Date: 07/25	7:00 PM
Views: 609

Tonight's Raw is the first following Battleground, and thus the first show to be booked completely under the Raw brand. Raw kicks off its independence without the WWE Championship as Dean Ambrose retained last night, but it does still have the tag team, US, and Women's Championships. And Bayley! Did I mention Bayley?

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Raw opens with a replay of the final moments of Battleground last night, then debuts a new logo, theme song, and intro. They then reveal a new set, with the announce table by the ramp like the original brand split, and introduce Corey Graves.

Foley and Stephanie are in the ring.

Mick: "Welcome to Monday Night Raw, ladies and gentlemen. Because this is a new episode, I believe that the new era begins tonight, right here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And the first thing I would like to do is introduce you to the entire roster of Monday Night Raw."

The roster come out on the entrance ramp. It looks like Braun Strowman shaved his head.

Mick: "As General Manager of Monday Night Raw, I'll be working hand in hand with each Superstar on that stage to bring you the most thrilling, most compelling episode of Monday Night Raw, each and every week."

Stephanie: "And I assure you that Mick Foley will have absolute authority to do so. But I want to talk about what happened last night, when Roman Reigns ruined it for all of us. The WWE Championship is now on Smackdown Live, my brother's show. Seth Rollins, our #1 pick, had it in the bag, but then Roman had to ruin it for everyone. As far as I'm concerned, you're not a bad guy, you're not a good guy, you're just a loser. In 1209 episodes, Raw has always had a heavyweight championship, there's always been a WWE Heavyweight Championship, the fans demand it, and by god, that's what they're going to get."

Mick: "After much deliberation, Stephanie and I have decided that this is how it's going to happen: Tonight, there will be two Fatal Four Way matches, the winners will face off in tonight's main event."

Stephanie: "And the winner will face our #1 draft pick, Seth Rollins, at Summerslam for the new championship."

Mick: "And because this championship is named after all of you, we've decided that this championship will be called the WWE Universal Heavyweight Championship. When I announce your name, the competitors, come forward. Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, The United States Champion Rusev, and the eighth pick goes to our #1 draft pick from NXT, Finn Balor!"

Finn steps forward and is visible for the first time.

Stephanie: "And of equal importance, the Women's Championship is still on Raw. But the champion, Charlotte, did lose her match when she tapped out to Sasha Banks."

Mick: "That's why she will defend that championship tonight, and her opponent will be The Boss, Sasha Banks."

Stephanie: "As for the eight men on the stage, get ready, because the first match starts next."

Match One: Universal Heavyweight Championship Tournament Round One: Cesaro vs. Rusev vs. Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor

Finn Balor's entance looks like money. He and Owens stare each other down before the bell, then they tee off as Rusev and Cesaro start off. Cesaro hits Rusev with a running dropkick in the corner, Owens puts Balor on a chinlock, Rusev beats down Cesaro on the floor, Owens with a whip to Balor, who responds with a running dropkick, they roll to the floor, Cesaro whips Rusev into the barricade, cannonball, commercial.

Back on the air, Rusev stomps Balor, stares down Owens as they argue over who gets to beat Balor, Owens stomps and chokes Balor in the corner while Rusev punches Cesaro on the apron, Balor with punches to Owens, Rusev European uppercuts Cesaro, Owens floors Balor with a strike the nature of which isn't quite on screen, Rusev suplexes Balor, Owens suplexes Balor, Rusev German suplexes Balor, Owens goes for a German on Balor, Balor with elbows, Owens with a clothesline to the back for two as Cesaro shoulder tackles Rusev on the apron, punches, Owens with a punch to Cesaro, Rusev tosses Balor to the floor, punch to Cesaro, he and Owens hit a double team suplex back into the ring, Rusev covers him for two as Owens complains, "I'm right here" and pulls him off. Owens stresses the need to stay on Balor, hits a running somersault splash, Rusev responds in kind, Owens checks on Cesaro on the floor, Balor tees off on both men with forearms, goes for a crucifix on Owens, reversed into a Celtic Cross style slam for two as Rusev breaks the count, Rusev misses a top rope splash to Owens, starts punching anyway, Owens responds in kind, Cesaro with a top rope crossbody to both men, Uppercut Train, Balor gets up, rests in the corner, that just makes him a stop on the train, Cesaro Swing to Owens broken up as Rusev clubs Cesaro in the back, whip, Cesaro with a boot, tosses Rusev to the floor, Rusev holds on to ensure that Cesaro follows him, Owens goes for a powerbomb to Balor, Balor reverses into a back body drop, rolls through into a dropkick, Owens bails, Balor hits a suicide dive to each of his opponents, Cesaro rolls back in the ring, Balor up top, Rusev pulls him down, Balor kicks him hard for good measure, Cesaro with a punch, Balor responds with a series of kicks, 1916 for two, commercial.

