WWE Monday Night RAW results from 5/1/17

Here are the results from tonight’s (Mon. May 1, 2017) episode of WWE Monday Night RAW (courtesy of PWInsider):

 


 

The show opened with an official coronation for the new Raw Women’s champion Alexa Bliss.  There was a platform set up in the center of the ring with other members of the women’s division standing in the ring, including an obvious upset Bayley.

Bliss thanked the women for coming, even though many of them were only there because she made Kurt Angle order themselves out there.  Bliss said that there was some stars who call themselves the Queen, obviously a reference to Charlotte Flair.  She said the Queen is dead and instead, long live Alexa Bliss.

She said that last night, she became the first woman to hold the Raw and the Smackdown Women’s championships but the referee just handed her the belt like it was any other title win.  So, she demanded a coronation and she’s so happy to see others here to watch it.  

Bliss said that she had some people to thank.  She told Mickie James that she grew up watching her and inspired her, saying that although her contemporaries, Mae Young and The Fabulous Moolah were in a better place, she is still here inspiring her.

Bliss then thanked Sasha, saying that Banks claimed she didn’t know who Bliss was, so she said that she was the Raw Women’s champion and the one who pinned Banks to get to where she is.

Bliss turned to Nia Jax but thought better of saying anything and told her, “We’re good.  You’re great” and reminded Nia that others are jealous of her because of how great she is.  Bliss said she was looking forward to tagging with her later.

Bliss stepped to the top of the platform and said she was on the top of the world.  She spied Bayley and said that she forgot to thank her.  Bliss said she thought only her dad was going to be there, but she saw tons of Bayley’s friends and family in the front row.  Bliss said that when she pinned Bayley to win the title, she looked in the front row and they were all upset, but Bayley’s nephews were crying and bawling their eyes out.  She said the moment almost threw her off and took away from her moment, but she thought what would Bayley do – and that’s turn that frown upside down – and reminded Bayley that now her entire family has a real role model to look up to.  Excellent mic work from Bliss.  It appeared they were setting up that she would be calling herself a “Goddess” going forward.

Bayley had enough and knocked Bliss off the perch and attacked her, sparking a huge brawl as they went to commercial.

When we returned, it was now an eight woman tag.  They stated Kurt Angle ordered the match during the commercial break.

Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss & Emma & Alicia Fox vs. Bayley & Mickie James & Sasha Banks & Dana Brooke

Emma was working over Bayley early.  Bayley came back with a pair of hiptosses and cinched in an armbar.   James tagged in and nailed a nice axehandle off the top.   Brooke tagged in, but Emma begged off and instead tagged out to Fox.

Fox and Brooke went back and forth.  Brooke nailed a handspring elbow and followed up with a cartwheel into a splash for a two count.  Banks tagged in and continued working over Fox.   James tagged back in and scored several two counts on Fox.

Banks returned to the fray and continued controlling Fox.  Fox used a straitjacket choke.  Fox was drilled with a leaping double knee strike for another two count.   Banks was dumped out of the ring.  Team Bliss went to do something nefarious on the floor but Team Bayley went to intercept them.  They had a stand-off on the floor as they went to commercial again.

When they returned, Fox was in control on Banks.   Jax tagged in and demolished Banks, covering her for a two count.   She nailed an evil looking Beel toss.   She locked in a sleeper.  Banks fought to get to her feet but was knocked back down and then brought Banks to her corner.   They worked Banks over but she eventually made the hot tag.

Bayley hit the ring and worked over Bliss, smashing her into the buckles over and over.   Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly and went to cover her but Jax interfered.  This set up a wild melee where everyone hit big moves.  Fox and Banks began brawling and scrapping.  Bliss nailed a DDT and pinned Bayley.

Your winners, Nia Jax & Alexa Bliss & Emma & Alicia Fox!

Good stuff all around here.

They announced they would have a Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman medical update.  They also announced Seth Rollins would be appearing later.

Backstage, they showed Enzo Amore and Big Cass walking through the back preparing to head to the ring.

After commercial, Enzo and Cass came to the ring.  Enzo said they came out tonight a little tired because their real lifes are better than their dreams because they spent Payback giving Gallows and Anderson the beating of their life.  Enzo said that tonight, he was going to do the same to Gallows.  Cass began to speak but they were attacked by the Club.    They went to commercial.

When they returned, Enzo Amore vs. Luke Gallows was on the air.  Gallows was working over Amore, who was still winded from the pre-match attack.   Gallows grabbed an armbar.  Enzo tried to fight him off but was drilled with a clothesline.  Gallows used a hammerlock and slammed Enzo down.  Enzo tried to fight him off in the corner but Gallows kicked him down.  Enzo tried to fight back and nailed several shots but was grabbed and slammed down with the Divorce Court.

