WWE Raw Coverage: Reigns Earns a Stripe

It’s rare that Roman Reigns gets double or even triple duty, but the former Shield member made good use of the time, having three decent matches in what turned out to be a solid if markedly uneventful RAW away from the return of The Big Show.

However that’s not to say there wasn’t any building going on. With the Money in the Bank main event set in stone, a Ladder Match between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, as well as A nice chunk of the competitors in the traditional MITB ladder match, creative at least had the opportunity to go home with a bang next week before the event.

Matches:

Roman Reigns vs. Wade Barrett: The stipulation was if Reigns lost, he’d lose his spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Although it dragged a big, there was some good back and forth. Barrett stayed in the match with the Winds of Change and big kicks and thanks to an Eye Rake, he nearly won, but a Spear out of nowhere gave Reigns the win.

Intercontinental Champion Ryback vs. The Miz: The Big Show hit the ring right after the bell and knocked out The Miz and called out Ryback.

Dolph Ziggler w/Lana vs. Kofi Kingston w/Xavier Woods and Big E. Langston: A quick match that saw Ziggler win in spite of interference from The New Day thanks to a successful counter and pinning combination. After the match, The New Day beat on Ziggler until the Prime Time Players made the save.

Dolph Ziggler, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil vs. Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E. Langston: Young and O’Neil were solid as O’Neil put Woods away with the Pump Handle Slam.

Roman Reigns vs. Mark Henry: Just like his his earlier match, the stipulation was if Reigns lost, he’d lose his spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Although Henry was aggressive, Reigns hit a Superman Punch on the outside to get the win via count-out. After the match however, Henry got the last laugh with the Splash and World’s Strongest Slam.

Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Paige: A good match that saw the return of Twin Magic as just when Paige looked to have the match in hand following a second rope Ram-Page, Nikki and Brie switched places, allowing Brie to get the win with the Rollup.

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus: This was a war that ended after after Sheamus was DQed after using a chair on the outside. Add in two Brogue Kicks and Sheamus made a statement and a half.

Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville: The aggressive Dallas was in. Intros after a Clothesline on the outside and a Front Chancery until Neville got in a few kicks and got the win with The Red Arrow.

Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt: The New Face of Fear was in control as Reigns’ MITB shot was at stake once again. With Seth Rollins, Kane and J & J Security on the ramp, Reigns had the deck firmly stacked against him. But after every near-fall, Wyatt got more frustrated and Reigns capitalized. After Reigns hit The Superman Punch, The Authority hit the ring, but Reign countered the Sister Abigail to hit The Spear and get the win. Exhausted, Reigns was nearly picked apart until Ambrose made the save and hit the Dirty Deeds on Rollins to end the show.