Event: WWE Monday Night RAW
Airdate: Monday, February 16th, 2015 (USA Network)
Location: The Amway Center in Orlando, FL
Results by Matt Boone
“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…”
John Cena Kicks Off RAW
This week’s show opens with a shot of the jam-packed, sold out Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, followed by John Cena’s theme song hitting. The big mixed-bag reaction happens as Cena makes his way out to the stage to kick off this week’s program.
Cena addresses the packed house in Orlando and then shows footage of his brawl with Rusev on last week’s show. He talks about Rusev being a super athlete and undefeated, but promises to beat him at Fastlane this Sunday in Memphis. He says he’s fighting most importantly this Sunday to win the United States Championship.
With that being said, Rusev’s theme hits. Out comes The Bulgarian Brute accompanied by the Ravishing Russian Lana. They stand at the top of the stage and Lana speaks.
Rusev and Lana taunt Cena, resulting in Cena threatening him not to make one more move or he’s gonna come up there and kick his ass. Rusev does the “You Can’t See Me” gesture, so Cena takes his shirt off and runs up the ramp. Rusev takes his gear off and awaits him. Cena tackles Rusev. He smashes his head into the LED board at the top of the stage — twice. He leans over him and punches him ten times and stands over him shouting, “Any man can be beat!” We head to commercial break.
Dean Ambrose’s “Weekend Update” Skit
We return and the announcers bring up the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. They show Dean Ambrose doing a Weekend Update type of segment sitting at a desk. Ambrose talks about facing Bad News Barrett for the I-C title at this Sunday’s PPV.
Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose
From there, we head to the ring, where we see Luke Harper standing. Ambrose’s music hits and out he comes with the contract for the match with Barrett at Fastlane. He sets the contract on the announce table, enters the ring and the bell sounds to make this one official.
Ambrose dominates the action early on as the announcers talk about the I-C title match against Barrett this Sunday. Harper knocks Ambrose out of the ring and floors him with a big boot as we head to a mid-match commercial.
When we return from the break, Harper is still in complete control of the offense of the match, which is now back inside the ring. Ambrose fights back, hits his Dirty Deeds and pins him 1-2-3.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Backstage: Triple H, Big Show & Kane
We shoot backstage where we see Big Show, Kane and Triple H. Big Show and Kane argue until HHH tells them to shut up and reminds them that they represent The Authority. Big Show makes a joke about HHH looking bad due to Sting last week. HHH says he’ll handle Sting tonight.
Backstage: Bray Wyatt
From there, we go to another cryptic Bray Wyatt promo full of Undertaker-type references.
Backstage: Dust Brothers & Dusty Rhodes
We see Goldust and Stardust together when in walks Dusty Rhodes. Stardust blows his stardust and Dusty says “Damnit Cody, that’s what I’m talking about.” He tells him he’s gonna get through to him tonight. Goldust asks if Stardust can do this. Stardust offers his hand. Goldust shakes it. Dusty tells them to go out there and show everyone what the Rhodes family is all about. We head to a commercial.
The New Day vs. Goldust & Stardust
When we return from the break, we see The New Day in the ring. Out next comes the team of Goldust and Stardust. Representing The New Day in this one will be Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. We see Dusty looking on from a monitor backstage.
The announcers hard-sell the recent issues between Gold and Stardust during the match. In the end, Stardust misses a big kick. Goldust tries to keep him on balance, but out of nowhere, Kingston hits a big kick on Goldust and pins him. The New Day leaves.
Stardust gets in the rnig and looks at Goldust laying on his back. The New Day’s music cuts off. Stardust helps Goldust up and then hits his finisher on him. The crowd boo’s as Stardust stares him down as he leaves the ringside area.
