Raw has its new roster!

Big E is still WWE World Champion after Crown Jewel, but there are new stars coming to Raw! Who will be the first to go for his gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat Tag: The Street Profits VS The Dirty Dawgs VS The Alpha Academy; The Dirty Dawgs win and will challenge RKBRO for the titles later tonight.
• Zelina Vega VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Vega wins.
• Damian Priest VS T-Bar; Priest wins, by disqualification.
• Carmella VS Liv Morgan; Carmella wins.
• Keith Lee VS Cedric; Lee wins.
• Dominik Mysterio VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
• Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Dirty Dawgs; RKBRO wins and retains the titles.
• WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Ladder Match: Seth Rollins VS Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor VS Kevin Owens; Rollins wins and will challenge Big E for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Big E is here!

Houston is ready to feel the power as the Powerhouse of Positivity walks out, still WWE World Champion! Big E gets the mic and he welcomes, “Ladies and gentlemen, boy sand girls, cats and dogs, welcome to the season premiere of Monday Night Raw! And what better town to host a season premiere than a town that gave us DJ Screw, a town that gave us those incredible Mitchell & Ness Oilers throwbacks, and a town that has a Pappadeaux’s on damn near every corner!” He is talking about HOUSTON, TEXAS~! Fans chant for the Astros and Big E lets them show the love. He wishes the Astros luck, and continues.

Big E would be remiss if he didn’t mention the oh so gracious and brand new KING OF THE RING, Xavier Woods! Big E also tips his cap to Drew McIntyre, “a man who pushed me, a man who sharpened my iron, a man who is the reason that I am better today than I was a week ago.” There is no rest for the weary, though, and there is an influx of talent from SmackDown to Raw. He therefore asks who (Who who who?) Wait! Here comes SETH ROLLINS! The Visionary has his white coat with black trim and swaggers his way to the ring. Rollins gets a mic and has a good laugh, then says, “You already know why I am out here.” Big E says Rollins lost to Edge so…

Rollins shouts, “He’s not here, but I am! And I want that title around your waist as soon as possible!” But, Rollins lost to Edge. That means Rollins is at the back of the line. Rollins says he’s had a long week, going through hell on Thursday. And for the past year on SmackDown, he earned his stripes. But the Universal Champion is too afraid to give Rollins his opportunity, so here he is asking Big E. Does Big E want to be like Roman Reigns? Or does he want to be a fighting champion? C’mon, E! This is the season premiere! What better way to start it off than Big E VS Seth Freakin’ Rollins for the WWE Championship?! C’mon, think about it.

But here comes REY MYSTERIO! Rey tells Rollins, “Clearly your vision is impaired after getting your head bashed in by Edge.” It’s been a minute since they’ve seen eye to eye, but if anyone deserves a title shot, it’s Rey. And Rey believes his resume speaks for itself. A former US Champion, Intercontinental Champion, Tag Team Champion, a three-time World Heavyweight Champion and a former WWE Champion. Rey is willing to do whatever it takes to win that championship one more time. Rollins wants Big E to ignore Rey, but here coms FINN BALOR!

The Prince says, “Hey, Rey-Rey. You know I’ve got nothing but love for ya. But with all due respect, I am a two-time NXT Champion. I am a two-time Intercontinental Champion. And Seth, I was the first-ever Universal Champion.” But there’s one title he’s yet to hold, and now that he’s here on Raw, he wants the WWE Championship. Rollins wants Big E to understand he is the most qualified, but here comes KEVIN OWENS! “I don’t want to be that guy, but if we’re going to come out here and talk about our accolades, I wanna play, too.” Former NXT Champion, former three-time US Champion, former two-time Intercontinental Champion, and there’s something about the first time that he won that title. Oh yeah! It was right here in Houston!

But wait! Kevin says there’s something coming to him. What else happened in Houston? Oh right! He became Universal Champion in this very building and correct him if he’s wrong, but the person he beat that for was “Cruella Deville,” Seth Rollins! Rollins’ head was about where Big E’s standing, and his legs were where Rey’s standing- Rollins attacks Kevin! And DECKS Rey Then brawls with Balor ! Balor BOOTS back, Kevin kicks but Rollins avoids the Stunner! Kevin chases Rollins tot he stage but Sonya Deville comes out to stop this before it gets too chaotic. If these guys want a shot at the title, they’re in luck! Later on tonight, it’ll be a Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match!

Rollins argues that this shouldn’t happen, and it should just be his opportunity! But Sonya says let’s raise the stakes a bit for the season premiere. Let’s make it a LADDER MATCH!! Rollins is even more upset, but will he be able to take out all his anger on his opponents? Or will someone else “steal” this chance from him again?

Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat Tag: The Street Profits VS The Dirty Dawgs VS The Alpha Academy!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are ready to bring the smoke to Houston, but they’re up against some familiar foes. Will they be able to get past, Robert Roode, Dolph Ziggler, Chad Gable and Otis Dozovic to get a shot? Or will another team get their shot at RKBRO?

