WWE RAW Results: August 22, 2016

Detailed Results

RAW kicks off with RAW commentators Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, & Corey Graves as Michael Cole breaks the news that, during the match at SummerSlam between Finn Balor and Seth Rollins to determine the first ever WWE Universal Champion, the eventual winner, Finn Balor, suffered an injury to his shoulder during the course of the matchup. Cole then shows footage from the match at SummerSlam where Seth Rollins throws Finn Balor into the barricade as Balor lands awkwardly on his shoulder. This move apparently dislocated Finn’s shoulder and Balor could be seen popping his shoulder back into place before finishing the match, ultimately winning the WWE Universal Championship. Cole then reveals the heartbreaking news that Finn Balor suffered a torn labrum during the match and Finn will require surgery to repair the injury with Balor expected to be out of action for at least six months. Much to the chagrin of the fans in attendance, it is then revealed that, due to the injury, Finn Balor will be forced to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship.

RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and RAW General Manager Mick Foley then appear in the ring as Stephanie welcomes everyone to RAW before Foley introduces the brand new WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor. Despite the bad news regarding his shoulder injury, the new champion makes his way to the ring with a smile on his face with his arm in a sling. The fans greet the first ever WWE Universal Champion with chants of “you deserve it” before the champion states that the championship represents that, if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish absolutely “anything”. Balor then says that he did the impossible at SummerSlam when he became the WWE Universal Champion, but there was a “sacrifice”. An emotional Balor then says that he wants to thank WWE for the opportunity and he wants to thank every Superstar in the back and he even wants to thank Seth Rollins for giving him the match of his “life”. The champion continues, saying that, most of all, he wants to thank all of the fans and the fans respond with chants of “thank you Finn”.

Balor says that it’s him that should be thanking them before saying that, for now, he has to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship, but they can rest assured that, when he is able and healthy enough, he will be back and the championship is the first thing he’s coming for. As the fans sound their disapproval, Mick Foley solemnly takes the title belt from Finn Balor before the GM embraces Finn, raising the hand of “The Demon King” before an emotional Finn Balor leaves the ring, making the walk to the back.

However, once the now former WWE Universal Champion makes it to the stage, his SummerSlam opponent Seth Rollins walks out to the stage with a big smile on his face, briefly smiling at Finn before Rollins makes his way to the ring. Rollins calls Finn’s injury a “shame”, but says that they can’t live in the past, saying that this should be a “celebration”. Rollins says that they should have a “championship celebration” for the “true WWE Universal Champion”. This brings out Sami Zayn, who walks to the ring with a purpose, which immediately sparks an argument between Sami and Rollins as Zayn makes it clear that he wants the WWE Universal Championship. Chris Jericho then makes his way to the ring with “Y2J” actually begging Stephanie McMahon for the title before Jericho’s tag team partner Kevin Owens also makes his way down to the ring.

As all the Superstars argue in the ring, Stephanie whispers to Foley but this is when Enzo & Big Cass join the Superstars in the ring! The ring then continues to fill up as Roman Reigns marches down to the ring. Mick Foley then addresses the seven Superstars in the ring, saying that he and Stephanie have decided that all of them are worthy of a shot at the title so there will be a series of matches that will conclude on next week’s RAW with the crowning of a new WWE Universal Champion. Stephanie then announces that the first match in the series will start right now as Sami Zayn will go one-on-one with Seth Rollins!

With the WWE Universal Championship now vacated after Finn Balor was forced to relinquish the championship, the first match in a series of matches to determine a new WWE Universal Champion would be the opening match of RAW as Sami Zayn would go one-on-one with Seth Rollins. During the match, Sami Zayn would land awkwardly on his right ankle as Sami would struggle with the ankle throughout the remainder of the match. Despite a gutsy performance from Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins was able to capitalize on the injured Zayn, scoring with the Pedigree and pinning Sami to pick up the win and earning his spot in the WWE Universal Championship match next week.

After Seth Rollins earned his spot in the WWE Universal Title match on next week’s RAW, two more Superstars would be looking to do the same as Kevin Owens, with Chris Jericho in his corner, would go one-on-one with “The Man That Gravity Forgot” Neville. During a stellar match, Neville would head to the top rope for the Red Arrow, but a distraction from Chris Jericho would allow Kevin Owens to take advantage as Owens delivers a Torture Rack neckbreaker to Neville, pinning the high flyer to earn a spot in next week’s WWE Universal Title match. It was revealed after the match that next week’s WWE Universal Title match will be a Fatal 4-Way Match with Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and two to-be-determined Superstars competing for the gold!

Following a successful title defense, albeit by disqualification, against Gallows & Anderson at SummerSlam, the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions in history would be on RAW as The New Day, complete with the returning Big E, makes their way to the ring. Kofi Kingston reminds the fans that they are in their 365th day as WWE Tag Team Champions before Kofi thanks the fans, saying that they made The New Day because they were “vocal” through the good times and the bad. Xavier Woods then presents a piñata filled with Booty-O’s, but before Big E can whack the piñata, they are interrupted by Gallows & Anderson. Gallows & Anderson both declare that what The New Day is doing is “stupid” before Karl Anderson asks what The New Day has to celebrate.

