WWE Raw Results – October 22nd, 2018

WWE Raw Results – October 22nd, 2018

Welcome to WWE Monday Night Raw. 

The music for WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns plays as he makes his way to the ring.

Roman says he feels like he owes everyone an apology.  For months he spoke as Roman Reigns and he said a lot of things and that he would be here every week and be a fighting champion.  Roman says that is all lies.  Roman says the reality is that his name is Joe and he has been living with leukemia for 11 years.  Roman says that it is back.  Because it is back, he cannot fulfill his role and be a fighting champion.  Roman says that he will have to relinquish the Universal Championship.

Roman says he will take every prayer coming his way but he is not looking for sympathy.  He has faith.  Roman says he was 22 when he was diagnosed and he was able to put it in remission.  Roman says he did not have the money at the time and he had a baby on the way.  Roman says that WWE gave him a chance.  When he finally made it to the main roster, he was put in front of all of you and you have made his dreams come true.  Roman says it did not matter if you cheered him or booed him, you reacted to him.  That is the most important thing and he thanks everyone.

Roman says you know the deal.  Life is not fair and it is not all peaches and cream.  Life can throw you a curve ball.  He is going to go home and focus on his health and his family.  Roman says this is not a retirement speech.  After he is done whooping leukemia’s ass, he is coming back home and when he does, it will not be about winning titles and being on top.  He will have a purpose.  He wants to show the whole world, his family, his friends, his children, and his wife that he will swing for the fences every time.  Roman says he will beat this and he will be back.  You will see him very soon.

Roman puts the Universal title belt down in the center of the ring.

As Roman goes up the ramp to the stage, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins come out and they hug.  Then they do the Shield fist pose.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look back at Roman Reigns’ announcement about his health situation.

Michael mentions that reality has entered into this world and he wishes Roman his best.  Renee talks about Roman and what he has done with Dean Ambrose.  She sends her best wishes to Roman and his family.  Corey says that their kids play together and he says that Roman has this.

Before our next match, Lio Rush comes out and he says it is time to listen up.   He says the Big Man is the heavyweight that is back to dominate.  He brings out Bobby Lashley.

Match Number One:  Finn Balor versus Bobby Lashley (with Lio Rush)

Lashley with a kick to the midsection followed by a forearm to the back.  Lashley with a slam for a near fall.  Lashley with a nerve hold.  Balor with a drop kick and Lashley rolls to the floor.  Balor sets for a dive to the floor but Rush gets close to the apron and it stops Balor.  Balor chases Rush around the ring and Lashley lays in wait and clotheslines Balor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Lashley still has Balor in a painful nerve hold while Rush’s chants of Lashley brings pain to the ears of the Providence crowd and people watching on TV.  Lashley punches Balor and then he poses.  Lashley punches Balor and poses again.  Balor rolls through on a sunset flip attempt and hits a drop kick.  Balor gets his feet up and then he hits a running forearm but Lashley stays on his feet.  Balor goes for a take down but Lashley blocks it.  Balor is able to take Lashley down and he hits a double stomp.  Balor with a running chop into the corner but Lashley sends Balor into the corner.  Lashley runs into boots and he comes off the turnbuckles and Lashley catches Balor and hits a Samoan drop for a near fall.

Lashley sets for a delayed vertical suplex but Balor lands on his feet and hits Slingblade.  Balor leaps over Lashley when he goes up top and Lashley with a clothesline.  Lashley sets for the Dominator but Balor escapes and gets a rollup for the three count.

Winner:  Finn Balor

Natalya says the Riott Squad thrives on dividing and conquering but it won’t happen with them.  Bayley says Sasha will send a message to Ruby Riott.  Sasha says she will show that the Boss is back.

We are back and we take a look at what happened between Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre last week.

Dolph is in the locker room and he thanks Drew for having his back.  Drew says he saw the writing on the wall.  He knew that Braun was coming for him when he was done with Dolph so it was kill or be killed.  Dolph says that they have a tag title match tonight and he has the chance to win the World Cup at Crown Jewel.  Drew says that Braun needed them more than they needed him.  He is not afraid of Braun.  He tells Dolph that he won’t have anything to worry about after tonight.

