WWE Raw Results – July 3, 2017 – Strowman vs. Crews

Jul 3, 2017

WWE RAW Results
July 3, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com

In-Ring: Enzo Amore

Big reaction for Enzo in Phoenix. He talks about a crazy year that includes him being knocked out, tossed out naked and beat up while the fans all had his back. Enzo said Cass stood behind him for five years and just watched because he didn’t have his back. He said Cass nor Conor McGregor can’t do anything to him at this point. Enzo says with confidence he is one of the toughest guys to step foot between these ropes in a “long, long time.” He isn’t going to be something he’s not, but he gets knocked down he gets back up. Enzo says he will never join the dark side. He is grateful for any fan he sees wearing one of his t-shirts or wearing a wig dancing around like him. Enzo knows who he is, where he is going and he is going straight to the top. “I’m going to reach new heights.” He says Cass is nothing more than a “7 foot catchphrase that I wrote.” Enzo tells Cass not to be surprised about that merchandise check next quarter when it shows up as “zero dimes.” His music hits and Enzo returns to the ring to grab the mic one more time. Enzo says he was brothers with Cass, but that part of him is now dead. He says the boot Cass gave him was like CPR and he is now an army of one. “It’s all eyes on me.” A fired up Enzo heads to the back.

Backstage, we see a shot of Big Cass watching. Cass says Enzo thinks he can talk the talk and walk the walk, but after Sunday, Enzo won’t be able to walk. “I’m where the money is.” Enzo Amore dives and takes out Cass out of no where. WWE officials break it up.

Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax

We start with Bayley and Nia Jax. Jax dumps Bayley on the ring apron early. Bayley catches Jax with two dropkicks in the corner, but Jax quickly dumps Bayley on the turnbuckle. Tag to Sasha Banks. Banks and Bayley with a double dropkick to Jax. Banks sends Jax to the corner, catches her with a dropkick and Jax rolls out. Jax quickly dumps Bayley off the corner. Bayley hits the barricade and Jax also pushes Banks over in the ring. Jax jumps down, charges and connects with Bayley against the ring barricade.

We return live as Banks tackles Alexa Bliss who is now legal. Michael Cole is making it clear that this is now a 2-on-1 match after Nia Jax took out Bayley earlier in the match. Banks with stomps to Bliss in the corner. Jax gets the tag and connects with a big backbreaker on Banks and drops a quick elbow. During the break, we see Bayley was taken to the back. Jax applies a bear hug on Banks. Jax launches Banks to the corner and Banks avoids a corner splash when Bliss gets the tag. Bliss stands over the back and neck of Banks applying pressure. Bliss stands on the hair of Banks and pulls up on her arms. Banks catches Bliss with a running knee and then a neckbreaker. Banks knocks Jax off the corner, but Bliss with an attack from behind. Banks has Bliss in the Bank Statement. Bliss taps.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Bayley

Backstage: Kurt Angle and Braun Strowman

Backstage, Kurt Angle is on the phone when Braun Strowman walks in and wants to know what will happen when Roman Reigns can’t compete this Sunday. Angle says as far as he knows Reigns is ready to go. Strowman says Reigns isn’t here tonight and he won’t be there on Sunday. “I want competition,” says Strowman. Angle says as far as Sunday is concerned, Reigns will be there and he has a locker room filled with talent that probably don’t want to face Strowman this close to the PPV. Strowman tells Angle he is going to the ring tonight and he better have an opponent.

Cruiserweight Division
Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar w/ Alicia Fox

Alicia Fox distracts Alexander briefly at ringside, who is in a neckbrace. Dar works over the left arm of Alexander and gets in a stomp. Alexander with a big chop to Dar. Fox distracts Alexander, but Alexander is able to roll through a pinfall attempt by Dar and drop Dar’s back over his knees to get the pinfall. After the match, Alicia Fox loses it and removes her neckbrace.

Winner: Cedric Alexander

In-Ring: Miz TV

We return live in Phoenix with WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Maryse, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas all inside the ring. Miz talks about “bringing the ratings” last week with LaVar and Lonzo Ball. “Mark my words: Lonzo Ball will be the biggest bust in NBA history. He will let down more fans than Steve Nash ever did.” He talks about making Axel and Dallas “featured stars” in his entourage. Miz talks about Dean Ambrose being wasted potential. He says when Ambrose arrived, he saw the promise and so did others backstage. “Dean Ambrose can’t handle success.” Miz says every time Ambrose was a main eventer, he caved under the pressure and he saw it. “He can’t be a top guy like me.”

