Tonight's show will feature the aftermath of the Payback PPV. Expect to see Stephanie McMahon's response to Brie Bella quitting, John Cena gloating over his victory against Bray Wyatt, and The Shield arriving in triumph after vanquishing Evolution in a 3-0 6 man elimination match.
The show begins with a recap of the elimination match between The Shield and Evolution.
Evolution's music hits and Triple H, Orton, and Batista make their way to the ring.Triple H has a huge shiner on his left eye. Triple H gets on the mic and says that their rivalry with the Shield isn't over, and it won't be over until the The Shield exists no more. He tells Batista that he has a larger plan. Batista says he came back and did what he was supposed to do by winning the Royal Rumble, but never got his 1 on 1 title shot, and he wants it tonight. Triple H reminds him that Daniel Bryan is injured, and even if he got his shot, he'd probably blow it. Triple H says that he won't give Batista anything until The Shield is defeated. Batista says he understands, and tells Triple H that he quits. Batista then walks out of the ring and makes his exit.
*Commercial Break*
Batista is interviewed backstage and airs his frustration with not being given what he was promised by Triple H.
MATCH: Sheamus and RVD vs. Cesaro and Bad News Barrett
The match begins with Cesaro driving Sheamus to the corner. Sheamus fights out with a boot and hits a battering ram from the top rope for a 2 count. Cesaro fights back with a European uppercut and a gutwrench suplex. Sheamus comes out of the corner with a clothesline. Sheamus goes for the ten beats of the Bodhran but Cesaro fights out. He tags in Barrett. Barrett goes for a hip toss but Sheamus counters with a clothesline. RVD is tagged in and delivers several kicks. He hits a heel kick for the 2 count. RVD is sent to the corner and tries to counter with an elbow off the ropes but Barrett catches him with a big hit to the face.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Barrett in control of RBD. Barrett hits a big boot for the 2 count and tags in Cesari, Cesari send RVD to the corner and hits an uppercut for a 2 count. He applies a headlock on the mat. RVD fights out but Cesaro hits another gut wrench suplex. Barrett is tagged in and hits a swinging neckbreaker for a 2 count. Barrett hits an elbow off the middle rope for a 2 count. Barrett applies a sleeper hold. RVD fights out but is sent outside the ring with an elbow to the face. Cesaro is tagged in and throws RVD into the barricade. He rolls RVD into the ring for a 3 count. Cesaro drives RVD into the corner an stomps RVD. RVD fights back with a leg scissors for a 2 count. Cesaro fights back for a 2 count of his own. Cesaro applies the sleeper hold. RVD tries to fight out but is floored by Cesaro. Cesaro knocks Sheamus off the Apron. RVD takes Cesaro to the mat. Sheamus and Barrett are tagged in. Sheamus gains the advantage and delivers alms to both Barrett and Cesaro. Shemaus goes to Brogue Kick Cesaro, but Cesaro rolls out of the ring into the embrace of Paul Heyman. Barrett hits the Winds of Change for a 2 cunt. Cesaro leaves the ring area and Barrett is distracted. RVD is tagged in and Sheamus hits the brogue kick. RVD hits the frogsplash for the 3 count.
*Commercial Break*
Damien Sandow comes to the ring dressed up as Lance Stephenson. He gets on the mic and says that Lebron James is the best player in the world, and the Pacers are the most losing team in NBA history. Sandow then shows off his "basketball skills" on a hoop set up in the ring. Big Show's music hits and he comes to the ring. Sandow talks some smack and challenges Big Show to a 1 on 1. Big Show throws the ball at Sandow and delivers the KO punch.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH; Bo Dallas vs. Kofi Kingston
Bo gets on the mic and says everyone on the Pacers Bolieved.
The match begins with Dallas applying a headlock. Kingston gets hit with a shoulder tackle and Dallas celebrates the move o=utsdie the ring. Kingston gets behind dallas and snds him off the ropes. Kingston hits an elbow and dropkicks Dallas to the outside. Dallas gets back in and Shakes Dallas' hands. Dallas tries to cheap shot Kingston but meets a kick. Dallas fights back with a swinging neckbreaker followed by a back body drop. He delivers several knees to Kingston's face. Kingston fights out of a headlock and meets a missile dropkick from Kingston. Kingston hits a flying forearm in the corner for the 2 count. Kingston hits a monkey flip followed by a crossbody for a 2 count. Dallas eats a boot to the face. Kingston goes for another monkey flip. Dallas blocks it and drives Kingston into the top turnbuckle. Dallas hits the Running BoDog for the 3 count.