Now in the ring, Anderson reminds The New Day that they lost at SummerSlam before Luke Gallows says that, even though they rescued Jon Stewart, they still lost and, as a result, they are owed a rematch for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Gallows then says that all the “props” and all the “toys” aren’t going to “mean a thing” when they take the WWE Tag Team Titles from The New Day. Big E then declares that, tonight, they will show Gallows & Anderson why “New Day rocks”.

With Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston in his corner, WWE Tag Team Champion Big E would return to action on RAW, going one-on-one with Karl Anderson, with Luke Gallows in his corner. During the match, chaos would ensue on the outside with Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston ultimately taking Luke Gallows out. Meanwhile, in the ring, Big E would hit Karl Anderson with the Big Ending, pinning Anderson for the win.

Titus O’Neil would then make an appearance on RAW as Titus says that he was relieved when he and Darren Young lost the WWE Tag Team Titles last year because he could finally drop the “dead weight” of Darren and leave The Prime Time Players in the past. Titus then claims that he would be the WWE Universal Champion right now if it wasn’t for Darren Young before blaming Darren for all of his “failures” in WWE. Titus then calls Darren out to the ring, vowing to “bury” his former tag team partner. When Darren doesn’t come out, Titus calls Bob Backlund an “old, crazy man”, asking “who is Bob Backlund anyways?” This brings out Bob Backlund as the gutsy WWE Hall of Famer makes a beeline for the ring! Backlund is able to briefly take it Titus O’Neil and even locks in the Crossface Chicken Wing, but Titus fights out before slamming Backlund. This would bring Darren Young down to the ring to check on his mentor, but Titus grabs Darren Young and plants his former friend with the Clash of the Titus, leaving Darren Young and Bob Backlund laid out in the ring.

Backstage, RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon is interviewed about the brutal assault perpetrated by Brock Lesnar on, not only Randy Orton, but her brother and SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon as well. Stephanie’s comments were short, but poignant, stating that Brock “crossed the line” at SummerSlam and there will be “repercussions” for his actions.

With his ribs taped up as a result of an attack from Roman Reigns that concluded with a Spear at SummerSlam, United States Champion Rusev, with Lana in his corner, would go one-on-one with Big Cass, with Enzo Amore in his corner, in a non-title match with the winner earning a spot in the Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Universal Championship on next week’s RAW. During the match, Rusev would exit the ring, deciding to blast Enzo Amore with a kick to the face and this would light a fire under Big Cass as Cass would take it to the United States Champion in the ring. Rusev would again exit the ring, but Big Cass would follow him out this time, sending Rusev’s injured ribs into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Rusev would catch Big Cass with a big side kick, but Cass would respond with a big boot to the face of the United States Champion. Rusev would once again exit the ring, but this time, Rusev would not come back into the ring, taking the count-out loss as Big Cass advances to the Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Universal Championship next week!

One night after shockingly defeating Sasha Banks at SummerSlam to win back the Women’s Championship, new Women’s Champion Charlotte would make her way to the ring on RAW with her protégé Dana Brooke in tow. Charlotte declares that she is the “greatest female athlete in the world” before saying that all of them can forget about Sasha Banks because she “exposed” Sasha for what she really is, saying that Sasha is “all flash and no cash”. The champion then says that she is a two-time Women’s Champion and she did it all by herself before saying that Sasha doesn’t have “what it takes” to carry the Women’s Division. Charlotte then declares that Sasha is “never” going to come after her title again, saying that, when Sasha is cleared to return to the ring, she should not return at all, stating that the “Queen has reclaimed her throne”. Charlotte was then set to leave the ring, but she is interrupted by RAW General Manager Mick Foley as the GM congratulates Charlotte, saying that Charlotte and Sasha tore the house down at SummerSlam. Foley then says that he has talked to Sasha Banks, telling Charlotte that, when Sasha is cleared to compete, she will be getting her rematch for the Women’s Title. Charlotte responds by saying that, when Sasha does come back, she will “break” Sasha’s back again!

The Women’s Champion then says that she deserves the “night off” because there is “no one left” that is worthy of her time. Foley says that there are aspects of being a General Manager that are “heartbreaking” like when he had to ask Finn Balor to relinquish the WWE Universal Championship, but there are aspects of his job that bring him “joy”. The GM then announces that he and Stephanie have signed the “hottest free agent” and the Barclays Center comes unglued at the reveal of the newest member of the RAW roster as former NXT Women’s Champion Bayley makes her much-anticipated debut on RAW! The bubbly competitor makes her way to the ring to a thunderous response from the crowd. Bayley states that she can’t believe that this is actually happening as the crowd responds with chants of “you deserve it” before Bayley continues, saying that she has been waiting for this moment her entire life. The notorious hugger then does just that, sealing the deal with a hug for the RAW General Manager.