Drew walks away and Dolph asks where is he going and Drew says he is going monster hunting.

Ruby asks Liv and Sarah about their dreams.  Liv says she dreams of a world of pain and suffering.  Sarah says she dreams of tormenting her prey.  Ruby says they will turn your dreams into a living nightmare.

Match Number Two:  Ruby Riott (with Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan) versus Sasha Banks (with Natalya and Bayley)

Ruby misses a clothesline as Liv and Sarah try to distract Sasha.  They lock up and Ruby with a side head lock and shoulder tackle.  Sasha with a wrist lock and she stomps on the foot and applies a side head lock.  Sasha with a shoulder tackle and drop toe hold.  Sasha with a double knee drop and she gets a near fall.  Ruby with a punch and forearm.  Ruby sends Sasha face first into the mat.  Ruby gets a near fall.  Ruby sends Sasha’s face into the mat but Sasha with punches.  Ruby with a knee to the head and she chokes Sasha in the ropes.

Sasha with a chop and then she goes to the ropes for momentum on an arm drag.  Ruby with a kick and Sasha sends Ruby to the floor and hits a knee.  Liv and Sarah pull Ruby aside on a baseball slide attempt and all six women stand off.  Ruby kicks Sasha off the turnbuckles to the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Ruby kicks Sasha but Sasha with punches and forearms.  Ruby with an STO and she gets a near fall.  Ruby with a cravate on Sasha and she isolates the arm.  Ruby runs into a boot from Sasha and Sasha sends Ruby into the turnbuckles.  Sasha with a back slide but Ruby rolls through and Sasha with a knee to the head.  Sasha with clotheslines and a drop kick.  Sasha with Meteora followed by a lungblower and she tries for Banks Statement but Bayley stops Sarah from interfering.  Natalya joins in the fun outside.  Sasha gets in the face of Liv and Sarah and gives them forearms.

Sasha returns to the ring and Ruby kicks Sasha into the turnbuckles and hits a Riott Kick for the three count.

Winner:  Ruby Riott

We take a look back at last week’s boiler room promo from Undertaker and Kane.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Nia Jax says that at Evolution, you will see what women can do. Do not let anything stop your dreams. She was the Raw Women’s Champion three months ago and she will win the battle royal to get another chance at the title.

Triple H and Shawn Michaels make their way to the ring.

 

Hunter says a lot of big words are being thrown around and one of them is fear. Fear that kept him from taking off the suit and leaving the boardroom. It was fear that kept you from stepping out of retirement. Hunter says it will take a lot more to instill fear in them than taking your lunch hour and grabbing a GoPro and walking down the stairs of Knoxville City Hall, putting on the mask and making an idle threat. Shawn says neither of them are running for mayor.

Shawn says that nostalgia has been thrown around. That does not mean new merch, it means sentimentality. Shawn says that nostalgia is a polite way of saying ‘old’. Hunter says nostalgia-wise, there is a movie that came out 40 years ago called Halloween that is number one at the box office. Two weeks ago we packed 70,000 in Melbourne to see them. Maybe old is just a polite way of saying ‘we’re better’.

Hunter says that X has been running for 22 years and that X says that when you see it, you knew that they were better than everybody else. Today, maybe this X is in the past, but there is another X that also says ‘they’re better’. There is another X that speaks to the future and the future is now. Shawn says they are running that too. Hunter tells Kane and Undertaker that they bring this X to Crown Jewel, they ain’t coming to make you laugh or for nostalgia. They are coming to kick your ass. Shawn says if you aren’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya . . .

There is a brief problem with the lights and then the lights go out and a gong is heard.

On the TitanTron, we see a graveyard. Taker says pride goes before destruction. Kane says arrogance preceeds the fall. Taker says their reunion will be the vessel of their fall. Kane says you can bring your dreams and illusions to harness respect. Taker says they will bring their fear and unleash utter contempt. Kane tells Hunter and Shawn that they will not defeat them.