Raw returns as the Dirty Dawgs make their entrance. Then the Alpha Academy makes their entrance, and in this kind of Triple Threat Tag, only two teams are active. Ford and Gable start, they tie up, go around, and Gable puts Ford in the open corner. Ford slips away and hits a headlock takeover. Gable headscissors, Ford kips out but Gable hits a headlock takeover. Ford headscissors, Gable kips free, Ford wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Ford grinds the arm, wrenches to a wristlock but Gable rolls, bridges, and handsprings to wrench and headlock then spin and drop toehold! Gable has the armlock and shouts, “For the Academy!”

Gable keeps on the armlock, then shifts to a facelock. Ford fights up, Gable clinches and headlocks but Ford powers out, only for Gable to run him over! Things speed up, Ford hurdles and jumps, but into a waistlock! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Ford lands on his feet to dropkick Gable down! Ford taunts Otis by dusting off his hands, then he brings Gable up to tag in Dawkins. The Profits whip then run Gable over, but Roode gets in. He gets double hip tosses, then Ziggler runs in to get a DOUBLE FLAPJACK onto Roode! Otis gets in and the Profits go after him! He shoves them away but they double dropkick him out! The Profits are fired up and RKBRO is watching as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roode suplexes Ford and holds him up for 5 before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Roode does push-ups to show off then he stomps Ford. “Big Bob” brings Ford around to whip him into the corner. Ford elbows back, then ROCKS Ziggler! Ford fights the Dawgs, Roode spins Ford but Ford ENZIGURIS! Roode tumbles out, Ford crawls for his corner but Ziggler gets Roode in. Ziggler tags, anchors Ford, and ducks the enziguri! But Ford turns Famouser into a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! But he can’t make the cover! Otis gets in to drag Ziggler to the Academy corner! Otis tags in and he gets Ford to throw him into the Academy corner! Otis runs in but Ford doges and Otis POSTS himself!

Gable tags in, he gets Ford’s legs and drags him back, but Ford kicks him away! Hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Gable, Roode, but Gable throat chops! Gable whips, Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Roode gets in but gets a FLAPJACK! Gable gets an EXPLODER! Ziggler gets a T-BONE SUPLEX! Dawkins fire sup, spins Gable, SILENCER! Cover, Roode breaks it! Roode whips but Dawkins reverses to throw Roode out. Dawkins runs at Gable but Otis makes the save! Otis and Gable mug Dawkins, then Otis runs, DISCUS LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Ford FROM THE HEAVENS breaks it!!

Otis runs at Ford but he gets dumped out! Ford ENZIGURIS Otis down, but Roode tags in! Roode attacks Ford, whips him to ropes but Ford dodges to FLY out onto Otis! Dawkins pops Roode up for the ANOINTING! Dawkins crawls towards the Profits’ corner but Ford looks back to see Omos storming up! Ford LEAPS but Omos catches him to THROW him into barriers! Roode and Ziggler coordinate while Omos DECKS Dawkins! GLORIOUS ZIGZAG!! Cover, the Dirty Dawgs win!!

Winners: The Dirty Dawgs, by pinfall (will challenge RKBRO later tonight)

The Show-Off and the Glorious One get the win thanks to the Mountain of a Man, and now they just have to wait for later tonight. Will the Dawgs be able to win the gold without help? Or will the Viper and the Stallion knock them down, too?

The ring crew prepares the red carpet.

After the break, we have our first ever Queen of the Ring coronation! Who will celebrate with Queen Zelina here in Houston?

Raw returns and Zelina Vega makes her entrance.

The first true Queen of the WWE waves to her subjects, already wearing the cape and holding the scepter. But she is already upset with the ring announcer. “How dare you introduce me like that, Mike Rome. I’m not just some superstar, okay? I am the first-ever Queen’s Crown Tournament Winner! You are talking about royalty here. So try it again with some actual bravado, like we rehearsed.” Mike Rome says, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Your Majesty, your one and only official Queen of WWE, QUEEN ZELINA!” She then puts the crown upon her head and sits upon the throne. She is satisfied, and says she is no longer underappreciated for her greatness.

Zelina told us all that she is the only woman fit to be queen. Her ascension to the throne was always her destiny. “None of those other girls in the locker room ever had a chance.” But they’re watching backstage… Zelina says we will all bow down to THE Queen! She thanks them, then says the question still remains. What kind of a queen will she be? A generous queen? A beautiful queen? A cruel queen? A queen to be loved or to be feared? The answer is simple: All of the above! Piper Niven stops watching as Zelina says “If you are not the most powerful woman in the room, then you are nothing.” And Zelina will prove that as she defeats Piper again!