Back on air, Owens is punching Cesaro in the corner, sets him up top, superplex, blocked, Balor joins him, Rusev turns it into a powerbomb to complete the Tower of Doom, charges Owens in the corner, Owens gets a boot up, Cesaro hits Owens with a European Uppercut, Rusev hits Cesaro, Balor goes for 1916 to Rusev, Owens reverses into an inverted TKO, boots Cesaro, frog splash to Balor for two as Rusev breaks the count, Owens beats him to the floor, Pop-Up Powerbomb to Balor for two as Cesaro breaks the count, rolls Balor to the floor, Neutralizer to Owens reversed into a back body drop, Cesaro lands on his feet, springboard spinning European uppercut, Cesaro Swing blocked by a Rusev superkick, Rusev with a roundhouse kick to Owens' head, stomp to the back, locks in the Accolade, Cesaro breaks the hold with a suplex to Rusev for two, counters Rusev's kickout into a Cesaro Swing, transitioned into the Accolade, reversed into a rollup for two, Rusev with a roundhouse kick to the head, Cesaro waffles the ropes, clothesline, trading punches, Cesaro drops Rusev into the Cesaro Swing, Sharpshooter, Owens breaks the hold with a superkick, cannonball to Rusev in the corner, Balor dropkicks Owens into Rusev, Slingblade to Owens, dropkicks Rusev into the corner, goes up top, Coup de Grace for three!

Winner: Finn Balor

Out. Fucking. Standing.

You know, I've always said Finn Balor would be a good candidate to be the first man to win the World Championship in his first match (in WWE at least). If he goes all the way, it could count.

They show an ad for the Cruiserweight division by highlighting the Cruiserweight Classic. Speaking of outstanding, basically every single match.

Match Two: Nia Jax vs. Brit Baker

Nia tosses her opponent down, tosses her to the corner, avalanche, whip, Baker ducks, Nia catches her, toss to the corner, tree of woe, stomp, avalanche, leg drop for two, Nia pulls her up herself, headbutt, leg drop for three.

Winner: Nia Jax

I am in love with this woman.

Backstage, Golden Truth walk up to Sasha Banks with their phones out. Turns out they're just playing Pokemon Go. Tom Phillips asks Sasha if she's feeling pressure. Sasha says she thrives on pressure, Charlotte's been ducking her, tonight she makes her 10-year-old self's dreams come true.

Match Three: WWE Universal Heavyweight Championship Tournament: Chris Jericho vs. Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus vs. Sami Zayn

The first match there were no bad options but they went with the best one. This match, there is really only one good option. Come on Sami.

They all stare each other down, Jericho goes after Reigns, Sheamus follows suit, Zayn watches on, then finally decides to join in on beating down Roman, they toss him to the floor, Sheamus and Jericho follow, Sheamus tosses Roman into the barricade a few times, Jericho high fives him, they corner Sami, who goes to work on Jericho, Sheamus with punches to the kidney of Sami Zayn, clothesline, Jericho with a clothesline, Zayn with chops to Sheamus, Jericho and Sheamus respond with punches, clotheslines, Sheamus with European uppercuts in the corner, Sami starts to fight out, Sheamus with a clothesline, whip, Zayn with a boot, punches, whip to the corner, Sheamus with a boot, double team toss to the apron, Zayn holds on, shoulder tackle to Sheamus, ducks a Jericho clothesline, hurricanrana to Sheamus, tosses Jericho to the floor, hitting Sheamus on the aprong on the way down, suicide dive, both opponents dodge, Zayn stops short, Reigns with a back suplex to Zayn for two, punches Jericho and then Sheamus as they attempt to get back in the ring, suplex to Zayn for two, shoulder tackle in the corner, punches, toss to the adjacent corner, punch, Zayn rebounds with punches, Roman with a knee, punch to the back of the head across the ropes, whip, Zayn leapfrogs, tosses Roman to the floor, suicide dive blocked by Sheamus with a punch, Ten Beats of the Bowery, Jericho with a springboard dropkick to Sheamus, Reigns clotheslines Zayn and Jericho to the floor, suicide dive (!!), commercial.

