose then attacked Jericho. They brawled to the floor with Jericho getting the upper hand.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Natalya vs. Emma with Charlotte and Ric Flair on commentary.
Natalya took her down with an arm drag. Emma sent her face first several times into the corner. Natalya fought back and locked in the sharpshooter for the win.
Winner: Natalya.
There was a video package to pay tribute to Chyna was shown.
-Commercial Break-
Baron Corbin was walking to the ring when he was attacked from behind by Dolph Ziggler.
-Commercial Break-
Maryse and The Miz are in the ring. Maryse introduces The Miz. This led to Miz hyping his match with Cesaro at Payback. Maryse said that the fans were hungry for his knowledge. Miz said that the Intercontinental Title is more than a title or an accomplishment, it’s legendary. Miz mocked the Cesaro section, and this led to Cesaro walking out. Miz asked if Cesaro was talking to him. Cesaro said that his impression was funny. Cesaro said that the only movie Miz belongs in is Jackass. Cesaro agreed that the IC Title is legendary. Cesaro vowed that he would win the IC Title at Payback. Miz threatened him, and Cesaro told him to make his day. Miz backed off and then tried to attack Cesaro, but Cesaro hit him with an uppercut. Cesaro went for the giant swing, but Maryse got on top of Miz and stopped him. Cesaro stood tall with the IC Title to close the segment.
-Commercial Break-
Styles walked up to Reigns backstage. They had a staredown and Styles told Reigns that he would be taking his title.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio.
They lock up, and Reigns hit him with a clothesline.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Del Rio in control of Reigns. He puts the boots to him in the corner. Reigns fought back with clotheslines and sent him to the floor. Reigns hit a drop kick on the apron. Back in the ring, Del Rio kicked him. Del Rio hit a super kick for 2. Del Rio went for his finisher in the corner, but Reigns moved. Del Rio went for the arm bar, but Reigns blocked and hit the Superman Punch. This led to Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows walking out to the stage. This distracted Reigns and Del Rio rolled him up for 2. Reigns hit a spear to Del Rio for the win.
Winner: Reigns.
Post-match, Anderson, and Gallows attacked Reigns. Styles ran down to the ring. He stopped Anderson and Gallows. They left the ring and Reigns hit a Superman Punch to Styles. Anderson and Gallows ran in, but Reigns took them out. Styles hit Reigns with a flying forearm shot. Styles stood tall in the ring to close the show.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