This crown proves she is best of the best! We will talk of her reign as years to come! She will be as iconic like Nefertiti, as ruthless as Cleopatra- No, better! All Hail Queen Zelina! But speaking of, here comes Piper Niven! Will Doudrop overthrow Zelina in a rematch from Crown Jewel?

Zelina Vega VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Zelina wants Piper to bow down and kiss her boot, but Piper takes the scepter and reels Zelina in for a LARIAT! Piper then throws double ax handles and TOSSES Zelinan around! Piper drags Zelina up and TOSSES her again! Zelina flounders to ropes, Piper scoops her and SLAMS her! Piper runs and hits a BACK SENTON! Zelina is gasping and crawling but Piper drags her from ropes. Piper scoops, Zelina slips out and pulls hair to shove Piper. Piper scowls and Zelina wants mercy, but Piper corners her. Zelina throws Piper into buckles then stomps away! The ref counts as she digs boots in and Zelina lets off at 4.

Zelina runs in to JUMP KICK! And then she shoves Piper down, hops up the corner, leaps, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Zelina is shocked and hurries to another corner. She unties a buckle pad! The ref sees that but she’s already undone the pad. The ref goes to put it back but Zelina gets her scepter! Zelina CLOBBERS Piper with it! Cover, Zelina wins!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

The queen defends her honor by resorting to tricks. Will Piper look to get her revenge for this one? Or will another show up La Muneca Reina?

Becky Lynch is here!

The title swap on SmackDown, tense as it was, has now restored The Man as the Raw Women’s Champion, and she is here to make this season premiere big time! What will the “new” champion have to say now that she’s full-time on Mondays? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Becky has the mic to say, “The Man and the new Raw Women’s Champion and the new face of Monday Night Raw has come around to Houston! Oh, it feels good to have this title back on this shoulder. The title that I never lost. The title that I won at WrestleMania 35 and no one has been able to beat me for since.” And Becky will pick up where she left off. She only came back two months ago but she’s made headlines ever since. In a history making, groundbreaking, earthshaking Triple Threat match, she overcame insurmountable odds to send Sasha Banks off and Bianca Belair packing with her little braid between her legs.

“Because as the Man of the People, I know you don’t want to see Bianca Belair anywhere near this title.” There is a whole new crop of women wanting a taste at the big time. You wanna see Becky beat Rhea Ripley! Liv Morgan! But they will all learn, just like Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair learn, that you can’t always get what you want. Unless you’re Becky, she always gets what she wants. But here comes Bianca after all! Houston cheers for the EST as she swaggers down the ramp and then has a mic of her own. “Becky, with you, it’s always something something very much something.”

Bianca left Crown Jewel with a lot of feelings, but shame wasn’t one of them. Because Becky didn’t pin Bianca. Or should she say, she wasn’t the one Becky cheated? Don’t think Bianca didn’t see the rope trick. But if anyone should be ashamed, it’s Becky. Becky only thinks she gets what she wants because she hasn’t faced adversity. She’s found every single way to slip away, but all of that’s about to change. Bianca beat Sasha at Mania, Bayley at Hell in a Cell, and last week she beat Charlotte Flair. So technically, Bianca has a rematch for the Raw Women’s title, which just so happens to be Becky’s. So that 26 seconds of fame is up and so is the title reign.

But there is one thing Becky’s right about: the NEW Face of Raw has arrived, and that is no one other than the E S T! Well, Becky figured Esther would have something to say so she prepared something. Here is her face after triumph at Crown Jewel. What a lovely face. And here is Bianca’s face after losing at Crown Jewel. Aww, so sad, so grumpy. That’s not the face of Raw but the face of a loser. And not facing adversity? Becky faced it, overcame it and slapped the head off it to become a hero to the people! Bianca, on the other hand, has had a straight shot to the title. She won the Royal Rumble, won in the main event at Mania, beat the best women in the WWE, but only because Becky wasn’t around. And since then, it’s been nothing but disappointment for Bianca.

Bianca says the only thing she’s disappointed is that she hasn’t smacked the goofy smile of Becky’s face to show everyone who she really is. Let’s be real: the only thing Becky’s done since coming back is hiding how hurt her feelings really are. Because Becky really thought everyone would be so happy to see Big Time Becks again that they’d forget about lil’ ol’ Bianca. But they keep rooting for her, and that bothers Becky. Becky might have the title but she still seeks validation. So behind that forced smile, the catchphrases, the ego and the title, Becky has nothing. Having the title is a beautiful thing. But if you’re not enough with it, you’re not enough without it. We all know it

Bianca has shown who she is without the title, she is still the EST. But Becky, at the end of the day, she will never be the storngEST, the fastEST or the smartEST because Bianca sees right through her! SO either shut up or run up because Bianca wants her match for the title right here tonight! Oh she wants to act tough, wants to act like she’s better than Becky? One more time to see who the best woman is? “Well look at my face. It says, ‘Get to the back of the line, b*tch.'” But Bianca ROCKS Becky then stomps away in the corner! Fans fire up and Bianca gives Becky a SPINEBUSTER! Becky bails out, Bianca pursues and TOSSES her over the announce desk!