Enzo’s arm was worked over.  He fired back with right hands but was slammed back down again.  Amore has shown some nice fire.   Gallows kept riding him on the mat, working over Amore’s arm.   Amore kicked off a charge and dove off the buckles with a DDT.  Cass tried to rally Amore on the floor.  Amore drilled Gallows with several kicks and nailed a punt kick.  Gallows caught Amore with an uppercut after Amore spent preening.  Amore still surprised him with a small package for a two count.

Amore went to the top but Anderson distracted him, allowing Gallows to catch him with a big right hand.  Gallows nailed a F5 into a flapjack and scored the pin.

Your winner, Luke Gallows!

Solid match.  Enzo looked fine as the David while Gallows played a fine Goliath.

In his locker room, Cruiserweight champ Neville was preparing when TJ Perkins showed up.  He said that people think that Neville was preparing to tap out last night.  Neville said he respects Perkins but he’s not going to let anyone slander him.  He said that what happened wasn’t intention and was the fault of a referee being out of position and causing him to lose his chance to beat Aries.   Neville then asked Perkins how he was going to get his own opportunity if Aries keeps claiming the title shots.  Perkins said that was a good question.  Neville said that he can help but Perkins needs to carry his own weight.  He said that when Perkins battles Aries later, he should do everything he can.

Seth Rollins came to the ring following his victory over Samoa Joe at Payback.   Rollins said that other than being sore from fighting Samoa Joe, he’s feeling pretty good.  He said the last few months, he’s had the highest of highs and lowest of lows and everyone was there with him.  He said that sometimes, he was so low, he just wanted to give up but that’s part of life.  He said you have to overcome and look in the mirror and if you don’t like what you see, you have to overcome.  He said that he looked in the mirror and realized he’s still Seth Freaking Rollins.

Rollins said that at Wrestlemania he “slayed the King of Kings” and then last night, he got payback on Samoa Joe.  There’s only one thing left for him to do and that’s Brock Lesnar.  He said that he wants the Beast.   The crowd loved that and began chanting “Yes!”  Rollins said he wanted the Universal championship.  He said that he’s been to Suplex City and he’s not afraid to go back.

Finn Balor’s music hit and out came the former Universal champion.   Balor said that they have been on the same page and he respects him.  He called Seth the “one-legged man who won at Wrestlemania.”  Balor said he’s the one-armed man who won the very first Universal championship.  He reminded Seth of that moment, saying his arm was hanging from his body but still beat Seth at Summerslam.  Balor said that he never actually lost the title, so the line starts with him.

WWE Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose hit the ring and said, “Brock Brock Brock Brock….you all sound like a couple of chickens.”  Ambrose said Brock fights when he wants and it’s not all that often.  Ambrose said that Raw should be about fighting champions and he’s the holder of the number one title on Monday Night Raw.  He said that he was ready to fight and gets into fights he doesn’t even know he’s in.  He wants to fight.

Out came Marsye and The Miz.  Miz said that Balor and Rollins haven’t earned anything while Ambrose is an embarassment as champion.  Miz said that the title is really him, because he made the Intercontinental championship special.  Balor said he was also the latest member of the “Finn Balor just kicked my a** Club.”  Miz said he cheapshotted him and that proves he’s a coward.  Miz said Dean was so unimportant he didn’t even defend the belt at Payback.  He called Rollins a one legged man.  Rollins said that with one leg, he can run circles around Miz in the ring.  Miz said it’s not a running contest, it’s a fight and he beats people up.  Miz went on and on until all three told him to shut up.

Dean said that he will defend the IC title anytime and he knows everyone wants to see The Miz get beat up.  He asked if the fans wanted to see Balor or Rollins beat up the Miz.  The crowd loved both ideas.  Dean called Kurt Angle from in the ring.  He spoke with Angle and then announced Miz vs. Balor vs. Rollins to determine the top contender for the Intercontinental championship.  

The match was originally planned to determine the top contender for the Universal championship but obviously, rewrites.

The announcers reviewed some of the insanity Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns went through.

Tony Nese & Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar vs. Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher

Gallagher brought umbrellas for Swann and Tozawa.   Tozawa and Kendrick began slugging it out in the middle of the ring.   Tozawa rolled through a sunset flip attack and kicked Kendrick in the face.   Nese tagged in and nailed an elbow.  He whipped Tozawa into the corner and nailed a big hiptoss.  Nese grandstanded.

