Show: RAW
Location: Los Angeles, CA at the Staples Center
Date: April 11th, 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 Shane McMahon in control of RAW. Also, Charlotte will defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Natalya on RAW.
There is a recap video of last week’s episode of RAW. The panel talked about the return of Maryse and her alliance with her husband, The Miz.
Welcome to WWE Monday Night RAW. There was an RIP logo for the late Blackjack Mulligan. Shane McMahon walks out to the ring. McMahon said that the reason he is in charge of RAW tonight was due to the fans. McMahon announced Natalya vs. Charlotte for the WWE Women’s Title. Also, there will be a tag team tournament to crown a #1 contender for the tag team titles will begin tonight. McMahon congratulated AJ Styles for becoming the #1 contender for the WWE Title. McMahon also said that Sami Zayn would compete against AJ Styles tonight, and if Zayn wins then, Zayn vs. Styles vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Title would be booked for Payback. Kevin Owens walked out to the ring. Owens said that Zayn doesn’t deserve a title shot. Owens believes that he is being screwed over, and he should be fighting for the title. McMahon said that it was Owens who screwed over Zayn. McMahon pointed out that Owens lost last week and at WrestleMania. Owens said that he was robbed at WrestleMania and was robbed at RAW because he didn’t get pinned. Owens said that he still has not received his rematch for his IC Title. Owens demanded an IC Title Match. McMahon said that Owens can earn a rematch but he has to beat one guy tonight, and that man is Cesaro. If Owens beats Cesaro, then he gets his title match at Payback.
-Commercial Break-
#1 Contender’s Match: Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
Cesaro took him down, and Owens rolled out of the ring. Back in the ring, Owens hit a series of chops until Cesaro hit an uppercut. Owens cut him off with a face plant and worked over the left shoulder. Owens sent him into the ring post. Cesaro hit an uppercut and another one. Cesaro followed it up with a dropkick for 2. Cesaro went for the giant swing, but Owens kicked him off. Owens sent him into the corner and then the ring post shoulder first.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Cesaro hitting a big boot and then hitting a crossbody. Owens rolled through and locked in the cross face submission. Cesaro rolled through and locked in the sharpshooter but Owens got to the bottom rope. Owens with a superkick and went to the top rope. Owens hit a frog splash for a near fall. Cesaro fought back and hit a springboard uppercut. Cesaro hit the giant swing. Owens sent Cesaro into the corner and went for the powerbomb and Cesaro reversed it and hit the Neutralizer for the win.
Winner and new #1 contender for the IC Title: Cesaro.
Charlotte is complaining to Ric Flair about defending the Women’s Title against Natalya tonight on RAW. Dr. Phil walked up and said that Charlotte is very hard working. Phil said that he is proud of her. Phil said that Flair is holding her back by helping her winning matches. Charlotte threatened to chop Phil. Phil told her that she is better than Flair helping her win matches.
Owens threatened to hurt Sami Zayn tonight. Shane threw him out of the building.
-Commercial Break-
The New Day walked to the ring. Xavier Woods said that the tag team division is on fire right now. Big E hyped the tag team tournament.
Tag Team Tournament Match: Lucha Dragons vs. The Dudley Boyz.
We’re back with Kalisto being checked on by the doctors at ringside and The Dudleys working over Sin Cara. Cara fought back and started to hit a series of springboard dives. Cara hit a springboard moonsault to Devon. Bubba was tagged in and they hit the 3-D for the win.
Winners: Dudley Boyz.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass walked to the ring. Enzo did his usual promo. Buba told them to shut up. Bubba called them punks and asked them if they knew who they were. Bubba said that they paved the way for them. Devon told them that they’re not the best tag team in the world and the only reason they existed is because of them. Enzo said that he exist is because his parents got it on. Big Cass told them to step aside and told them that they were SAWFT.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Owens being walked out of the building by security.
-Commercial Break-
Roman Reigns walks down to the ring. Reigns said that he’s not a good or bad guy, but rather just the guy. Reigns said he has a lot of respect for Zayn and Styles but he is the champ so they…. The League of Nations walked out. Sheamus said that they eliminated King Barrett last week because he was a weak link. Sheamus said that they’re upset that they did not get a chance at the WWE Title. Rusev told Reigns that he is better than he is. Rusev believes he should be the face of WWE. Reigns told Rusev that he is the ass of the WWE. Alberto Del Rio said that they could beat Reigns for the WWE Title. Reigns told them to walk down and get their asses whopped. A brawl breaks out and The Wyatt Family appears. Another brawl breaks out. LON bailed and it was left to The Wyatts and Reigns. Shane walked out and told Reigns and Wyatt that they would be teaming up tonight.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Title Match: Charlotte © vs. Natalya.