Bianca is furious but Becky comes back with a kendo stick! But Bianca blocks it, takes it from Becky, and runs her back into the ring! Bianca SMACKS away on Becky’s back! Becky ducks to mule kick then gets the stick again. But Bianca gets Becky’s arm! Torture rack, but Becky claws Bianca’s eyes! Becky gets the stick and uses it in a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Becky holds up the belt then runs off. Becky gets another mic and says, “You want your match? You got it! Just not tonight!” Big Time Becks does things on her time, but when will she and the EST go around one more time?

Kevin Owens finds Finn Balor backstage.

Big match, big opportunity. They’ve known each other a long time and there are few people Kevin respects as much as Finn. But Kevin has to win this. Every man for himself. That’s just the way Finn likes it. See you out there. How far will the Prince and the Prizefighter each go to be the one going after Big E and the title?

Damian Priest VS T-Bar!

The WWE United States Champion has new music and tron but the same mission: #LiveForever. Will he continue to do that as he defeats the towering T-Bar? Or will he feast his eyes on defeat instead?

Raw returns and T-Bar makes his entrance. The bell rings and T-Bar circles with Priest. They approach, T-Bar kicks low and throws heavy hands. T-Bar whips, Priest wrenches, dodges and BELL CLAPS! Dragon sleeper but T-Bar manages to pick Priest up for SNAKE EYES! T-Bar runs to CYCLONE BOOT! Cover, TWO! T-Bar snarl and stomps Priest, then drags him up. Priest throws body shots, dodges a boot and choke grips, but T-Bar breaks free to BACK ELBOW! Priest fires back with kick after kick, but spins into T-Bar’s choke grip! CHOKE SLAM BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! T-Bar goes to a corner, goes up top, and MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE?!?

T-Bar drags Priest up by his hear and says he’s taking that title. Priest ROCKS T-Bar with forearm after forearm, then fires off more fast hands! T-Bar goes to a corner, Priest runs corner to corner, BIG leaping elbow! And then the BROKEN ARROW! T-Bar flounders up, Priest runs in to clothesline him out of the ring! T-Bar staggers to the announce desk, Priest goes out after him. T-Bar THROWS the armchair at him!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification

But Priest doesn’t fall, he’s enraged! He CLOBBERS T-Bar with a lariat! And then SLAMS the armchair down on him! And he rains down furious fists and stomps! Priest hammers away on T-Bar at the announce desk, then RAMS him into the barriers! He drags T-Bar up again and THROWS him at the post! T-Bar tumbles down the steel steps, but Priest drags him back up to put him back in the ring. Priest drags T-Bar up to the dragon sleeper, for the RECKONING! The Archer of Infamy has rage to spare, will all of Raw feel his wrath soon enough?

Carmella admires her safety mask.

“The only asset more valuable than this custom designed, diamond coated carbon fiber mask is my beautiful face. I’m like the diamond of WWE. So precious, so rare, so expensive, honey. Which makes me the perfect fit for the red brand.” She can’t help others are insecure around her, like Liv Morgan, a jealous hater following her here from SmackDown to deny the WWE Universe her beauty! But Mella always has a plan. With the mask protecting her money maker, no one can stop her influence over Raw as the Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE! But will she back up all her words in one more rematch with Liv Morgan?

Carmella VS Liv Morgan!

Raw returns and Mella’s team has put on the protective mask. Liv makes her entrance and she’s showing off her Chucky inspired Halloween costume already. The bell rings, Mella ROCKS Liv with a forearm! Mella puts Liv in a corner to fire off wild hands, then dares Liv to mess her face up now. Mella throws back elbows, lets off to say, “I’m hot! You’re not!” Then she runs in to FABULOUS BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, ONE! Mella drags Liv up but Liv throws forearms! Liv runs in to back elbow in the corner, then runs, into BOOTS! Mella shoves Liv to a cover, TWO! Mella wraps on a chinlock and grinds Liv down. “You’re so jealous of me!”

Liv fights up, throws elbows but Mella knees her down. Mella says Liv is jealous but Liv kicks and kicks and ENZIGURIS! Mella staggers, Liv runs in to SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Liv whips Mella corner to corner but runs into another boot. Mella checks her mask, runs at Liv but Liv puts her in the ropes to CLUB her into a draping position. SPRINGBOARD STOMP! Cover, TWO! Mella bails out, Liv goes out and spins Mella to WING SNAPPER! Mella stops from being sent into the desk and elbows Liv away, but then Liv BULLDOGS Mella off the hood! Liv congratulates Corey on the engagement, though.

Liv puts Mella in the ring, runs at the ropes but Mella dodges to backslide! But Liv rolls through to make it a cradle! TWO! Mella runs and tilt-o-whirls into the FACEBUSTER! Cover, Mella wins!