Winners: The New Day
Backstage: Roman Reigns Interview
Backstage, Roman Reigns is interviewed. He talks about having to go through 29 men, then the “Yes! Movement,” and his reward in the end is he gets to face “The Beast.” He says that says it all. Reigns is asked about being manipulated by The Authority. Reigns says he wasn’t manipulated by them, they tried to get Seth Rollins in the mix and failed. Reigns won’t bring himself to completely trash Daniel Bryan, but he does say he didn’t take being eliminated from the Rumble like a man. He says his only way to WrestleMania now is through him, and he’s not gonna let it happen. He says “believe that Daniel” and walks off.
Backstage: Dusty Rhodes & Stardust
Via the WWE App, we are shown a backstage segment from the commercial break. Dusty Rhodes grabs Stardust from behind and asks “Cody” what he did to his brother. Stardust tells Dusty that Cody is dead. He says he had to live up to the weight of his polka-dotted freak of a father and his embarassment of a brother and Cody died. He says Cody is dead and as far as he’s concerned, so is Dusty. He walks off as Dusty looks stunned.
Roman Reigns vs. Kane
From there, Daniel Bryan’s music hits and he “Yes’s!” his way down to the ring as the jam-packed Orlando crowd follows suit. Roman Reigns vs. Kane is up next. Daniel Bryan will be at ringside. We head to commercial.
When we return from the break, we see some of the recent history between Bryan and Reigns. From there, Reigns’ theme hits and he makes his way to the ring through the crowd. Bryan has joined the gang on commentary for this one. Finally, Kane makes his way down to the ring.
On commentary, the announcers ignore a lot of the action as they talk to Bryan about Reigns. Bryan says he owes Reigns for spearing him last week. He takes exception to him challenging his manhood earlier tonight. Out of nowhere, Bryan stands up and leads the fans in a “Yes!” chant. This distracts Reigns, which allows Kane to take over control of the match.
The finish sees Kane take the top of the announce table on the floor. He goes to chokeslam Reigns through it but Reigns reverses and spears Kane. The ref’s count gets to nine, Reigns rolls in, the ref counts ten and Reigns wins by count out. After the match, Bryan leads the fans in a “Yes!” chant while standing on the announce table as Reigns watches on. Reigns sits on the middle rope and waives at Bryan, inviting him into the ring.
Bryan gets off the announce table and leads the fans in a “Yes!” chant all around the outside of the ring on the floor. Reigns stares him down as he makes his rounds outside the ring.
Winner via Count Out: Roman Reigns
Summer Rae vs. Paige
We return from the commercial to see Summer Rae is making her entrance. Paige’s music hits but she doesn’t come out and it stops. The music hits again and out she comes dressed a colorful tutu and stockings, attire she normally wouldn’t wear. Paige screams that this is her house and unloads on Summer.
Paige throws Summer into the corner for back elbows to the head. Paige poses for a big pop and takes Summer to the apron for knees to the head. Paige screams and gets another pop. Paige brings it back in but Summer rolls her up out of nowhere. She gets a 1 count but Summer comes right back and nails a kick for a 2 count. Summer with a submission now. Paige comes back with several clotheslines and a dropkick. Paige drops Summer with another kick. Paige applies the PTO for the win. We head to a commercial.
Winner: Paige
Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler
We’re back from the break and we see Seth Rollins with Mercury and Noble heading to the ring. Rollins says it’s President’s Day, a day where we honor the past. He says that’s a waste of time when the future is standing right in front of you. Rollins says the word future is starting to become passé because right now, he’s the best performer in the entire world. He says he’s the most valuable asset in WWE and is untouchable right now. Rollins says nobody can stop him and he could even become President if he wanted. Rollins says maybe he could take over as host of The Daily Show and make the show actually watchable. Rollins says what he really wants to do is cash in and become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He should be main eventing WrestleMania 31 but he’s forced to deal with people that are so far beneath him. People like Erick Rowan, people like Ryback and especially people like Dolph Ziggler. Fans cheer at Ziggler’s name. The music interrupts and out comes Ziggler with a mic. Ziggler asks why Rollins is so mad, maybe he had a Valentine’s Day because Mercury and Noble gave him the wrong kind of chocolates.