Nese locked Tozawa in a Torture Rack.     Tozawa slipped out and made the tag to Swann.  Dar tagged in and charged but was nailed by a series of Swann strikes.   Gallagher tagged in and he and Tozawa helped clear the ring, backdropping Nese over the top onto his partners on the floor as Raw went to commercial.

When they returned from commercial, they showed highlights of Dar working over Tozawa.   Team Nese tagged in and out, taking turns as they worked over Tozawa.   Nese held Tozawa up for a delayed vertical suplex for a long time, even with one arm, then slammed him down into the ropes.    The beating of Tozawa continued.  Nese worked him over with a Human Torture Rack.  He dropped Tozawa and taunted his partners but was caught with a side suplex.  Tozawa finally made the hot tag.

Swann tagged in and nailed a lot of hot moves.  This led to everyone hitting the ring.  Gallagher nailed a headbutt on Nese that sent him out of the ring.  Kendrick grabbed him in the Captain’s Hook.  Tozawa nailed him with a shining wizard.  Swann and Tozawa nailed stereo dives to the outside (in theory) and Gallagher drilled Kendrick, scoring the pin.

Your winners, Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher!

Fun six man tag.

The announcers reviewed the events of the Hardys vs. Cesaro and Sheamus last night.  They showed Cesaro and Sheamus getting ready to come to the ring.

After commercial, Sheamus and Cesaro cut a promo.  Sheamus said the last few months, he felt like he was walking around in a fog but now he is free.  He said that he didn’t like any of the fans.  He said the fans treated him like a red headed stepchild from day one.  He said that Cesaro was a different story.  Cesaro had the Cesaro Section and believed that with the fan support, they could be the best tag team.  Sheamus wanted to believe them but at Wrestlemania, they were ready to have their moment, but the Hardy Boyz showed up and stole the moment.

Cesaro said the people felt the rush of nostalgia and loved it.  He said the fans would rather look to the past or the future as opposed to appreciate what is standing in front of them at this moment.  I think he just described social media.   Cesaro said they proved last night the Hardys were just a nostalgia act that don’t belong in the ring with them.  Sheamus said “That’s the tooth of it.”  He said they proved they were going to get their Raw Tag Team championships.  

As they went to leave, The Hardys came out.   Matt thanked them for the explanation.  He said it was illuminating they believed those asinine absurdities.  He admitted they were hurting from the ambush last night and owed it to them to give them a response.  He said their response was…..The crowd began chanting “Delete!”  The Hardys each did the “Delete” mannerism and charged the ring.  Cesaro and Sheamus went to the floor.

Backstage, Miz was interviewed by Charly Caruso.  She asked him about his match tonight.  He was going on and on when Dean took the mic and asked a follow up about his hair gel.  Miz looked incredulously at him and walked off.  Dean said he was sending it back to “Gene and Bobby.”

Heath Slater and Rhyno came to the ring.  They went to clips of a scene that aired on Youtube earlier today with Slater giving Apollo Crews giving fatherly advice.  Titus O’Neil was upset, telling him that Apollo was talking to the enemy and if he needs advice, to come to him.

Apollo Crews vs. Heath Slater

Slater controlled Crews early on.   Crews slapped on a headlock but Slater slipped out and used a top wristlock to take Crews down.  They faced off.  Crews shoulderblocked Slater down but was caught with a big armdrag.  Crews armdragged him asnd dropkicked Slater into the corner.  Crews missed a charge into the corner and was rolled up for a two count.  Crews landed on the floor.  Slater tossed him back in for a two count.

They battled back and forth until Crews nailed a nice leaping clothesline.  Slater ducked a clothesline but was nailed with an enziguiri.  Titus began screaming at Crews to finish him.  Crews nailed the sitout powerbomb for the pin.

Your winner, Apollo Crews!

Raw GM Kurt Angle came out and said last night’s match with Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman was one of the roughest he’s ever seen.  Strowman suffered a torn rotator cuff while Roman re-injured his ribs and has internal injuries again.  He said they each made it clear they are not done with each other yet.  Kurt said that he has to take the safety of the athletes, WWE and the WWE Universe into consideration and has to decide has to deal with the feud.  He said they would have answers at a later date….

….and Bray Wyatt appeared.   Bray came to the ring and said he understands Kurt’s apprehension but means him no harm.  He said he isn’t here for destruction, not yet.  He said that he came here because last night, he closed the chapter on Randy Orton, who will be forever be trapped in his House of Horrors.  He said that with Orton’s ashes, he has begun to write a new chapter here on Raw.  He said that he is reborn and rising from the hell of his own creation like an angel with burnt wings.  He said that he can fix all of you.  He said there is an evil around all of them but he can fix it.  He told Angle that he needs Bray.  He asked Kurt to allow him to do his work.  Angle looked befuddled and told Bray to remember that this is his show.  Bray said that this may his show, but this is Bray’s world.  They cut directly to commercial.