Winner: Carmella, by pinfall

Off comes the mask and the celebration begins! But will anyone ever humble the Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE?

Keith Lee VS ???

The Limitless Bearcat is ready to tear his way through the roster and towards titles! Who will simply be the next stepping stone on the road to gold?

Raw returns and Keith’s opponent is Cedric Alexander! Shelton Benjamin is in Alexander’s corner, but will the Hurt Business learn what getting hurt really feels like? The bell rings and Keith rushes Alexander, puts him in a corner, then TOSSES him across the way! Alexander bails out, Benjamin checks on him and Keith dares Alexander to get back in the ring. The ring count is climbing, Benjamin has Alexander use up most of it, and then Alexander gets in at 8. Alexander kicks at Keith’s leg but Keith just stands there. Keith swings on Alexander, Alexander gets around but Keith shoves him away! Then runs in, but Alexander slips to the apron to GAMANGIRI!

But Keith is just angry! Alexander springboards into a claw, and Keith STO’s Alexander down hard! Keith drags Alexander up to throw a HEAVY body shot, then clamps on claws to CLOBBER Alexander with a crossface forearm. Alexander flounders to a corner, Keith runs in to SPLASH, then he shoves Alexander back down. Keith smirks as he runs in to the corner, but misses again! Alexander kicks away on the leg, runs, and dropkicks the leg! Keith staggers, Alexander handsprings but Keith follows to POUNCE Alexander down! Keith hauls Alexander up to short arm LARIAT! Keith drags Alexander up, fireman’s carries and growls as he hits the BIG BANG CATASTROPHE! Cover, Keith wins!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall

Ferocious dominance from the Bearcat, but Benjamin sneaks in. Keith sees him before he can make a move, so the Gold Standard backs away slowly. Will Benjamin test Keith’s limits soon enough?

Dominik helps his father prepare backstage.

He gets Rey some water and asks what else he needs. No, Rey is good. He just has to get in the zone. It’s been a minute since he was in a ladder match and with three opponents. But whoever wins is #1 contender. Dom has trust in his father, but then Austin Theory walk sin asking if they know where the towels are. And then he realizes he’s looking at THE Rey Mysterio, “King of the 619!” Theory says Rey is his hero. Can they get a selfie? Uh, sure. Oh, but uh, maybe Dom can take it for them? No, he isn’t a photographer and this isn’t Theory’s locker room. Then how about they “take a selfie,” in the ring?

Dom accepts the challenge. Rey respects his son’s guts, and Dom says Rey doesn’t have to worry, he’s got this. And that battle of young up and comers is coming up next!

Dominik Mysterio VS Austin Theory!

Raw returns and Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings and Dom circles with Theory. They tie up, Theory knees low then throws big forearms. Theory whips Dom corner to corner but Dom reverses. Theory goes up and over to dropkick Dom down! Theory mocks Latino Heat and fans boo! Dom scowls and fans rally up behind him as he circles with Theory. They tie up, Dom knuckle locks, ROCKS Theory with a forearm, then goes up and up and hits a FLYING arm-drag! Dom dropkicks Theory to ropes, and shows the proper way to do Latino Heat! Dom whips, Theory reverses and kicks low. Theory whips but Dom ducks and dodges to RANA!

Theory flounders, Dom storms over but Theory throws hands. Theory suplexes, Dom slips out and wheelbarrows but Theory blocks to a half nelson BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Theory mocks Latino Heat again, as well as the fans cheering Dom. The fans boo Theory as he brings Dom up, suplexes, but Dom turns it into a cradle! TWO, and Dom gets to a corner to boot. Theory blocks but Dom ENZIGURIS! Theory runs in, Dom dodges and comes back to back elbow! Dom goes up and reels Theory in, SUPER BULLDOG! Theory stagers, Dom runs in but the monkey flip is made into a FLAPJACK! Then fireman’s carry, ATL! Cover, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

And Theory gets his phone for the victory selfie. The ref reprimands but Theory gets one with the ref, too. Theory leaves, but will he be this cocky #AllDay? Or will someone bring him back down to earth?

RKBRO talks at gorilla.

C’mon, Randy. So many cool ideas for Halloween! Two-headed Viper! Mario & Luigi! Orton can even be Luigi cuz green makes his eyes pop. Or, they could be those two creepy twins from The Shining. What size dress does he wear? Riddle, take a breath, stop talking, and focus. Tonight, Orton promises they can talk about Halloween until they’re both blue in the face, but they need to retain their titles first. Ziggler & Roode are former champions and are here to prove something. Does Riddle understand? Yes! Let’s clean those Dirty Dawgs up! Get it? Cuz they’re dirty!

Riddle scooters out and the champions make their entrance. But will this oddball stable still have these titles through the holiday season? Or will DZ and “Big Bob” pull off a victorious double duty tonight?

Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Dirty Dawgs!