WINNER: Bo Dallas via Pinfall
Dallas celebrates his win with a victory lap around the ring.
A replay of Batista quitting earlier in the night airs.
Renee Young tries to get an interview with Triple H. Instead, Stephanie McMahon comes out and tells her she is about to make an announcement involving the WWE Heavyweight Championship.
*Commercial Break*
Stephanie McMahon comes out and gets on the mic. She says that Daniel Bryan showed his true colors by refusing to surrender the belts. She then focuses her ire on Brie Bella and says she should have been fired 3 weeks ago when she pushed Stephanie. She then announces that if Daniel Bryan is able to fight, he will fight Kane and defend his title. If not, then the Money in the Bank match will be for the vacated title. Stephanie begins to say she doesn't understand why people like Bryan when she is interrupted by Cena's music.
Cena tries to talk but the crowd gets rowdy. Cena embraces the mixed reaction. He says that the situation with the Heavyweight Championship has gone too far. He says that he knows what it is to be a champion. He says that the championship is bigger than any one person, including a spoiled brat named Stephanie. Cena then defends Daniel Bryan's wrestling credentials and says he proves he deserves the championship every time he steps in the ring. He then recounts all the times Bryan has been screwed over for the title. McMahon then says that Daniel Bryan simply isn't physically able to defend the title and should be stripped of the belt. Cena makes a joke about Stephanie's breast implants and goes on to tell her she sucks. Stephanie then schedules a match between Cena and Kane for tonight.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Kane vs. John Cena
The show returns with Kane in control of Cena. Cena tries to fight back but gets floored with a boot for the 2 count. Kane drives Cena to the corner and stomps him. Cena fights back but meets a side slam for another 2 count. The 2 exchange blows in the middle of the ring. Kane goes for the chokeslam, but Cena counters and hits the five knuckle shuffle. Kane fights back and drives Cena to the corner. He pounds on Cena and refuses to stop at the ref's 5 count. Kane gets disqualified.
WINNER: John Cena via Disqualification
Kane drags Cena outside the ring and throws him into the steps. He goes for a tombstone on the steps but Cena fights out and drives Kane into the ringpost. Cena picks up the stpes and throws them at Kane. Several refs come out and break it up.
Randy Orton is interviewed backstage and says he is still the face of the WWE. He then challenges Roman Reigns to a match tonight.
*Commercial Break*
3MB comes to the ring and Hornswoggle is wearing an afro wig.
MATCH: Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre vs. Los Matadores
McIntyre and Diego start things out. Diego is sent to the mat and Slater is tagged in. Diego is sent off the ropes and delivers a big heel kick. Hornswoggle gets on the apron and El Torito grabs his wig off. Hornswoggle runs away. Slater is distracted and gets rolled up for the 3 count.
WINNER: Los Matadores via Pinfsll
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Nikki Bella vs. Alicia Fox and Aksana
The match begins with Aksana Nikki squaring off. Bella hits a leg sweep but gets knockd to the mat. Aksana tags in Fox. Nikki fights out of the corner and rolls up Fox. Aksana breaks up the count. Fox hits a scissor kick for the 3 count.
WINNER: Alicia Fox and Aksana via Pinfall
After the match Fox dumps Nikki out of the ring and gloats around the ring. She continues the assault outside the ring until they are broken up by a ref.
The Wyatt's intro plays and Luke Harper cuts a promo. He says that they must continue the cause in Bray Wyatt's absence]. He says the Uso's will pay for their misdeeds.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Zeb Colter talking about how Adam Rose needs to be deported along with the Exotic Express. Adam Rose comes to the ring with The Exotic Express.
Match: Adam Rose vs. Jack Swagger
The match begins with Swagger driving Rose to the corner. ROse slips out and slaps Swagger in the bum. Swagger leaps over Swagger as he comes of the ropes and hits an elbow. Swagger fights back and hits a big boot. He drives Rose to the corner and follows up with a belly to belly. Swagger charges at rose in the corner but he moves at the last minute and hits a knee. Rose gains the momentum and hits a swinging neckbreaker. He follows up with a bronco buster and hits his finisher for a 3 count.