Back on air, Sheamus is dragging Roman up, he and Jericho hit a double team suplex, Jericho with stomps, boots in the corner, double team whip, Sheamus whips Jericho into Roman, then follows up with an avalanche, Jericho tees off on Sheamus, boots to the gut, chops in the corner, whip, reversed, Sheamus with a shoulder tackle, running knee lift, Zayn with a crossbody to Jericho for two, clothesline to Sheamus, Sheamus responds in kind, Roman with a pair of clotheslines to Sheamus, whip, reversed, Roman hits a leaping clothesline, Samoan Drop to Jericho, Drive-By to both Sheamus and Jericho, rolls Sheamus into the ring, clotheslines in the corner, Jericho with an avalanche to Sheamus as he was aiming for Roman, Roman with clotheslines to both men, goes for a clothesline to Zayn, Zayn hits Roman with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two, waits for Roman to drag himself up in the corner, Helluva Kick blocked by a boot, Roman with a Razor's Edge powerbomb for two, Superman Punch blocked by a Brogue Kick, Helluva Kick to Sheamus for two as Jericho breaks the count, covers Sheamus for two as Zayn breaks the count, Zayn and Jericho trade punches, Zayn goes for a springboard arm drag, reversed into Walls of Jericho, Sheamus breaks the hold with a Brogue Kick, covers Jericho for two as Zayn breaks the count, Sheamus with punches to Zayn, Irish Curse, White Noise broken by a Superman Punch, one for Jericho, Sami ducks one as Roman hits Jericho, Zayn rolls up Roman for two, Superman Punch to Zayn, Jericho goes for a Codebreaker to Roman, blocked, Reigns misses a Superman Punch, then hits one, Spear blocked with a boot, Codebreaker for two, Jericho goes for a spear, reversed into a spear for three.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Man, the main event can go one very good way, and one very boring way. But it will probably make one intriguing match while it lasts.

The New Day come out with balloons that say 337.

Woods: "So, uh, our matchup last night against The Wyatts didn't go as planned. I am happy that Bray Wyatt was drafted to Smackdown, but that does not change the fact that, for the past 337 days, The New Day have been your WWE World Tag Team Championships!"

E: "337 days is a long time. 337 days ago, Gwen Stephani and Jennifer Garner were still married. Not to each other, but that would have been cool."

Kofi: "337 days ago, Booty-Os was just a dream. Now you can buy Booty-Os at FYE stores or order at FYE.com. Booty-Os--"

All: "They make sure you ain't booty."

Woods: "To show you how beautiful it's been, let's throw it to the beautiful video package."

A video package comes on the 'Tron to a sappy pop song.

E: "Wow. What a beautiful package!"

Woods: "What a huge package!"

Kofi: "Not a big package, but it got the job done."

Woods: "It was a nice package."

Kofi: "It came and then it was gone."

Woods: "So we've decided that, to celebrate, we're going to pick one honourary member of the WWE Universe to be a member of the New Day!"

All: "Who? Who?"

E: "You!"

Big E picks a large black man in the audience.

E: "What is your name, Sonny boy?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

E: "No, what's your name?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

Kofi: "No, what's your government name?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

Woods: "What do the bills for the utilities that you use say on the front?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

E: "When you were in the womb, and you came out, the doctor asked your mom, and she said?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

Woods: "When you go out for a lovely meal and the cheque comes, after you're done tipping the man you write?"

Man: "Sonny Boy."

Woods: "Alright, let's hear it for Sonny Boy! Now, your first order as a member of The New Day is to help us celebrate!"

E: "Because!"

Sonny Boy: "New! Day rocks!"

They all dance until Gallows and Anderson run in and beat down The New Day as Sonny Boy escapes through the crowd. Gallows tosses Woods into the steel steps. They tear the shirts from their backs, yell at Sonny Boy, then toss the t-shirts at him.

After a commercial, Jojo introduces Curtis Axel as "Mr. Irrelevant."

Axel: "Yeah, I was picked last. But that does not make me irrelevant! That just means they saved the best for last."

Match Four: Curtis Axel vs. Neville

Test of strength, Axel goes for a boot, Neville catches, side headlock, Axel whips, Neville with a hurricanrana, dodges an avalanche, hip toss for two, chinlock, Axel reverses, Neville with elbows, whip, Axel with a shoulder tackle, Neville leapfrogs another attempt, Axel tries to leapfrog, Neville with a standing shooting star press, Axel with a pair of dropkicks, chinlock, elbow drop, punches, backbreaker for two, mounted punches, grabs a leg, Neville with a kick, spin kick to the chest, deadlift German suplex, running forearm in the corner, swinging kick, back suplex, goes up top, Red Arrow for three.