Dean Ambrose walks out to interrupt. He says after that trainwreck last week he wasn’t sure if we’d ever see a MizTV segment again. Ambrose talks about Miz’s new “goon squad” and that everything he said about him was true. He doesn’t care that Miz has an entourage and wants his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship tonight.

Heath Slater and Rhyno walk out. Slater doesn’t want to be rude, but the last man to beat Miz in the ring wasn’t Dean Ambrose. “It was Heath Slater.” He talks about never getting a shot at the Intercontinental Championship or any single title in WWE. “I’ve been here for 8 years. I got a family. I got kids.” Slater wants this opportunity.

Ambrose thinks Slater should wait his turn. Miz says Ambrose will get his rematch when he decides. He also rejects Slater’s challenge for a title match. Miz says they have a 4th of July party to attend that begins at the strike of Midnight.

RAW General Manager Kurt Angle walks out on stage with a big smile on his face. Big reaction for Angle in Phoenix. Angle says Miz can’t make decisions like that. Miz tells Angle to go talk to Corey Graves about his personal problems and stay out of his business. Angle tells Miz to watch it. He books a rematch between Miz and Ambrose at Great Balls of Fire this Sunday, but also reveals Miz will defend his title against Slater next.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz (c) vs. Heath Slater

Back live, we get ring introductions for the challenger Heath Slater and the champion The Miz who will wrestle in his suit with no time to prepare. Dean Ambrose is joining Michael Cole, Booker T and Corey Graves on commentary during the match.

Slater with a roll up early on Miz. Slater with more pinfall attempts and Miz continues to kick out. Miz with a headlock takedown. A loud “EC DUB” chant breaks out towards Rhyno at ringside. Slater with a big hip toss on Miz. Slater again with another pinfall attempt with a backslide for a two count. Slater with chops to Miz in the corner after tearing his shirt open. Slater pulls the shirt over Miz’s head and throws right hands. Slater with a nasty looking inverted atomic drop and cover on Miz for a two count. Miz bails.

Miz drops Slater over his knee and then connects with a neckbreaker. Miz split open his dress pants during the match as he trades rights with Slater. Miz kicks away the leg of Slater and connects with a spike DDT for a two count. Miz dumps Slater out of the ring. Rhyno walks up and threatens to attack Axel and Dallas at ringside. Back inside, Miz with front kicks to Slater. Slater ends up dumping Miz on his face. Slater with repeated clotheslines and then a high knee that catches Miz flush. Slater catches Miz with a neckbreaker bouncing off the ropes. Miz kicks out. Miz is up top. Slater jumps up and connects with a powerslam on Miz off the top rope! Rhyno goes after Axel, but almost hits Maryse and Dallas and Axel start double teaming Rhyno at ringside. Slater is distracted. Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.

Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

After the match, The Miz tosses Heath Slater out. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas attack Slater. Dean Ambrose runs down, gets in a few shots and tries to hit Dirty Deeds on Miz. Miz escapes. Axel and Dallas double team Ambrose with a back suplex into a neckbreaker. The Miz picks up Ambrose and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz and the Miztourage celebrate.

Backstage: Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews

Backstage, Titus O’Neil talks with Apollo Crews. He suggests Crews face Braun Strowman tonight. Crews said he just had a daughter and asks Titus if he’s seen what Strowman has been doing to people. Titus says Crews’ daughter needs someone to look up to. Titus starts up a chant backstage with Crews. “Crews can’t lose!”

In-Ring: Goldust and R-Truth

Goldust is sitting in the ring when we return live. He wants to introduce everyone to his latest masterpiece: The Shattered Truth. Goldust thanks the fans and R-Truth the most for being so naive. Footage is shown of Goldust attack R-Truth. When we return live, R-Truth is standing behind Goldust and eating popcorn. Truth tackles Goldust and starts attacking him. Truth sends Goldust shoulder first into the steel ring post.

Backstage: Cesaro, Sheamus, Kurt Angle

Backstage, WWE RAW Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro walk in to talk with Kurt Angle. Angle wants to talk to the stipulation for this Sunday at Great Balls of Fire against The Hardy Boyz. He suggests a 30 Minute Iron Man match. Sheamus agrees with the decision. Cesaro wants a match with Finn Balor. Angle books it.