Raw returns and the challengers make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Dirty Dawgs can win twice in one night!

The fans chant for RKBRO already as the teams sort out. Ziggler starts with Riddle and they circle. They feel it out, Riddle gets a leg and picks Ziggler up but Ziggler sunset flips, ONE! Riddle rolls Ziggler to a ghost pin, ONE! Ziggler makes it a press, ONE! Ziggler eggs Riddle on but then tags to Roode. Riddle points to Orton and fans cheer for “RANDY! RANDY!” Riddle tags Orton in and Orton circles with Roode. They tie up, Roode gets a waistlock but Orton pries at the hold and hooks a leg to get the switch. Roode tries the same trick but then he elbows out! Orton goes to a corner, Roode CHOPS him! Roode climbs up and rains down fists! “I’m Big Bob!” Roode flexes, Orton pokes him in the eye!

Orton throws EuroUppers, whips Roode corner to corner but Roode reverses. Orton dodges, but Roode narrowly avoids an RKO! Roode bails out and fans fire up. Orton tells Roode how close that was as fans chant for “RKO! RKO!” Roode takes his time returning, but Orton kicks him low and brings him around for a EuroUpper! Roode falls down so Orton stomps him down. Orton stomps the limbs, tags Riddle, and positions Roode for the Assisted Floating Bro! Cover, TWO! Roode gets to ropes, Riddle storms over and throws forearms and kicks in the corner! The ref counts, Riddle lets off and even Orton applauds.

Roode bails out, Riddle goes up and out, but Roode trips him up! Riddle crashes and burns on the apron and is in a daze as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Ziggler has Riddle in a sleeper. Roode distracts the ref and Ziggler pulls hair to keep Riddle from Orton! Tag and Ziggler throws hands. Roode bumps Riddle off buckles and he CHOPS! Roode whips corner to corner and then runs in, but Riddle falls and Roode dropkicks only buckles! Both men are down, fans fire up and Roode anchors Riddle, but he still gets the hot tag to Orton! The Viper rallies, dodges and POWERSLAMS! Orton puts Roode on the apron, drags him through the ropes, but Ziggler distracts Orton. Orton swipes on Ziggler, Roode HOTSHOTS Orton down! Roode drags Orton out to whip him hard into the timekeeper’s area!

A ring count starts, Ziggler tags in and he drags Orton back to the ring. Ziggler puts Orton in at 7 of 10, covers, TWO! Ziggler clamps onto Orton with a Crossface but Orton blocks the grip! Orton powers up, throws elbows but Ziggler CLUBS Orton down. Tag to Roode, the Dawgs mug Orton, then Roode clamps on a sleeper of his own! Orton endures, reaches out but Roode keeps him from Riddle. Orton keeps fighting towards his corner and fans rally up. Orton powers up to back suplex Roode down! Orton and Roode crawl for their corners, hot tags to Riddle and Ziggler! Riddle spins Ziggler and PELES but misses! FINAL FLASH for Ziggler! FINAL FLASH for Roode!

Riddle runs to forearm smash Ziggler then BROSPLODER! Then the same for Roode! BROTON for Ziggler, BROTON for Roode! Riddle keeps moving, PENALTY KICK for Ziggler! Cover, but Roode breaks it! Orton gets in, RKO for Roode! SUPERKICK for Orton! But Riddle clamps on, crucifix takedown, TWO! Ziggler rolls to a cradle, TWO! Ziggler wants a leg but Riddle drags him to a splayed cradle! RKBRO wins!!

Winner: RKBRO, by pinfall (still Raw Tag Team Champions)

It wasn’t an RKO but it was still outta nowhere! The #Splaydle wins it for the Viper and the Stallion, but who will they run into next on the road to Survivor Series?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Kevin Patrick asks about the Fatal 4 Way Ladder match just days after his grueling Hell in a Cell match. Does Rollins have a target on his back? “Of course I have a target on my back! I am without question the biggest threat to the WWE Champion. The champion knows it, and every single person in this Fatal 4 Way ladder match knows it!” Kevin said it but doe she understand what Rollins has been through? Rollins has suffered, and he shouldn’t have to deal with a Fatal 4 Way! But it doesn’t matter. Rollins will put that all behind him, win the match, and why is that, Mike? Because he is the Visionary! He is the revolutionary! He is THE Seth Freakin’ Rollins! And he is your next WWE Champion. Rollins manages to laugh now, but will someone else have the last laugh tonight?

Bobby Lashley has a message.

He tweeted out earlier today that when he returns to Raw, “There will be no one more focused, no one more vicious, no one who can TOUCH the All-Mighty!!! This is STILL. MY. SHOW!!!”

BREAKING NEWS!

Becky said Bianca would get her match, and now it’s happening next week! Will The Man still be the champ after one more round with The EST?

WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Ladder Match: Seth Rollins VS Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor VS Kevin Owens!