Ziggler goes on and Rollins says the only thing funny about Ziggler is the joke he calls a career. Rollins says Ziggler is nothing compared to him. Ziggler says he’s right… he’s nothing compared to Rollins, especially when it comes to being a whiny, protected sell-out douche. Ziggler says he’s the guy that raises the bar every time he steps in the ring. Ziggler goes on and says he’s about to do what he does best – show off. They go to take their shirts off but Ziggler attacks Rollins out of nowhere. The bell hasn’t rang yet. Rollins retreats to the floor to regroup as we go to commercial. Back from the break and Rollins has Ziggler down in a headlock. During the break, Rollins took control with an assist from The Stooges. Rollins tosses Ziggler out of the ring now. The Stooges go over to him but the referee ejects them and they go to the back. Rollins comes out and throws Ziggler into the barrier. Rollins tells The Stooges it’s OK as fans sing “goodbye” to them. Rollins brings Ziggler back in but Ziggler rolls him up for a 2 count. Rollins runs over Ziggler with a big boot and stomps on him. Ziggler starts a comeback. Rollins ends up running shoulder first into the ring post. Ziggler get to his feet and splashes Rollins. Ziggler with a neckbreaker and a big elbow for 2.
More back and forth. Ziggler with a big DDT for a close 2 count. Rollins comes back and drops Ziggler for a 2 count. Rollins mounts Ziggler with punches. Rollins stomps away now. Rollins goes to the top but Ziggler cuts him off. Rollins sends Ziggler to the mat but lands on his feet. Rollins blocks the Fame-asser and hits a kick. Ziggler blocks the Curb Stomp, nails a superkick and hits the Zig Zag for a pin but The Stooges run in and break it up for the disqualification.
After the bell, they continue beating on Ziggler but Ryback and Erick Rowan run down to make the save. The Stooges throw Rollins out of the ring to safety. Rowan sends Mercury to the floor. Ryback powerbombs Noble and gets a “feed me more” chant going. Ziggler’s music hits as he celebrates with Ryback and Rowan. We see Triple H backstage watching on a monitor. Back to commercial.
Winner via Disqualification: Dolph Ziggler
In-Ring Segment: Triple H & Ric Flair
Triple H laughs at people thinking he’s now afraid of Sting. He says it takes a lot more than mind games to get under his skin. Triple H says at Fastlane, WCW will stand in the ring with WWE. He says Sting will do the unthinkable – go face to face, eye to eye with The Game, not the COO… Ric Flair’s music hits and out he comes to a pop. Flair hits the ring and they show respect. Flair says he’s here because he loves and respects Triple H. Flair says besides, Triple H can’t get mad at him because they’re in Orlando where Triple H inducted him into the Hall of Fame at. Triple H says if Flair is here to sing the praises of Sting, save his breath.
Triple H says he already knows how good Sting is. Flair tells Triple H not to take Sting lightly. Flair says like Vince McMahon used to tell him, don’t put yourself in a position to fail. Triple H says he’s a student of the game, he knows how good Sting is and brings up the legendary Sting vs. Flair Clash of the Champions match. Triple H says Sting was and is WCW. Triple H says when all the other rats were jumping ship, Sting stayed with WCW until it sank and he respects that. Triple H says if Sting would have came to WWE, it would have been his personal mission to run Sting out of the company because Sting’s legacy was built on Flair’s reputation. Triple H says that always pissed him off and he would have kicked Sting’s ass on principle alone. Flair says Triple H isn’t thinking like The Cerebral Assassin. Triple H says that was then and now, Sting wants to come make it personal with him. He says Sting wants to take away what Triple H has – WWE. Triple H says Sting is WCW but he, Triple H, is WWE. Flair tells him to take a deep breath. He says Sting is already getting to Triple H.