We see tombstones for Hunter and Shawn. Taker says their first match will be their last match against anyone. Their bodies will rest here while they will own their souls for eternity. Kane says that you will deal with defeat in the deepest pits of hell. Taker says you will never REST . . . IN . . . PEACE!

We see Roman’s comments that opened tonight’s Raw.

Michael Cole says that we will have a new champion at Crown Jewel when Brock Lesnar faces Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship.

We see footage from last week’s confrontation between Ronda Rousey and The Bellas.

Paul Heyman walks in the back as we go to commercial.

We are back and Dana Brooke says that she has been passed over for so long but she will be the last one standing in the battle royal and we will see what she can do.

Paul Heyman is in the ring.

He introduces himself and he says his thoughts and prayers are with Roman Reigns. It is humbling to be among the members of that locker room and be in the presence of such courage and greatness. When he has to explain this to his children, that this show and business that we love. What you saw was sacrifice. Roman Reigns sacrificed his career and aspirations because he could not fulfill the obligations of Universal Champion because the title deserves the best any champion has to offer it.

You have the right to point at the Universal Champion and say that is the best and that is everything that this presentation and show and industry has to offer. That is number one. Until 8:05 PM eastern, we had the right to brag that the best was the Universal Champion. Now, what do we do? Roman does not want the title to stop because he cannot defend it. Roman is the first to say the show must go on, and it does.

At Crown Jewel, Brock Lesnar versus Braun Strowman. Only one can say that they can carry on the legacy of Roman Reigns. Only one can say that they are worthy of carrying the title and that is not Braun Strowman. There is only one being in this match who is worthy of being your champion. The only one worthy of laying down that title in the octagon and show the sports world that he is the best that can be offered and his name is Brock Lesnar.

Braun can bill himself as a monster, but Brock does not bill himself as a beast, he is a beast. Braun, you are not in Brock’s league, category, or stratosphere. You cannot compare to Brock Lesnar. You are not in the same species as Brock Lesnar.

Braun Strowman’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Braun says the only words that need to come out of your mouth is that he is going to beat Brock’s ass all over Crown Jewel. Braun says he will bring the title back to Raw every Monday, instead of whenever he wants. He says that when Roman beats leukemia, he will get the first title match. Braun says that Brock will GET THESE HANDS!

Braun turns around into a Claymore from Drew McIntyre.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Dolph says that is what to do because no one stood up to Braun.

Drew is asked if he is worried about the repercussions. Drew says he is not. Half the roster asks ‘what if’ and they are not ready to do what needs to be done. Drew says he is not a child. He does not look under his bed or into his closet for monsters. Braun got a swift kick of reality and he will know that he needed them. Now they can focus on the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Elias is in the ring. He says that you are blessed and he has a question for everyone. Apollo Crews interrupted him last week and he has a song about it. . .

Apollo Crews interrupts Elias because they have a match.

Match Number Three: Apollo Crews versus Elias

Crews with a side head lock and shoulder tackle followed by a drop kick. Crews with a side head lock take down. Elias tries to pull Crews off the apron but Crews kicks him away and hits a moonsault as we go to commercial.

urt Angle says that it is hard to be in the ring when you cannot do what you did in your prime.  Kurt says that he never thought he would have a chance to win the World Cup but it will be tough.  He may have to face Seth Rollins and he will pull out everything in his arsenal to do what it takes to win.  Jeff Hardy has never met a risk he would not take.  He has overcome more in life than anyone else in this tournament.  Some say all Miz does it talk and talk, but Miz wins and wins.  He has a chip on his shoulder.  Rey Mysterio is not someone to underestimate because he will take your title if you do.  Dolph Ziggler has a long resume and winning will validate what he has been saying.  Randy Orton has always been unhinged but he is more dangerous than ever.  John Cena proved himself to Kurt as a rookie and John has a Hall of Fame career.  Kurt says this is an opportunity to prove that he is the best in the world.  He might not be the same man he was 15 years ago, but on this night he can do it.

We go to commercial.

Elias is back and this time he is on the stage.