WINNER: Adam Rose via Pinfall
The Usos are interviewed and say that they might have been bruised up at Payback but they still had fun. They said tonight they will be like cornered pitbulls against the Wyatt's tonight.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Harper and Rowan vs. The Usos
The match begins with Rowan and Jimmy locking up. Rowan drives Jimmy to the corner and goes to work on his taped ribs. Jimmy fights back but gets sent to the mat. He is driven to the corner and Harper is tagged in. Uso is sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a crossbody. Jay is tagged in and splashes Harper in the corner. Jey is sent off the ropes and meets a dropkick from Harper. Rowan is tagged in and continues the assault. Jey is sent to the mat and Rowan wrenches Jey's neck. Jey fights out and tries to slam Rowan, but Rowan falls on Jey for the 2 count. Harper is tagged in and sends Jey to the mat. Rowan is tagged back in and elbows Jey's leg. Rowan goes for the elbow drop again but misses. He quickly regains the advantage but Jey escapes and tags in Jimmy. Jimmy goes for a sunset flip but Rowan stays on his feet. Rowan goes for the leg drop but Jimmy moves. Rowan is knocked off his feet for a 2 count. Rowan gets to his feet and gets dropkicked outside the ring. Harper tries to interfere but he too is sent outside the ring.
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Harper in control of Jimmy Uso outside the ring. Back in the ring Harper hits several elbow drops for a 2 count. Uso is sent to the corner and eats an uppercut. Rowan is tagged in and stomps Us on the mat. Jey is knocked off the apron. Jimmy tries to fight back but is quickly stopped and sent to the corner. Rowan drapes Jimmy across the top turnbuckle and pounds him across the chest. Jimmy hangs completely vertical. Rowan tries to tackle Jimmy is the corner. Jimmy moves and ROwan hits the ringpost. Jimmy hits an attack off the top rope. Jey and Harper are tagged in. Jey hits a flying right hand and kicks Harper to the mat. Jey hits the Stink Face for a 2 count. Harper fights back and hits a 2 count for a 2 count. Jey hits a missile dropkick followed by a Samoan drop. Jey goes to the top rope and hits a crossbody on ROwan outside the ring. Harper hits a suicide dive on Jey. Jimmy dives over the top rope onto Harper. Jey goes for the big splash but Harper gets his knees up. Harper goes for the spinning clothesline but gets caught with a kick to the jaw for a close 2 count. Harper is sent outside but manages to get the tag on Rowan. Rowan hits a huge slam on Uso for the 3 count.
WINNERS: Harper and Rowan via Pinfall
*Commercial Break*
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
MATCH: Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler
Del Rio drives Ziggler to the corner and delivers severak right hands. Ziggler rolls up Del Rio for a 1 count. Ziggler slams Del Rio for a 2 count. Ziggler delivers the ten elbows for another 1 count. Del Rio fights back and hits an enziguri in the corner for a 2 count. Del Rio delivers several right hands for a 2 count. Del Rio applies an armbar. Ziggler tries to fight out but gets thrown to the mat. Del Rio jumps on Ziggler's neck and chokes him. Del Rio hits a back suplex for a 2 count. Ziggler fights back, counters a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and hits a dropkick. Ziggler hits a crossbody followed by a splash in the corner. Del Rio fights back but Ziggler hits a famouser for a 2 count. Del Rio sends Ziggler off the ropes and hits the back breaker for a 2 count. Del Rio goes to the top rope but Ziggler hits a face buster off the top. Ziggler goes for the Zig-Zag but Del Rio counters. Del Rio goes for a sidekick but Ziggler ducks it. Ziggler goes for a DDT but Del Rio counters with a cross armbreaker for the submission.
WINNER: Alberto Del Rio via Pinfall
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Rybaxel vs. Goldust and Sin Cara
Goldust and Axel start things off. Goldust hits an inverted atomic drop. Axel fights back and tags in Ryback. GOldust fights back and tags in Sin Cara, Sin Cara hits a dropkick formthe top for a 1 count. Goldust is tagged back in tand they double team Ryback for a 1 count, Goldust is driven to the corner. Ryback ducks a clothesline and sends Goldust out of the ring. Axel is tagged in and drives Goldust into barricade and throws him back in the ring for a 2 count. Ryback is tagged in. They double team Goldust and Axel is tagged back in. They double suplex Goldust for a 2 count. Goldust fights back but meets a dropkick from Axel. GOldust is driven to the corner. Axel hits a double axehandle from the middle rope and tags in Ryback. Ryback goes for a double axe handle but Goldust gets his knees up and tags in Sin Cara. Sin Cara hits a crossbody and a springboard elbow for a 2 count. Ryback breaks up the count but is sent outside by Goldust. Sin Cara goes for a front flip off the top but misses. Axel hits an inverted DDT for the 3 count.