Flair says when people ask him who’s the best wrestler alive, he tells them Triple H, if he’s wrestling. Some fans boo this. Flair says Triple H is an executive now, he’s not wrestling full time. He wants Triple H to be the best, to be The Game. He doesn’t want Sting to sneak up on Triple H. Triple H says he respects that. Triple H says he knows Flair has been in the ring with Sting many times and he knows that he is no Ric Flair but when it comes to kicking Sting’s ass, Flair is no Triple H. Flair says when he tunes into Fastlane on Sunday, he doesn’t want to see Triple H sitting on his ass again like he was last Monday. Flair asks if that’s fair enough and Triple H shoves him to the mat. Fans boo. Triple H looks down at Flair and says Flair knows that nothing outside of Triple H’s wife and kids is more important to him than WWE. Triple H say she doesn’t care who stands between him and WWE, even if it’s Flair, he’s kicking their ass. Triple H said if Sting goes on his own or if he beats it out of him, Sting will never show his face again after Fastlane.
Triple H drops the mic and fans boo as he walks off to the back. Flair gets to his feet and we get “wooo!” chants before his music hits. Flair finally leaves under his own power to a big pop.
Darren Young and Local Wrestler vs. The Ascension
We’re back from the commercial and we see Darren Young is waiting in the ring with a local wrestler. The Ascension interrupts their introduction and out they come. Konnor and Viktor beat their opponents down before the bell even rings. They destroy Young and his partner. Titus O’Neil runs down and fights The Ascension off but they look to turn it back around. Young gets back up and helps Titus. The Prime Time Players clear the ring and have reunited. Their old theme music hits as The Ascension talks trash from the floor.
The Miz is backstage talking to Bad News Barrett. He asks Barrett to knock Damien Sandow down a few pegs tonight and show him some tough love. In return, Miz will handle Dean Ambrose. Barrett tells Miz to have his people call Barrett’s people and he will see him out there. We go to commercial.
Damien Sandow vs. Bad News Barrett
Back from the break and out comes Damien Sandow with The Miz. WWE Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett is out next for a non-title match. The Miz takes a seat at ringside and watches.
Barrett unloads on Sandow to start. The Miz rings a bell and calls Sandow to come get something off his shoe. Sandow does as told and gets decked by Barrett as he tries to come back in the ring. Barrett knocks Sandow back to the floor and throws him into the apron. Barrett rolls Sandow back in for a 2 count. Sandow comes back and hits The Miz’s neckbreaker backbreaker combo. Sandow goes for the Skull Crushing Finale and Miz rings his bell again. He’s upset and has a spot in his sunglasses. He tells Sandow to come fix it or get fired. Miz changes his mind and Sandow turns around to go back in the ring but gets hit with a Bullhammer elbow for the win.
After the match, Dean Ambrose runs in and attacks Barrett. Ambrose sends Barrett into the ring post. Ambrose zip ties Barrett’s hands around the ring post. Ambrose tells Barrett he’s going to sign the contract or else. Barrett yells for someone to get Ambrose off him. Ambrose has control of Barrett’s hand and is signing the contract with a pen. Barrett says this isn’t legal. Ambrose gets the contract signed and Barrett says that’s not his signature. Ambrose’s music hits and he celebrate.
Winner: Bad News Barrett
Jimmy Uso & Naomi vs. Tyson Kidd & Natalya
Back from the break and out comes Naomi with WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos. Tyson Kidd and Natalya are out next with Cesaro. Kidd and Cesaro vs. The Usos is announced for Fastlane. Kidd and Uso start off. Kidd goes right to the floor and tags in Natalya so Naomi comes in. They go at it.