Elias says that he was so excited after that win that he wanted to come out and give the truth.

Baron apologizes for interrupting but he needs to keep this show moving.  We have a contract signing tonight.  He says he talked to Stephanie McMahon.

Elias says that Stephanie wants to walk with Elias so he will perform.

Baron says that what he has to say is more important than Elias playing on his little guitar.  Baron tells Elias to stop looking at him because Elias works for him.  If Stephanie didn’t like Elias, Baron says he would fire Baron.

Elias says he wasn’t listening while Baron was sucking the excitement out of the building, he was thinking of a new song.

Elias sings and he says he can see the fear in your eyes.  Now you are telling lies.

Baron cuts Elias’ mic but Elias will not stop.  The mic for the guitar is cut off.  Baron tells Elias to get off the stage.

Elias starts to leave and he goes to the back.

Baron starts to talk and Elias comes back out and hits Corbin in the back with the guitar.

We see Ronda Rousey come out of her dressing room and she walks into commercial.

Michael Cole is in the ring to moderate the contract signing for the Raw Championship Match at Evolution. Nikki Bella makes her way to the ring first and she is accompanied by her sister Brie Bella.

Out next is the Raw Champion, Ronda Rousey.

Nikki and Brie leave the ring and Nikki says that she knows that Ronda is looking for a fight and that is not what they are looking for. She is not going to fight in Providence.

Ronda says she is not here to fight. She wants to make sure that Nikki signs the contract so she will be there on Sunday for their fight. Ronda says she will not lay a finger on Nikki and her word is her bond. She says that her mother would be embarrassed if either of them could hurt her with her arms behind her back.

Brie and Nikki enter the ring and Nikki sarcastically responds to Ronda’s comments. Nikki asks Ronda if she promised her mother that she would win in the Olympics and win the World Championships, just like she did. Didn’t she tell her mother that she wouldn’t get hurt in the octagon and retire undefeated. Your mother is already ashamed of you. Nikki asks what will your mother think when a Diva will beat you for your title.

Nikki signs the contract and then Nikki slaps Ronda.

Ronda looks around while Nikki and Brie laugh. Ronda smirks and signs the contract.

Ronda says come Sunday, she will end Nikki. Ronda tells Nikki she gives Nikki her word.

Ronda leaves the ring and poses on the apron before leaving, but Nikki and Brie do nothing to her with Ronda’s back turned.

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose are asked about Roman’s announcement.

Dean says words cannot describe what has happened over the last six years. When you don’t what to do and when you don’t know what to say, you have to do all that you know how to do. They will do what they need to do. They will win. Seth says there are no words, but there are plenty of emotions. They will channel those emotions and beat Dolph and Drew to become the new Tag Team Champions. They will do it for Roman.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Ember talks about fighting for their legacy and their future. It is about eclipsing normal. She will risk it all on Sunday and win.Nia

Match Number Four: Nia Jax versus Dana Brooke versus Tamina Snuka versus Ember Moon

Nia and Tamina send Dana and Ember away. Ember with a drop kick to Nia when Nia is about to square off with Tamina. Dana with a rollup on Ember for a near fall. Dana with forearms to Ember and Tamina. Nia with a slam to Dana and a clothesline for Ember. Nia with a somersault senton onto Dana. Nia with shoulders to Tamina in the corner but Nia misses a splash. Tamina with kicks. Nia with an Irish whip and splash. Nia gets Tamina on her shoulders but Tamina gets to her feet and hits a super kick. Ember with Eclipse on Tamina for the three count.

Winner: Ember Moon

As they run through the card for Evolution, Michael Cole mentions that Beth Phoenix and Renee Young will be doing commentary.

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre are in the back and we go to commercial.

We are back and Titus O’Neil is on the stage for the Susan G. Komen segment. Titus mentions that his grandmother lost her battle to cancer. He says that he is honored to be on the stage with women who survived breast cancer and beat it.

We are in the interview area with Trish Stratus and Lita. They are asked about their match at Evolution.

