Seth Rollins sold out and joined Evolution. Talk about unexpected. Is it the right move? Who knows, especially after The Shield took down Evolution at Payback. Regardless, this conclusion to this week’s RAW was a shocking one. When was the last time you could say that?
Overall, it was a RAW filled with good news and bad news following Payback, the developments following the pay per view made this week’s show one of the better ones in months.
The action and drama began early when Batista quit both Evolution and the company and continued later on when WWE Principle Owner Stephanie McMahon said that the Money in the Bank ladder match could determine a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion if Daniel Bryan cannot compete.
Add in the drama between Sheamus and Antonio Cesaro, as well as the tag team war between the Usos and Luke Harper and Erick Rowan and for the first time in a month, RAW managed to get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Matches:
United States Champion Sheamus and Rob Van Dam vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and Antonio Cesaro w/Paul Heyman: A physical encounter that saw the opponents from Payback square off against each other for the most part. Although Sheamus hit a ton of strikes on Cesaro, Barrett nailed RVD with a Bullhammer Elbow that sent him out of the ring. Cesaro continued the onslaught on RVD, but neither could put the former ECW star away. After a step-through Spinning Wheel Kick, RVD tagged in Sheamus, who beat on Barrett and Cesaro, nailing a Tilt-a-Whirl Sideslam on each of them. But Sheamus was unable to hit the Brogue Kick on Cesaro, which allowed Barrett to hit the Winds of Change. Unable to get the pin, Barrett was shocked to see Heyman walk Cesaro out of the match. Within seconds, Barrett was nailed with the Brogue Kick and a Five-Star Frog Splash in the loss.
Kofi Kingston vs. Bo Dallas: After some back and forth that included plenty of strikes from Kingston and a Missile Dropkick, Dallas took control and won with the Running Bo-Dog.
John Cena vs. Kane: The match didn’t last long as Kane was DQed for striking Cena after the referee told him to stop. After the bell, Kane went for the Tombstone on the ring steps, but Cena escaped and then threw the steps in Kane’s face.
Los Matadores w/ El Torito vs. Drew MacIntyre and Heath Slater w/Jinder Mahal and Hornswoggle: After Hornsoggle got his afro wig stolen, a preoccupied Slater got Rolled Up for the loss.
Nikki Bella vs. Aksana and Alicia Fox: Bella started off strong, but she had no chance after a Fox Scissor Kick. After the bell, Akasana and Fox beat on Bella further.
Adam Rose vs. Jack Swagger w/Zeb Colter: Swagger dominated early with strikes and a variety of suplexes, including a nice Urinage variation, but Rose won out of nowhere with the Party Foul.
WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan: The Family dominated until the Usos went on a stereotypical face hot tag allowed Jey to hit some signature offense on Harper. Always moving forward, Harper fought back with Big Boot, but Jey countered with a Samoan Drop before he took out Rowan on the outside with a Top Rope Splash. With Jey on the outside, Harper hit the Suicide Dive on Jey, before Jimmy went airborne as well. Back in the ring, Jey went for the Splash, but Harper countered with his knees to keep things even. After a few more near-falls, Rowan tagged himself in and won with a unique sit-out Urinage for the win.
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio: The WWE Universe has seen this match before, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a decent one. Energetic as always, Ziggler got the fans into the match withe his signature offense. After nearly winning with the Fame-Asser, Ziggler was almost pinned by Del Rio following a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker. Del Rio then went to the top and Ziggler earned the near-fall following a Top Rope Face Jam. Although he missed The Super Kick, Del Rio countered the DDT and wrapped up Ziggler in his Arm-Bar for the submission win.
Sin Cara and Goldust vs. Ryback and Curtis Axel: Goldust’s new tag team partner couldn’t get it done either. After he missed the Senton Bomb, Cara was the victim of Axel’s signature Neckbreaker for the Rybaxel win.
Randy Orton w/Triple H vs. Roman Reigns w/Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose: A no-contest after Rollins turned on Ambrose and Reigns and joined Evolution.
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