Seth Rollins vs. Curt Hawkins

Before the match, Curt Hawkins thinks this is a joke and that he should be facing Braun Strowman instead. He said the people of Los Angeles hurt his feelings last week. Hawkins wants to see if the “dummies” here in Phoenix tonight will get it right. He asks the crowd if they think he will lose his match tonight. The fans cheer loudly. Seth Rollins grabs the mic and asks who thinks Curt Hawkins needs to shut the hell up.

Rollins with a right hand dropping Hawkins. Rollins backs off as the referee checks on Hawkins. The referee signals for the bell. Rollins with a big knee to Hawkins and it’s over.

Winner: Seth Rollins

After the match, Seth Rollins turns his attention to Bray Wyatt. Rollins says no one needs to be saved. He plans to prove Wyatt isn’t a God this Sunday at Great Balls of Fire.

Interview: Samoa Joe and Brock Lesnar

Samoa Joe doesn’t understand why he is still answering questions. He talks about making a statement every week that he walks out. Joe has questions for his opponent and Paul Heyman. He asks Heyman what it felt like to be put in a clutch.

Brock Lesnar reminds Joe that he isn’t fighting Paul Heyman this Sunday. “I’m the champ. You’re not.” He says he will walk in and out as champion on Sunday. Lesnar calls Joe a coward for what he did to Heyman. He hasn’t been looking for Joe at all.

“Let’s go champ,” adds Joe. Joe points out they have Lesnar quarantined somewhere in the building to keep him away. Lesnar drops all the big names he’s defeated before. Joe brings up beating Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Lesnar and Heyman laugh asking if this is really happening. Joe asks why they are playing around and suggests they do this face to face. Lesnar tells Joe to come find him. We see a shot of Joe backstage walking around looking for Lesnar and Heyman. WWE producers are trying to hold Joe back as he keeps yelling for Brock. Kurt Angle tells him he has six days. Angle looks over at a door and Joe opens it. Joe is being held back. Lesnar dares Joe to come at him. Joe is yelling loudly at Lesnar. “I’ll put you down. Let’s go champ!” Security takes Joe away.

Cruiserweight Division
Non-Title Match
Cruiserweight Champion Neville vs. Mustafa Ali

Ali with a shoulder block early, but Neville flips right back up. Ali with a kick to the face and follows it up with a dropkick that drops Neville. Ali with a head scissors takedown on Neville. Ali with a top rope cross body for a very close two count. Ali goes up top and Neville cuts him off. Neville is standing up top with Ali. Neville launches Ali off the top rope. Neville lands on his neck and Ali lands on his feet. Ali with a spike DDT on Neville for another close two count. Ali is back up top and Neville knocks him off the top to the outside. Neville brings Ali back in and hits repeated kicks to the face in the corner. Neville launches Ali in the air and Ali lands with a thud. Neville levels Ali with a big clothesline when Ali flipped back in. Neville applies the Rings of Saturn. Ali gives up. Neville keeps it locked in for a few more seconds.

Winner: Neville

Segment: Bray Wyatt

A video airs showing Bray Wyatt walking around in a desert. He’s talked about his first 100 days on RAW including “The Beast” grasping for air from Samoa Joe. “I am Bray Wyatt and I am everywhere.” He asks Seth Rollins if he can hear him. “This Sunday you will look into the eyes of a God,” adds Wyatt as the video concludes.

Backstage Interview: Alexa Bliss

Backstage, WWE RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss is asked if Sasha Banks winning tonight is any indication of what will happen this Sunday. Bliss isn’t worried. She says she let Sasha win to give her a false sense of security.

Finn Balor vs. Cesaro w/ Sheamus

Before the match begins, The Hardy Boyz walk out to a big reaction. They will join Michael Cole, Booker T and Corey Graves on commentary tonight.

Balor with a side headlock early on Cesaro. Balor kicks out the knees of Cesaro and throws kicks to the chest. Cesaro catches Balor and connects with a nasty backbreaker. Balor dropkicks Cesaro in the face off a counter. Balor throws chops at Cesaro in the corner. Balor with more chops. Sheamus distracts Balor allowing Cesaro to toss Balor to the corner and get in some big stomps. Cesaro and Balor exchange chops. Cesaro dumps Balor out of the ring.