Trish says that she would expect Mickie and Alexa to show some respect. Lita says the more jokes that Mickie and Alexa want to make the better it is for them. She says that they are ready for this. Trish says that they bring out the best in each other.

Alicia Fox shows up and she says that Alexa and Mickie will make history by humiliating Trish and Lita.

Lita says that since Alicia is the messenger, they have a message for them.

Mickie attacks Trish and Lita from behind and Alicia joins in the attack.

Mickie says that is how you do it around here.

Trish and Lita attack Mickie and Alicia.

Match Number Five:  Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins versus Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship

Drew and Deam start things off and he connects with a forearm.  Seth tags in and they double team Drew and then hit a double suplex on Dolph.  Dolph and Drew are clotheslined over the top rope to the floor as we go to commercial.

We are back and Dean with a knee to Dolph and he blocks a hesitation DDT attempt and hot shots Dolph.  Seth tags in and hits Slingblade and then leaps over Dolph from the turnbuckles and hits a suicide dive onto Drew.  Seth blocks a drop kick and catapults Dolph over the top rope to the floor.  Seth with a suicide dive onto Dolph and Drew.  Seth goes up top and Drew pushes Seth off the turnbuckles when Dolph distracts the referee.

Dolph with a Fameasser for a near fall.  Drew tags in and he stomps on the chest.  Drew with another boot to the head.  Drew stomps on Seth’s head and kicks him in the head.  Dolph tags back in and he kicks Seth in the chest.  Dolph with a reverse chin lock.  Seth with elbows but Dolph with a sleeper.  Seth with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down.  Drew tags in and he stops Seth from making the tag.  Rollins lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt.  Rollins with a chop and Drew with a chop.  Rollins with an enzuigiri and Ziggler tries to stop Rollins but Rollins moves.  Rollins with a super kick to Drew and Drew goes over the top rope to the floor.  Ziggler pulls Ambrose off the apron to prevent the tag.

Dean chases Dolph around the ring and Drew with a clothesline to Dean.  Drew with a back elbow and a reverse Alabama slam for a near fall.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Ambrose goes for a superplex on McIntyre but Drew pushes Dean off the turnbuckles.  Drew misses a chop from the turnbuckles.  Seth makes the blind tag and Dean with a neck breaker followed by a frog splash from Seth for a near fall as Dean hits a suicide dive on Dolph.  Seth goes up top for a Phoenix Splash but Drew stops him and crotches Seth.  Drew goes for a belly-to-belly superplex but Seth with elbows to catch Drew in the tree of woe but Drew with a German superplex.  Dolph sends Ambrose into the ringside barrier.

Dolph goes up top and Seth with a superplex followed by a Falcon Arrow for a near fall.  Seth sets for a back heel kick but he misses Black out.  Ziggler escapes a Buckle Bomb and Seth picks up Dolph and sends him into Drew but Drew catches him.  Drew escapes a double underhook DDT and hits a drop kick.  Dolph sends Seth into the ring post shoulder first and follows with a Zig Zag to get a near fall.

Ambrose pulls Drew to the floor as Braun Strowman’s music plays.  Rollins with a rollup on Ziggler for a near fall.  Rollins collides with the referee and he goes down.

We see Drew and Braun look at each other from opposite sides of the ring and Drew with forearms to Braun but Braun clotheslines Drew over the top rope and they go to the floor.  They fight into the crowd and Drew and Braun exchange punches.  Braun with knees to Drew as they fight to the back.

Dolph looks around and he grabs the title belt and brings it into the ring.  Dean grabs the belt and Seth with a thrust kick and Black Out.  Dean brings the referee into the ring and he makes the three count.

Winners:  Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins (new champions)

After the match, Dean gives Seth a double underhook DDT.  Dean looks around and then he punches Seth.  Dean punches Seth as he tells Seth to ‘say it again’.  Dean throws Seth to the floor.  Dean picks up Seth and sends him into the time keeper area.  Dean with more kicks.  Dean pulls up the mats at ringside and then he punches Seth more.  Dean with a double underhook DDT on the floor.

Credit: PWinsider.com