They did a comedy bit where Dean Ambrose interviewed Seth Rollins.  He was asking Seth if he thought he could beat Dean if he won tonight.  He then talked about, in the third person, what Dean thought and then sent it back to “Gorilla.”

Austin Aries vs. TJ Perkins.

They battled back and forth.  Perkins locked him in a butterfly lock.  Perkins came off the ropes and drilled Aries.   Perkins worked over Aries with kicks in the corner.  Aries battled back but missed Perkins, hitting the post.  Perkins, on the top rope, grabbed Aries and locked on a half crab.

Aries made a comeback and drilled Perkins to the floor, then hit the suicide dive to the floor.   They showed Neville watching on a monitor in the back.   Aries fired away with chops and nailed the Gutbuster, the STO and the Pendulum Elbow for a two count.   Aries went to the ropes and came off with an elbow to the back of the neck for another two count.

Perkins missed a big kick and was nailed with a shinbreaker.   Aries went for the discus Fivearm but was drilled in his knee.  Aries was able to counter a move into the Last Chancery and get the submission.

Your winner, Austin Aries!

Good match.

After the match, Perkins attacked Aries and locked in a kneebar.

They showed Finn Balor walking in the back when Dean showed up and did the interviewer deal.  He asked Balor if he was nervous.  Finn said he eats nerves.   He told Balor to eat a carb and gave him a donut.  Balor bit into it and walked off.

Backstage, R-Truth and Goldust asked Kurt Angle for a shot at the Tag Team champions.  He told them their won/loss record wasn’t great and told them no.  They told him that he and the Hardys inspired them and lit a fire under them and they need to prove to themselves that they still have it.  They need this.    He announced a Tag Team Turmoil match for next week and the winners would be the top contenders for the Raw Tag Team championship.  They thanked him for the opportunity.

Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins vs. The Miz to name top contender for the WWE Intercontinental championship

When the match began, Miz dropped to the floor to let Rollins and Balor battle.   They went back and forth until Miz tried to sneak in on them.  They caught him and faced off with him.  He slid back outside.  Miz tried to find an opportunity to interfere againbut was caught a second time.  

They finally had enough and went to the floor to confront Miz, who jumped in and out of the ring before being caught between them in the center of the ring.   He tried to get each of them to side with him against the other, but no dice.  They took turns wiping him out with offensive maneuvers and tossed him to the floor.

Rollins rolled up Balor for a two count.  Balor sent Rollins into the ropes, knocking Balor over the top to the floor.  Rollins nailed a sunset flip but Balor rolled through and nailed a kick to the face.   Balor avoided a charge in the corner and nailed several shots on Rollins, but was knocked off the apron by Miz.  Rollins dropkicked Miz off the apron to the floor.  He set up for a dive but Maryse stepped into the way. Rollins finally nailed a dive to the outside.  Miz knocked him out of the ring to the floor as they went to commercial.

When they returned, Miz was orking over Balor with a sleeper as Rollins was out in the floor.  Miz worked over Balor, who made a comeback just in time for Rollins to nail a springboard bodypress.   Balor made a comeback and worked over both with chops.   Miz was kicked out of the ring by Balor, who then hit the 1916 to the floor.  Balor almost had Rollins beaten but Miz hit the ring and broke it up.

They all battled back and forth.  Miz posted Balor, crotching him.  Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale but Rollins slipped out and rolled through.  Miz attacked his knee and covered him for a two count, then tried to set up for the figure four leglock.  Miz snapped his knee and locked it in.  Balor charged and drilled Miz with a kick.  All three were down  as the crowd chanted the bout was awesome.

The battle continued with Rollins nailed a top rope frog splash for a two count.  Great stuff.  Miz was caught with a Falcon Arrow by Rollins for a two count.  Rollins nailed an awesome dive on Balor and then followed up with another on Miz.  Samoa Joe arrived out of nowhere to hit a Uranage on Rollins on the floor.  Miz was shocked at that and watched Joe leave, only to turn into a Slingblade and be dropkicked into the corner.

Finn went to come off the top rope but the Bray music played and he appeared, shoving Balor off the top.  He nailed Sister Abigail on Balor and disappeared again.   Miz crawled to Balor and scored the pin.

Your winner, The Miz!

A HELL of a main event, with great action and some angles to set up the post-Payback programs of Balor vs. Bray, Miz vs. Dean and Joe vs. Rollins.  A hell of an entertaining main event!  Well worth watching.

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