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‘WWE Monday Night Raw’ Results: Finn Bálor And Sasha Banks Injured — Bayley Debuts

By Dustin Murrell
Published on: 11:36 PST, Aug 22, 2016

Roman Reigns gave Rusev such a beating at SummerSlam last night that the WWE United States Champion was deemed unable to compete. Although Rusev started the brawl, Reigns continued beating the Bulgarian Brute long after officials warned him to stop. While neither Commissioner Stephanie McMahon nor General Manager Mick Foley announced a U.S. title rematch tonight, Roman Reigns earned a chance to win the WWE Universal Championship on next week’s Monday Night Raw.

McMahon did issue a statement regarding Brock Lesnar’s actions at WWE SummerSlam 2016, however. Not only did Lesnar leave Randy Orton so bloodied that The Viper required 10 staples, but he also delivered his patented F-5 to the SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon. While Brock Lesnar didn’t receive a suspension on WWE Raw tonight, fans can expect Stephanie to make a formal statement about The Beast’s WWE future in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Lesnar’s fans and the mainstream media will be waiting for him to continue taking shots at Conor McGregor, who Lesnar had some very strong words for before UFC 202 and SummerSlam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jSsGG4TwXI

While Lesnar was definitely the primary focus of the mainstream media at SummerSlam, former host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart wasn’t far behind. He played a pivotal role in another title match at this year’s SummerSlam event, as he prevented The Club from taking The New Day’s WWE Tag Team Championship. The internet was also buzzing about the immediate future of Sasha Banks, who appeared to injure herself during the WWE Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam. All of these issues, and much more, were addressed on this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.

WWE Monday Night Raw results

The following includes the results of all the matches and segments from WWE Raw on August 22. Raw has won the “ratings war” ever since the separate rosters were established, although SmackDown Live hasn’t been far behind. Will Stephanie and Mick have anything special planned for the third consecutive night of live WWE action in the same venue? This episode of WWE Raw airs live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Sasha Banks will challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship when she returns from injury. [Image via WWE]

Raw Pre-Show on the WWE Network

Scott Stanford hosted the Raw Pre-Show. He was joined by Lita, Booker T, and Jerry “The King” Lawler, all three of whom were panelists for SummerSlam last night. The Pre-Show began with the announcement that Finn Balor would be relinquishing the WWE Universal Championship. He suffered an injury in his match against Seth Rollins last night and will likely be out of action for at least six months.

WWE United States Champion Rusev was interviewed via Skype (along with Lana) and claimed that he attacked Roman Reigns believing that the bell had already rung. Lana mocked the WWE Universe for cheering on the violence of Roman Reigns.

The hosts of the Raw Pre-Show also drew attention to the fact that The Dudley Boyz seem to have announced that they’ll be retiring on Raw tonight.

Finn Bálor Relinquished The WWE Universal Championship

Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton welcomed the WWE Universe to Monday Night Raw by relaying the announcement that Finn Bálor was injured more severely than originally thought. Although he won the WWE Universal Championship at WWE SummerSlam 2016, his injury would keep him out of the ring long enough that he would have to forfeit the title less than 24 hours after winning it.

As Bálor left the ring, Seth Rollins came out, acting as though he should automatically be the new champion. He was interrupted by Sami Zayn, who didn’t even get a word in before Chris Jericho’s music hit. Of course, it wasn’t long before the other half of JeriKO made his way to the ring, as Kevin Owens seemed to think he deserved consideration for the belt. They were soon joined by their SummerSlam opponents Enzo and Big Cass, who barely got in the ring before Roman Reigns invited himself to the foray.

Foley and McMahon finally made the announcement that a series of matches involving the men in the ring — as well as a few others — would culminate in the crowning of a new WWE Universal Champion on next week’s Monday Night Raw. The first match in that series would begin immediately, featuring Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn.

Seth Rollins Defeated Sami Zayn

Although Stephanie and Mick hadn’t yet explained to the WWE Universe exactly how things would play out next week, Seth Rollins took the next step forward in his quest to become the new WWE Universal Champion. Ironically, Sami Zayn appeared to legitimately injure his ankle during this match. However, in the same spirit of Finn Bálor, he continued to work through the match in lieu of the injury. Rollins continued to pull on his ankle, however, which means the whole thing could have been a work. Either way, Rollins continues to prove why he was deserving of the No. 1 overall pick in the WWE Draft with this win over Sami Zayn.

Kevin Owens Defeated Neville

In the second match leading to next week’s Universal title match, the larger half of JeriKO, got a win after kicking out of Neville’s spinning corkscrew moonsault. Y2J made his way to ringside to cheer on his new tag team partner and provided just enough of a distraction to help Kevin Owens get the win. As the match concluded, Michael Cole gave further details about the series of matches leading to the Universal Championship next week.

The match on next week’s Monday Night Raw will be a Fatal 4-Way Match featuring the winners of four singles matches on this week’s Raw. Joining Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens next week will be the winners of Big Cass vs. Rusev and Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho.

Big E Defeated Karl Anderson After The New Day’s In-Ring Celebration

After successfully leaving WWE SummerSlam 2016 still the WWE Tag Team Champions — albeit with some help from Jon Stewart — The New Day arrived at Monday Night Raw ready to celebrate officially holding the belts for 365 days. Just as they were about to open up a piñata full of Booty-O’s, their party was interrupted by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Adamant that The New Day had nothing to celebrate after losing their match last night, they were clear about their intentions of getting a rematch and taking the titles from Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E. As expected, there was some shenanigans at ringside during Big E vs. Karl Anderson, but Langston was ultimately successful in his return to in-ring action.