Natalya took her down, and Charlotte rolled to the floor to regroup. Charlotte went for a kick, and Natalya blocked it and sent her face first into the mat. Charlotte with a chop and a neck breaker. Charlotte with a series of knee drops.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Charlotte having Natalya in the Figure Four. Charlotte changed it to the sharpshooter. Natalya fought out and landed a series of right hands. Natalya with a german suplex. Natalya went for the sharpshooter and Charlotte rolled her up for 2. Charlotte with a big boot for 2. Charlotte missed a moonsault and locked in the sharpshooter. Ric Flair pulled the referee out of the ring causing the DQ.
Winner via DQ: Natalya.
Dr. Phil said after the match that he was hoping Charlotte wouldn’t cheat to win. Phil said that he is proud that the women are stepping up in WWE.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Tournament Match: The Usos vs. Curtis Axel and Heath Slater
Axel knocked down Jey and locked in a headlock. The Social Outcasts beat down Jey until Jimmy got the hot tag and rolled up Slater for the win.
Winners: The Usos.
Post-match, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows jumped The Usos.
-Commercial Break-
JoJo tried to interview The Miz backstage. Maryse told her to get lost because he is taken. Cesaro walked up and told Miz that he would give him several uppercuts at Payback.
Singles Match: AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn
A slow start to this one. Styles locked in a chin lock but Zayn fought out. Styles caught Zayn with a knee strike to the face. Zayn fought back and hit an outside dive.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Styles having Zayn in a headlock. Styles let go and hit a forearm shot. Styles followed it up with a neck breaker for 2. Zayn fought back and hit a crossbody for 2. Zayn with a chop then a springboard DDT for 2. Zayn hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Styles fought back and locked in the Calf Crusher. Zayn got out of it, and Styles hit the Springboard Forearm for the win.
Winner: Styles.
-Commercial Break-
Styles is shown backstage giving Zayn praise for his effort.
Chris Jericho walked to the ring. He said that tonight’s Highlight Reel is the biggest yet as he has a big guest and that guest is him. Jericho said that the fans would learn more about him. Jericho said he owed his success to himself. Jericho praised himself for beating Styles at WrestleMania 32 and that no one on the roster can touch him right now. Dean Ambrose walked to the ring with a plant. Ambrose handed Jericho a memo from Shane McMahon that had a whole in it. It said that the Highlight Reel has been cancelled and that Ambrose would be taking over for him. Ambrose told him that he was nervous to be host a show called the Ambrose Asylum. Jericho said that he has reached legendary status in WWE and did what he wants to do. Jericho threatened to bury him and to get out of his ring. Ambrose asked about his scarf and Jericho slapped his microphone out of his hand. Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds and stood over him to end the segment.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Apollo Crews vs. Adam Rose.
Crews clothesline him out of the ring begin the match. Ross fought back with some kicks. Crews cut him off with a suplex and some clotheslines. Crews hit a head kick and then his spin out powerbomb finisher.
Winner: Crews.
-Commercial Break-
Bray Wyatt cuts a backstage promo about how Roman Reigns can trust him.
Tag Team Match: Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio.
Wyatt knocked Sheamus down and then walked upside down. Wyatt lands a series of right hands then tags in Reigns, who continues to the attack. Wyatt was tagged in and landed a clothesline. Sheamus had Wyatt in a headlock but Wyatt fought out, and Reigns hit a series of clotheslines to Sheamus. Reigns knocked Del Rio off the apron, and Sheamus rolled to the floor. Sheamus sent Reigns face first into the ring post. Back in the ring, Sheamus hit Reigns with a series of right hands. Moments later, Reigns fought back with a samoan drop. Wyatt was tagged in and hit Del Rio with a chokeslam then hit a back splash. Wyatt went for Sister Abigail, but it was blocked. Wyatt with a back elbow for 2 as Sheamus broke it up. Reigns took out Sheamus. Sheamus sent Reigns into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Del Rio hit the back stagger for a near fall. Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan ran out and attacked Rusev. Back in the ring, Wyatt hit Sister Abigail to Del Rio for the win.
Winners: Reigns and Wyatt.
Post-match, Reigns and Wyatt had a staredown to close the show.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