Each man said their part but now they have to prove themselves worthy! Will the Visionary, the King of Lucha Libre, the Prince or the Prizefighter literally get their hands on the shot at the top of the WWE?

Kevin, Rey and Finn make their entrances, but Raw goes to break. Raw returns as Rollins makes his entrance. He tempts fate by walking under a ladder before going into the ring. The bell rings, Rey KICKS Rollins in the leg and throws hands. Finn adds on, Rey KICKS Rollins gain, then Kevin wants a Stunner! Rollins bails out again but Kevin pursues to ROCK Rollins wand THROW him into barriers. Finn and Rey brawl, Finn KICKS but Rey KICKS back. Kevin SLAMS Rollins off barriers in the background as Rey sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement dropkick! Finn goes out to get a ladder while Rollins and Kevin are busy. But Rollins sees Finn and CLUBS him down!

Rollins bumps Finn off barriers, Rey drags Rollins up tot he apron, but Rollins HOTSHOTS Rey down! Kevin throws Rollins back into barriers! Kevin moves the ladder into the ring but Rollins gets another one. Rollins runs at Kevin but Kevin snatches that ladder away to RAM Rollins, RAM Finn, then RAM Rollins again! Rey PLANCHAS but into a LADDER SHOT! Kevin says this is HIS show but Big E is watching backstage. Kevin stands the ladder up but Finn CLUBS Kevin from behind. The ladder falls over, Finn drags Kevin up into a dragon sleeper. Kevin slips around and suplexes but Finn slips out. But Kevin kicks low to POWERBOMB Finn into the ladder!

Rollins leap sin, Kevin dodges and SUPERKICKS! Rollins lands on the ladder, and Kevin goes to a corner! Fans fire up as Kevin climbs, to SWANTON onto only ladder! Rollins avoided disaster and Kevin writhes as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Rollins RAMS Kevin in a corner with the ladder. Then he RAMS Rey down in the other! Finn staggers over but Rollins RAMS him down, too! Rollins aims at Kevin again and RAMS him down! Rollins holds up the ladder triumphantly and says, “I shouldn’t even be in this match!” Finn trips Rollins and DOUBLE STOMPS the ladder into him! Kevin gets Finn but Finn BACK DROPS Kevin onto the ladder and Rollins! Finn drags himself to the taller ladder, stands it up, climbs it, but Rey follows from the other side! Finn has his hands on the contract but Rey grabs his other hand! Rey throws haymakers, but Finn hits back!

Kevin tips the ladder and both men get HOTSHOTS! Kevin GERMAN SUPLEXES Finn then runs at Rey. Rey BOOTS Kevin, leaps, but into Kevin’s arms! Kevin swings Rey and AIR RAID CRASH! Kevin fires up, stands the ladder up and climbs! Fans fire up as he paws at the contract but Rollins drags him down! BUCKLE BOMB! But Kevin SUPERKICKS right back! Kevin steadies himself, goes to the ladder and climbs. Kevin gets his hand on the hook that holds the contract up, but Rey drags him back down! Kevin whips Rey into the ladder! Rey goes down, the ladder falls over, but Kevin goes out after Rey.

Kevin THROWS Rey into barriers! Then RAMS Finn down with another ladder! Kevin RAMS Rey, then goes around the way to RAM Rollins! Fans rally and duel as Kevin goes around the way. Kevin brings out a TABLE! Kevin sets it up but Rollins slithers into the ring. Finn gets Kevin with haymakers, Rollins DIVES out onto them both! Rollins gets back up but so does Rey. They both go into the ring and Rollins throws hands. Rollins whips but Rey wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Kevin gets back in to whip Rey, but Rey turns bomb into rana and puts Kevin on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Rollins trips him up! Fans boo Rollins but he gets in to whip. Rey reverses and sends Rollins out!

Kevin stands a ladder up on the outside, Rey 619’s the ladder into him! Rey then climbs up and uses the ladder to FULL METAL SEATED SENTON onto Kevin!! Fans go nuts as Rey puts the ladder on the apron. Rollins stops Rey, they fight over the ladder and then start brawling! Finn runs to FLY out and take them both down! The Prince is fired up as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once more and Kevin BOOTS Rollins from a corner. Rollins throws hands, Kevin hits back and fires off forearms! Rollins kicks low to hit a DDT! But Rey is up on the ladder! Rey reaches but Rollins tips the ladder! Rey gets another hotshot! Rollins staggers, folds the ladder up and tells everyone to shut up. Rollins props the ladder up in the corner, kicks Rey out of the ring, then digs his boot into Kevin. Rollins goes after Finn and whips him corner to corner into the ladder! Fans boo but Rollins runs into a SLINGBLADE! Kevin SUPERKICKS Finn, but Finn gets up to SHOTGUN Rollins! Kevin SUPERKICKS again, Finn PELES! Rey leaps in, SEATED SENTON!