Titus O’Neil Calls Out — And Lays Out — Darren Young and Bob Backlund

Although he stumbled over his words a little bit during the outset, Titus O’Neil came to the ring to talk about how Darren Young was holding him back until they lost the tag titles at SummerSlam last year. During his rant, the live audience in Brooklyn could be heard chanting “we want Slater.” There will obviously be at least one more match to settle this feud, possibly at WWE Clash of Champions, as O’Neil left both Young and Bob Backlund lying in the ring.

Stephanie McMahon Addresses Brock Lesnar’s Actions At SummerSlam

Without divulging any specific details regarding an official response from WWE, Stephanie McMahon simply said that she echoed her brother’s sentiments when it comes to Brock Lesnar. While he is unquestionably a megastar, he crossed the line at SummerSlam when he delivered the F-5 to Shane McMahon after leaving Randy Orton bloodied in the ring. If any kayfabe punishments are to come, they haven’t been announced yet.

Rusev Walked Out — Big Cass Advanced

After his WWE United States Championship Match against Roman Reigns was cancelled at SummerSlam last night, the U.S. champ was given the opportunity to earn a spot in next week’s match for the WWE Universal Championship on Monday Night Raw. While Rusev was introduced by his wife Lana, Big Cass made his standard intro with Enzo Amore. Part-way through the match, Rusev appeared to lose interest, leaving the match while holding his ribs, which were injured at SummerSlam thanks to Reigns. Big Cass joins Rollins and Owens in the Fatal 4-Way, along with the winner of Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho.

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Charlotte Celebrates — Sasha Banks No-Shows — Foley Announces Signing Of Bayley

After Charlotte and Dana Brooke came to the ring to celebrate the beginning of the champion’s second reign, GM Foley interrupted the proceedings. He was there to announce that Sasha Banks — who wasn’t present at Monday Night Raw this week — would be granted a rematch for the WWE Women’s Championship upon her return. He had another big announcement, however. Fresh off of her loss to Asuka at TakeOver: Back to Brooklyn II for the NXT Women’s Championship, Bayley made her official debut on Monday Night Raw. Moments later, she began her match against Dana Brooke.

Bayley Defeated Dana Brooke

Making her Monday Night Raw debut in a big way, Bayley challenged Charlotte for the WWE Women’s Championship. When the champ pointed out that she wasn’t dressed for competition — and that Bayley hadn’t technically done anything to deserve a title shot — Foley agreed that Dana Brooke would compete against Bayley instead. After a competitive match, the newest addition to the red brand began her WWE Raw career with a win.

Braun Strowman Pinned Johnny Knockout — Twice

This week’s local enhancement talent being fed to Braun Strowman was indie wrestler Johnny Knockout. Prior to the match, he told Byron Saxton that the reason he accepted this match was because he “likes big, sweaty men.” Per usual, the former Wyatt Family member won the match with a reverse chokeslam. After the match, he continued the beat-down, forcing the referee to give another three-count.

The Dudley Boyz Are Interrupted By The Shining Stars And The Club

In what appears to be a face-turn before one final run at the tag titles, The Dudley Boyz were thanking the WWE Universe for the years of support that led to Bubba Ray and Devon becoming the most decorated tag team in WWE history. Their promo was cut short by Primo and Epico, The Shining Stars. While The Dudley Boyz seemed to be able to handle the Puerto Rican duo, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out for the second time on this week’s Raw and left all four men lying the ring.

Roman Reigns Defeated Chris Jericho

In an attempt to assist his JeriKO partner, Kevin Owens made his way to ringside during Chris Jericho’s match with Roman Reigns. Unfortunately for Jericho, Reigns is a much harder competitor to get past than Neville. While Owens definitely provided the intended distraction — and even got in a cheap shot on the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion — The Big Dog was ultimately successful. He moves on to face Seth Rollins, Colin Cassady and Kevin Owens in the Fatal 4-Way to decide the new WWE Universal Champion on Monday Night Raw next week. Of course, the WWE Universe can expect Rusev to get involved in next week’s main event, as well as Kevin Owen’s tag partner, Y2J.

Additional Notes:

  • It was announced that the Cruiserweight Division would officially become a part of Monday Night Raw beginning September 15. Since that is the first Raw after the conclusion of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tournament — and less than two weeks prior to WWE Clash of Champions — it’s possible that a WWE Cruiserweight Champion could be crowned at the next Raw PPV.
  • While the best-of-seven series between Sheamus and Cesaro began at WWE SummerSlam last night, neither competitor was active on Raw. Sheamus cut a backstage promo, while Cesaro wasn’t heard from at all. Sheamus currently leads the series 1-0.

The above WWE Raw results will be corroborated by WWE’s official Monday Night Raw page.

Presumed WWE Clash Of Champions Card

  • TBD vs. TBD — WWE Universal Championship Match
  • Charlotte (c) vs. TBD — WWE Women’s Championship Match
  • The New Day (c) vs. TBD — WWE Tag Team Championship Match
  • Rusev (c) vs. TBD — WWE United States Championship Match
  • Cesaro vs. Sheamus

Prior to Monday Night Raw, the only thing confirmed for the Clash of Champions card was that every Raw title would be defended. More information will be provided at WWE’s official Clash of Champions 2016 preview page.

Where To Watch

WWE SummerSlam 2016, which originally aired Sunday, August 21, is currently available to stream on-demand via the WWE Network. The next Monday Night Raw-branded PPV will be Clash of Champions on September 25.

WWE Monday Night Raw airs live on the USA Network at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central, with the Raw Pre-Show airing on the WWE Network at 7:30 p.m. Eastern/6:30 p.m. Central. Replays of WWE RAW aren’t made available on the WWE Network until several weeks after the original air date. However, a 90-minute version of Monday Night Raw is available to stream on-demand the following day with a Hulu Plus subscription.

[Image via WWE]

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