Back and forth on the mat between the two Divas. Uso tags in but Kidd isn’t happy about having to come in. Kidd looks to take control but he slaps Uso and it doesn’t phase him. Kidd quickly tags Natalya in. Naomi comes in and they go at it to a big pop. Natalya slams Naomi on her bottom, kicks her in the back of the head and hit a dropkick for 2. Natalya asks Kidd if he wants in but he hesitates and tells her to handle it. Natalya turns around and goes for the Sharpshooter but Naomi counter with a roll up. They trade several pin attempts and Naomi gets the win.
Winners: Jimmy Uso & Naomi
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show
Roman Reigns makes his way through the crowd to join the announcers for tonight’s main event. Back to commercial. Back from the break and Reigns is not on commentary, he’s just watching from ringside. Big Show and Daniel Bryan are out and as expected, Bryan gets a big pop. Show takes control and takes Bryan to the corner for big chops. Bryan fights back with kicks. He chops Show’s knee twice and goes to kick it. Show shoves him off and still hasn’t gone down. Show drops Bryan with a headbutt. Show keeps control until Bryan applies a sleeper hold and finally gets him down on both knees.
Show powers up and breaks it but Bryan keeps him on his knees with kicks. Show blocks the last kick and chops Bryan out of mid-air. Show drops an elbow. Reigns has been taking selfies with fans at ringside and continues to do so as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Show dominates Bryan as fans chant “you sold out.” Bryan comes back with kicks and charges but Show catches him in a big bear hug and holds it. Bryan brings Show over the top rope onto the apron and holds it into a submission. Show tumbles to the floor. Fans cheer as Reigns starts throwing merchandise into the crowd. Apparently this is to distract Bryan. Bryan runs the ropes for a dive but Show catches him in mid-air. Bryan counters and rams Show into the steel ring post. Show grabs Bryan and throws him into Reigns. Bryan and Reigns shove each other. Show ends up spearing Reigns into the barrier as Bryan side steps. Show brings Bryan back in the ring now.
Bryan makes a comeback and hits the dropkicks in the corner. Show blocks the third and grabs Bryan for a chokeslam. Bryan blocks it and applies the Yes Lock. Show make it to the bottom rope and breaks the hold. Bryan with kicks now. He hits the roundhouse and covers for a pin attempt but Show launches him across the ring. Bryan goes to the top rope but Reigns runs in and nails Show with a Superman punch for the disqualification.
After the bell, Show’s music hits and he smiles from the ramp. Reigns turns around and Bryan comes off the top with a missile dropkick that sends Reigns out of the ring. Bryan mouths to Reigns to come get some and they stare each other down. Reigns hits the ring and takes Bryan to the corner with shoulder thrusts. Fans boo. Reigns tosses Bryan out of the ring and they mostly cheer at first. Bryan looks upset while on his knees. Reigns looks down at him from the ring. Bryan runs back in the ring and tackles Reigns. They roll around on the ring and trade shots. Reigns pulls Bryan out of the ring and the brawl continues. Reigns slams Bryan back into the barrier and he goes down. Reigns with a big right hand. Bryan fires back with rights of his own as referees try to break them up. Reigns tosses Bryan hard into the barrier.
Reigns rolls Bryan back in the ring but referees are still trying. Fans chant “let them fight” as they’re both held back in the ring. Things look to calm down as Bryan points up at the WrestleMania banner. Bryan extends his hand for a shake. They quickly, barely shake hands. They turn again but turn right back around and start brawling. Bryan dropkicks Reigns over the top rope. Bryan nails a dive and sends Reigns into the barrier. Bryan with kicks. Reigns tosses Bryan into the crowd and they fight by the production area. They fight back to the timekeeper’s area. Bryan beats Reigns over the back with a chair. Reigns comes right back with a huge forearm to the face. Reigns wrestles Bryan back to ringside and over the announcer’s table. Reigns is beating on Bryan with right hands as referees and agents try to break it up. Bryan stands on top of the announce table with referees around him as Reigns is held back at ringside. Reigns is bleeding pretty bad. Reigns tell Bryan to wait until Sunday as RAW goes off the air.
Winner via Disqualification: Big Show
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