Rey keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl but Kevin blocks to a FACEBUSTER! All four men are down and fans are loving this! Rollins throws a fit ringside as he tosses a small ladder aside to get another tall one! This might be the biggest ladder of them all! Finn CLUBS Rollins and throws him into the timekeeper’s area! Finn makes a bridge out of the tall ladder but Rollins comes back to scoop! Finn slips off to SLINGBLADE Rollins down! Finn gets in to stop Rey at the top of the ladder! Finn throws hands, grabs at the contract himself now, but Kevin drags him down! STUNNER!! Kevin hurries and gets Rey for an Electric Chair. But Rey headscissors Kevin out!

Rey aims at the apron, leaps, but Kevin catches him to POWERBOMB him through the table!! Kevin goes back into the ring, climbs up the ladder, he has the hook! But Rollins grabs at Kevin’s foot to drag him down again! Rollins brings Kevin around but Kevin fights the bomb to get Rollins up! Rollins fights free of the bomb to back drop Kevin out onto the ladder bridge!! Kevin goes crashing, but Finn is climbing! Finn’s bad leg slows him down and Rollins drags him down to CURB STOMP! Rollins hurries up the ladder while everyone is down! Rollins unhooks the contract and is the winner!!

Winner: Seth Rollins (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE World Championship)

After going through hell and losing to the Rated R Superstar, Rollins is the one with his shot at the title! And Big E walks out on stage to stare down his next challenger. Big E applauds, Rollins laughs. “All’s fair in love and war.” Rollins says fair is fair and offers a handshake. Big E doesn’t take it so Rollins walks past him. Rollins says his time is coming, but will he be proven wrong in a big way?

Backstage interview with Rollins.

He won a title opportunity on his first night back. “Do you know why I call this show Monday Night Rollins? Because this is MY show! And I’m back, baby, and better than ever!” And more importantly, he is the next WWE Champion, because he is the Visionary, the revolutionary, Seth Freakin’ Rollins!

My Thoughts:

So, a pretty good Raw. Certainly better than the post PPV SmackDown. But at the same time, too many short matches to fill between the opener and the last hour. Couldn’t we have gotten a little bit more out of either woman’s match? This was the umpteenth time Liv and Mella had a match, why can’t they get past three paragraphs? Why couldn’t they be separated by the draft and instead of a team like Shotzi Blackheart & Tegan Nox? I did like Liv mentioned the engagement of Corey Graves and Carmella, but if their feud is to matter, the matches need to be longer than what we’ve gotten. Same goes for Zelina and Piper Niven. I get Zelina cheated to win, but why not give us a match that’s better than their Crown Jewel match before that?

Becky and Bianca had good promo stuff tonight, and they’re getting one more title match next week, but hopefully this is to finish things off and move on. Of course, I have no idea who Becky would move on to next. Zelina is Heel, though I’m sure Becky could find a way to still feud with her, and there’s still the entire WWE Women’s Tag Division debacle where Vince used the Draft to break up all the other teams. It’s a damn train wreck unless they fast track Tegan Nox or Mia Yim. Again I say, Vince is dragging the WWE Women’s Division to before the (R)Evolution. I don’t even know what could force Vince’s hand to doing things better at this point.

Priest VS T-Bar was alright, because at least T-Bar isn’t being forgotten without Mace around. I would’ve liked a better match, but no, Vince is making Priest into the kind of guy with a berserker rage, using his name “Damian Priest” to denote the conflict of good and evil within him. He was doing just fine as The Archer of Infamy but Vince is going to do what Vince is gonna do. I hope Priest VS Keith happens, though. Keith looked great squashing Alexander, Benjamin is obviously next, maybe Lashley is after that so Lashley VS Keith can happen at some point. Dom VS Theory as a short match is alright, it built off the main story of the night, and it’s clearly Theory’s thing to go against the veterans and legends and somehow come out the winner.

We got a great Triple Threat Tag contender’s match, but I was surprised to see Omos interfere at all when it wasn’t going to get him and Styles the title match tonight. Dawgs winning is fine, it was clear RKBRO was going to retain tonight and the Dawgs take all sorts of losses to the bigger names. I would’ve loved if it was Otis & Gable who won tonight, that makes for a unique match-up with RKBRO, but maybe that’ll be part of the Survivor Series build. And the world title story was great stuff. Big E has plenty of contenders, so it was great to see them all interact. The Fatal 4 Way Ladder match was awesome stuff, I just wish there were less commercials, or they used picture in picture.

Rollins winning was of course the plan, Big E is Face and Rollins was the only Heel in that ladder match. Big E VS Rollins will be a lot of fun, both in the build and the match, but I would think Big E retains. Rey will fall back to a story with Theory, Balor could also get in on the US Championship, Kevin… I’m not sure. There’s still talk of Kevin leaving WWE or he could find someone to get along with and go for the tag titles, but I wish it was still Sami Zayn.

My Score: 8.3/10