Unimpressed, Charlotte says that there’s a reason that Bayley got left behind during the Divas Revolution, calling Bayley “Ms. Left Behind”. Bayley says that Charlotte knows how much she respects Charlotte and she would never try to upstage her, but what she will do is challenge Charlotte to a match for the Women’s Championship! However, Charlotte denies Bayley, saying that Bayley has to go to the back of the line and earn a shot at the title. The champion then says that she is not dressed to compete, but she has taught her protégé, Dana Brooke, to always be ready for a fight. Despite Dana expressing her disapproval, Charlotte would offer Bayley a match with her protégé with Mick Foley making the match official!

After being signed to RAW, Bayley would make her much-anticipated in-ring debut as the former NXT Women’s Champion would go one-on-one with Dana Brooke, with Women’s Champion Charlotte in her corner. In the end, it was Bayley making her RAW debut count as “The Hugger” hits the Bayley-to-Belly on Dana Brooke, pinning the protégé to pick up the win.

The mountainous monster known as Braun Strowman was in action on RAW as Strowman would face local competitor Johnny Knockout. In the end, it was Braun Strowman hitting the reverse chokeslam and pinning Johnny Knockout for the win. After the match, Strowman would pick the local competitor back up, hitting a huge modified powerslam on Johnny Knockout before intimidating the referee into counting a second, unofficial pinfall.

After making their return the night after SummerSlam last year, RAW would be home to an emotional goodbye as the most decorated tag team in WWE history would say goodbye to WWE as the legendary Dudley Boyz, Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley, make their way to the ring one last time. Bubba Ray says that he normally doesn’t get emotional, but tonight might be different before saying that, one year ago in this very city, they returned “home” to WWE. Bubba Ray then says that they’ve had their “ups and downs” in the last year, but they knew that the fans respected them because they have been busting their asses for twenty years. D-Von then says that he has been up and down the road with Bubba Ray for twenty years, creating history with the likes of Edge & Christian and The Hardy Boyz.

D-Von continues, saying that, if he had the chance to do it all again, he would. D-Von then declares that WWE is his home and it “always will be” and, if it wasn’t for the fans, there would be no Dudley Boyz. Bubba Ray then asks the fans to get on their feet so they can applaud them before Bubba Ray says that, even though things didn’t exactly go their way this past year, getting to say goodbye to their “hardcore brothers and sisters” in their backyard is on their own terms. D-Von then concludes in vintage fashion, declaring “oh my brother, testify”!

However, the emotional moment is interrupted by The Shining Stars as Primo says that Bubba Ray & D-Von are “all washed up”. Epico then says that, since The Dudley Boyz are leaving, they have a gift for the two legends, revealing that they got them two “economy tickets” on a flight to Puerto Rico. Primo then comments that he feels sorry for whoever has to sit next to them before Epico says that Puerto Rico has some of the greatest “retirement homes” in the world. Having heard enough from The Shining Stars, The Dudley Boyz take down The Shining Stars before Bubba Ray & D-Von hit Epico with the 3-D. The Dudley Boyz follow this up by hitting their signature Whazup maneuver on Primo before Bubba Ray tells D-Von to “get the tables”!

The Dudley Boyz then set a table up in the ring, but before they can put Primo through it, Bubba Ray & D-Von are ambushed by Gallows & Anderson. Luke Gallows would hammer on Bubba Ray on the outside while Karl Anderson sends D-Von into the steel steps. Gallows & Anderson then pick up Bubba Ray, hitting Bubba Ray with the Magic Killer on the arena floor. D-Von would then try to fight back against Gallows & Anderson, but the two-on-one advantage would be too much for D-Von as Gallows & Anderson put D-Von through the table with the Magic Killer. Gallows & Anderson then stand tall in the ring, proud of their disrespectful assault on the departing Dudley Boyz.

With one spot left in the Fatal 4-Way Match for the vacant WWE Universal Championship on next week’s RAW, it was time for the main event as six-time former World Champion Chris Jericho would go one-on-one with Roman Reigns with the winner joining Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, & Big Cass in the title match next week. During the match, Roman Reigns would hit Chris Jericho with the Superman Punch, but as Roman sets Jericho up for the Spear, Kevin Owens would come out, getting on the apron to distract Reigns. Jericho would then try to take advantage, surprising Roman with a roll-up, but Reigns would kick out before Roman would try again for the Spear, but this time Jericho would counter, locking in the Walls of Jericho on Reigns. However, Roman was able to power his way to the bottom rope, but this is when Jericho would distract the referee, allowing Kevin Owens to catch Roman with a kick to the face and Jericho would follow this up with the Codebreaker, but Reigns would kick out!

A frustrated Jericho would then decide to start slapping Roman, which would fire Reigns up as Roman slaps Jericho repeatedly. Owens then gets on the ring apron, but Reigns drops Owens with the Superman Punch before finally delivering the Spear to Chris Jericho, pinning Jericho to pick up the win as Roman earns the final spot in the Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Universal Championship next week. Reigns then stands tall in the ring with a smile on his face as Roman will join Seth Rollins, Big Cass, & Kevin Owens in next week’s Fatal 4-Way Match to crown a new WWE Universal Champion.

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