Back live, Balor with a roll up, gets a two count and Cesaro drops him with a clothesline. Cesaro with a gutwrench powerbomb on Balor for another two count. Cesaro catches Balor and hits a quick vertical suplex! Balor counters Cesaro and connects with a jumping stomp to the chest. Balor with a dropkick to the side of Cesaro’s shoulder. Cesaro rolls out and Balor catches him with a dropkick through the ropes. Balor with a huge kick to the face of Cesaro off the ring apron. Back inside, Balor connects with the sling blade on Cesaro. Balor is waiting for Cesaro to get up. Elias Samson with a distraction on the outside playing his guitar. Cesaro lifts Balor up and connects with an uppercut. Balor kicks out. Cesaro with a running uppercut to Balor. Cesaro with another uppercut. Balor with a kick to Cesaro up on the top turnbuckle. Sheamus is distracting the referee. Samson trips up Balor. The Hardy Boyz leave the commentary table and attack Samson and Sheamus. Cesaro is launched over the top rope. Balor with a dive to the outside taking out everyone! Cesaro bounces Balor knee first off the ring apron. Matt Hardy with a Twist of Fate on Samson. Brogue Kick by Sheamus on Matt. Jeff Hardy dives and takes out Sheamus. Cesaro with a huge uppercut to Jeff. Balor dropkicks Cesaro into the barricade. Balor tosses Cesaro back inside the ring and hits the Coup De Grace for the win.

Winner: Finn Balor

Braun Strowman vs. Apollo Crews

Braun Strowman heads to the ring for tonight’s main event. Strowman begins pacing the ring and waits on his opponent tonight in Phoenix. He grabs a mic. Strowman says he loves hurting Roman Reigns and has to keep knocking him back down. He warns Angle that Reigns will leave in the back of that ambulance this Sunday. Strowman still wants competition and wants Angle to send them out here right now.

Titus O’Neil walks out with a mic in hand. He said normally he would go down to the ring and slap the taste out of Strowman’s mouth. Braun yells at him to come down to the ring and do something. Titus introduces Strowman’s opponent tonight: Apollo Crews.

Crews with right hands early to Strowman. Strowman levels Crews with a big boot. Strowman picks up Crews and tosses him out of the ring. The referee starts the count. Crews rolls back in at the 7 count. Strowman pinches the nerve on Crews’ shoulder. Strowman with forearms to the chest of Crews. Strowman with another big forearm that levels Crews. Strowman again tosses Crews out of the ring. Titus O’Neil is slapping Crews at ringside to fire him up. Crews slaps Strowman when he jumps up on the ring apron. Crews drops Strowman’s jaw off the top rope. Crews with two big kicks to the ear of Strowman. Crews takes Strowman off his feet with kicks to the knees and a dropkick to the face. Strowman counters a moonsault attempt literally kicking Crews away! Wow. Strowman picks up Crews and connects with a running powerslam. Strowman breaks up the pinfall attempt lifting Crews up at the two count. Strowman puts Crews on his shoulder again and connects with a second running powerslam. Strowman again smiles and lifts up Crews after the two count. Strowman with a third powerslam and gets the pinfall.

Winner: Braun Strowman

After the match, Braun Strowman picks up Apollo Crews and puts him on his shoulder again. Titus O’Neil jumps up on the ring apron and pulls Crews off. Titus gets in the face of Strowman. Titus with right hands. Titus hits the ropes and Strowman levels him with a clothesline. Strowman has Titus up and connects with a big powerslam.

Strowman grabs Titus and tosses him inside the ambulance. He slaps on the ambulance to get going. The ambulance doesn’t move. Strowman walks over to the drivers side door, opens it and Roman Reigns is inside attacking Strowman with right hands. Strowman sends Reigns face first into the ambulance and then the steel barricade. On the ramp, Reigns is throwing more right hands. Reigns sends Strowman into the LED screens. Reigns charges and spears Strowman off the stage into tables on the outside. The show comes to a close with Reigns and Strowman recovering.

Quick Match Results

* Sasha Banks and Bayley def. Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax
* Cedric Alexander def. Noam Dar
* The Miz def. Heath Slater to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
* Seth Rollins def. Curt Hawkins in seconds
* WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville def. Mustafi Ali in a non-title match
* Finn Balor def. Cesaro
* Braun Strowman def. Apollo Crews