Winner: Neville

Backstage, Bob Backlund tells Darren Young last night's match is a learning opportunity. Golden Truth walk in and catch a Jigglypuff, Backlund snaps at them, yells at Young that he has to do what he has to do.

They show a video package for Finn Balor.

Tom Phillips interviews Charlotte and Dana. He asks for Charlotte's thoughts on the match and on Sasha's remarks. Charlotte says tonight Sasha is alone. She says Sasha knows nothing about pressure, pressure is defending your championship every night, and she's put in all the work making the Women's Division.

Match Five: Women's Championship: Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks

Lockup, Charlotte presses Sasha to the ropes, Sasha forces her way out, stalemate, break, lockup, Sasha with an arm drag, armbar, Charlotte presses Sasha to the corner, misses an avalanche, Sasha with a rollup for one, Charlotte goes for a double-leg, Sasha rolls into a backslide for one, Charlotte with a whip, Sasha holds the ropes, Dana holds her leg, Charlotte with a punch to the back, bodyslam blocked, Sasha with a tilt-a-whirl backstabber, Charlotte avoids the Banks Statement, Sasha locks in a straight jacket with a knee in the back, Charlotte to her feet, presses Sasha to the corner, roll through, Sasha rolls into the Banks Statement, Charlotte quickly slides out of the ring, Sasha with double knees from the apron, rolls Charlotte into the ring for two, punch, Charlotte with a neckbreaker, Sasha with a boot, goes to the apron, Charlotte knocks her to the floor, running boot, grabs her championship, yells that Sasha doesn't deserve it, Sasha boots her in the face, presses her into the apron, rolls her into the ring, Dana tries to interfere, Sasha tosses her the championship, feigns injury, the ref ejects Dana, commercial.

Back on air, Charlotte has Sasha in a bow and arrow hold, Sasha goes for a hurricanrana, blocked, ducks an avalanche, Charlotte with an elbow, Sasha hits the double knees, trading shots, Charlotte with a clothesline, Sasha with a knee, Charlotte lands in the corner, Sasha sets her up sideways, double foot stomp for two, Charlotte tosses Sasha into the apron, suplex into a neckbreaker, stomp, goes up top, misses a moonsault, goes for a somersault, Sasha blocks with a knee, Sasha with a suicide dive, does the Lita landing, the ref checks on them both, Sasha looks fine, rolls Charlotte back into the ring for two, goes up top, Charlotte meets her, punches, superplex, blocked, Charlotte turns it into an exploder suplex across the ropes, moonsault from the top to the floor, goes for a cover, remembers she's on the floor, rolls Sasha into the ring for two, Figure 8 reversed into a rollup for two, Sasha with a boot in the corner, Charlotte with a big boot, Natural Selection for two as Sasha kicks out and grabs the rope, Figure Four, Sasha stops it from turning into the Figure Eight with slaps, rolls onto her stomach, Charlotte rolls to the floor, keeps the hold locked in, breaks the hold, Figure Four blocked, Natural Selection reversed into the Banks Statement, Charlotte rolls through, Sasha rolls back through, Charlotte makes it to the ropes, break, Back Stabber, Banks Statement, CHARLOTTE TAPS!

Winner and NEW Women's Champion: Sasha Banks

The Draft Era has arrived. Boom. Sasha celebrates with her championship in the ring as Charlotte walks away heartbroken.

Byron: "Sasha, congratulations. The new era now officially has its first new champion. What does this moment mean to you?"

Sasha: "I did it! I did it! This has been my dream since I was 10 years old. I told everyone that I'm the best. Now this proves that I am the best! It's a new era in the WWE, it's the era of the boss! It's the era of change! It's the era of women's wrestling! And I promise you, every week, every single time I step in this ring, I promise you, I'm going to show everyone why I am champion, and I'm going to show all of you why there is only one boss in the WWE, and that's me!"

The crowd is, like, Dean Ambrose/Daniel Bryan into this. "Yes!" chants, pops every time she hoists her new championship. Well-deserved. I have said in the past that Sasha Banks is the greatest wrestler in the world right now. I still believe only one wrestler can hold a candle to her, and they were partners last night.

Back on air, Braun Strowman is hitting the ring. His jobber opponent gets an interview.

Byron: "What on Earth are you thinking getting in the ring with Braun Strowman?"

Dude: "Appearing on Raw is a dream come true! I didn't know it would be against Braun Strowman, but anyone with two hands has a fighting chance, so if I could pull off the upset, who knows what it could do for my career?"