WINNER: Rybaxel via Pinfall
*Commercial Break*
The show returns with Rusev being honored in a ceremony from the Russian Federation. Lana comes out and talks trash on the USA.
Rusev comes to the ring waving the Russian flag. There are several guys in the ring who are supposed to be Russians. Rusev takes his place atop am Olympics style podium set up in the ring. One of the Russian guys present a gold star medal to Rusev. The Russian National Anthem plays.
*Commercial Break*
The Shield comes out and Ambrose gets on the mic and talks about how they dominated Evolution last night. Rollins gets on and says The Shield adapted and Evolution perished. He says they lost because they were not a single unit, instead they were strangers standing across the ring. Reigns says that Evolution were not brothers. He then holds his hand open, saying this is Evolution, and then forms a fist and says, This is the Shield and calls Randy Orton out to the ring.
Triple H and Randy Orton come to the ring. Triple H is holding the sledgehammer. Rollins gets a chair. Triple H says that last night was Plan A, but there is always a Plan B. The Shield stands in the ring, ready for an attack. Rollins takes the chair and nails Roman Reigns with it. Ambrose is shocked but soon realizes what is happening. Rollins turns on Ambrose and beats both his former partners. Rollins then hands the chair to Orton and he proceeds to beat Reigns and Ambrose with it.
REVIEW
This episode was a 50/50, with half the show being awesome and the other half being forgettable, if not unwatchable. Before I get to the ending, which I had some major qualms with, let me address what I liked about this episiode.
First off, Batista quitting was a great way to send him off and seemed very real. Rumors have been swirling online for months now about how he was unhappy with his treatment in the WWE, which all could have been a work leading up to this point. There was very good blurring of lines between kayfabe and reality with this one and I hope to see more stories like this as the so called "Reality Era" unfolds.
Second, John Cena was great on the mic tonight and gave Stephanie the verbal smackdown which everyone secretly wanted. While I was disappointed that "Super Cena" won last night at Payback, he put his righteousness to good use tonight in standing up for Daniel Bryan. While I am pretty indifferent towards Cena as a wrestler, I do believe he is one of the best ever on the mic and tonight he proved why.
Third, Harper and Rowan's victory over the Usos was awesome and necessary. It looks like Bray Wyatt's henchman are going to win the Tag Team titles in the near future. This only makes sense as they are easily the most dominate tag-team in the company, if not in the entire sport. I hope this means they plan on putting a belt around Wyatt's waist as well. The Intercontinental Title is slowly becoming relevant again and an epic match between Wyatt and Barrett, with Wyatt coming out on top, would quickly reestablish the belt to some of its former glory.
But I digress. The highlight of the show was definitely the ending. While the Shield were cutting their promo, I knew one of them was going to turn. Personally, I thought it was going to be Reigns, and perhaps that is what creative wanted us to assume. Admittedly, I was shocked that it was Rollins, but it makes sense when you think about how much they played up the fact that he was "the glue that held The Shield together". However, I think the Shield's breakup was premature and ill timed. They are the the most popular team in the company right now and breaking them up while they are this red hot doesn't make sense to me. Furthermore, I am disappointed they didn't have a final balls-to-the-wall feud with The Wyatt Family before they disbanded. Sure, they had some great matches in the past with The Wyatts, but I would have liked to see one final definitive showdown before The Shield weas no more, especially since both teams are so over right now.
I am, however, excited to see how this storyline plays out and if The Shield will recruit a replacement for Rollins or simply disband altogether. There are several people in NXT who can fill Rollins place, including NXT Champion Adrian Neville. Even Sami Zayn (while unlikely) can fill the "high flyer" void left by the betrayal of Rollins. WWE did take the former El Generico on world tour with them last month, and he has been appearing in dark matches across the country, so it is very likely he is going to be making his main roster debut in the near future. This is all speculation, of course, and we will have to see how things unfold. But for now we know this, the future of WWE was shaken tonight, and the fall of The Shield is sure to send shockwaves throughout the entire company.
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