"Hopefully you have a career after tonight."

Match Six: Braun Strowman vs. Dude

They mentioned his name, it's something Elsworth. Dude punches Strowman, Strowman grabs him, tosses him across the ring, tosses him to the corner, boot, avalanche, reverse chokeslam for three.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Strowman has new generic entrance music.

Backstage, Golden Truth are still playing Pokemon Go.

Enzo and Cass come out.

Enzo: "My name is Enzo Amore, and I am a certified G and a bona fide stud, and you can't teach that! And this right here? This is Big Cass, and he's seven foot tall, and you can't teach that! Bada boom, realest guys in the room, how you doin'? Monday nights just got a little bit more Raw. So to quote the late, great Wu-Tang Clan member ODB, oh baby, I like it Raw. Oh baby, I like it raw!"

Cass: "Zo, I also like it raw. But there are also a few other things I like raw."

"Is that so?"

"Cookie dough. Eggs. Egg whites. Brownie batter. Fish. Sushi."

The Shining Stars come out.

Primo: "Enzo, Cass, come on guys. The only thing raw we should be talking about is the raw beauty of our island paradise."

Epicp: "And when we're done with you two, we're going to give everyone in Pittsburgh an opportunity to leave your terrible steel city behind and come to the island paradise of Puerto Rico!"

Cass: "There's only one word to describe you, and I'm gonna spell it out for you! S-A-W-F-T, SAWFT!"

Match Seven: Enzo and Cass vs. The Shining Stars

Enzo and Epico start off, Enzo with punches, Primo in, punch from behind leaps on Enzo in the ropes, kicks to the back, choke in the ropes, goes to leap again, Enzo ducks, Cass in, shoulder tackle, one for Epico, splash in the corner to Primo, powerslam, Empire Elbow for two as Epico breaks the count, Enzo goes to toss him to the floor, reversed, Cass tosses Epico to the floor, charges Primo, Primo tosses him to the floor, R-Truth comes in the ring looking for Pokemon, Goldust shuttles him away, Cass with a big boot to Promo for three.

Winners: Enzo and Cass

Backstage, Balor confronts Roman and they wish each other luck. Balor says the Irish invented luck. Roman says he's Samoan, "'Nuff said."

Brock Lesnar is official for next week.

Main Event: WWE Universal Heavyweight Championship Tournament: Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns

Roman opens with punches, punches in the corner, tosses Balor across the ring, stomp in the corner, tosses Balor back across the ring, punch in the corner, whip, Balor ducks an avalanche, kick, Roman with a whip, shoulder tackle, foot choke, Balor with a dropkick, Roman misses a punch, Balor with kicks, Roman with a spinning back elbow, toss to the corner, clotheslines, punch, Drive-By blocked, Balor with a leaping double stomp, running dropkick across the barricade, commercial.

Back on air, Balor meets Roman back in the ring, Roman with a Samoan drop for two, mounted punches, protoplex for two, chinlock, Balor punches his way out, Roman with a clothesline, whip to the corner, clothesline, whip, Balor with a boot, punch, running forearm, goes for another, Roman rolls him up, powerbomb for two, misses a Superman Punch, goes up top, Balor punches him to the floor, baseball slide, running boot, rolls Roman into the ring, goes up top, Coup de Grace to the back of the head for two, Roman goes for a Samoan Drop, reversed into a Sling Blade, Balor goes for a running dropkick, Roman reverses into a Superman Punch for two, Razor's Edge reversed into a rollup for two, Roman hits a powerbomb, then another for two, calls for a spear, Balor reverses into a Sling Blade, dropkick to the corner, goes up top, Coup de Grace for three!

Winner: Finn Balor

OH MY GOD! Michael Cole informs us that this is Finn Balor's birthday, I THINK IT'S EVERYONE'S GODDAMN BIRTHDAY! Finn Balor will be facing Seth Rollins at Summerslam for the Universal Heavyweight Championship, that is a no-lose situation! The New Era is genuinely upon us. As of this moment, it does not look like a catchphrase, or a marketing gimmick. In two nights, we were treated to the Bayley debut we deserved, Sasha Banks won the Women's Championship, and Finn Balor made it to the top of the world his first night on Raw.

Tom Phillips interviews Roman Reigns from the floor.

Tom: "Roman, you just lost to Finn Balor. Do you have any comments?"

Roman: "I want Finn Balor to beat Seth Rollins at Summerslam. When he does, he has my respect."

Raw goes off the air with Finn Balor celebrating in the ring.