WWE RAW Results – April 18, 2016 – Ambrose vs. Owens

WWE Monday Night RAW Results
April 18, 2016
London, England
Report by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

“Then. Now. Forever” The WWE video leads us into the show.

The RAW video plays, and we go into the arena to see a big pyrotechnics display. Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and JBL welcome us to the show.

Dean Ambrose’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring, which is decorated with the Ambrose Asylum set. A replay is shown of Ambrose interrupting the Highlight Reel and taking it over at Shane McMahon’s order. Ambrose then gave Chris Jericho the Dirty Deeds. Ambrose welcomes the crowd to the Ambrose Asylum, which gets a nice pop. Ambrose asked if they heard about the reports of a giant river monster in the Thames River, which is surprising because he didn’t know Braun Strowman could swim. They laugh, which surprises Ambrose. Ambrose says he doesn’t get how Jimmy Fallon and James Corden do this every night. Ambrose then points out Corden’s parents at ringside. Ambrose says everyone wants to be involved with the Ambrose Asylum. Ambrose then introduces his guest for the night, Shane McMahon.

Shane McMahon comes out to a huge reception from the crowd. Shane shakes hands with the fans at ringside before getting in the ring. Shane does his dance in the ring before soaking in the thunderous “Shane O’Mac” chants. Shane looks totally floored. Ambrose welcomes him to the Ambrose Asylum. Shane thanks him for having him. Ambrose tells him to have a seat before realizing there are no chairs in the ring. The crowd starts a “You still got it” chant. Ambrose says when you see this clip, everyone will agree with what the crowd is saying. Ambrose says he’s done a lot of questionable things in his time, but this takes the cake. Shane risked his life to beat The Undertaker, but he moved. The replay of the spectacular jump off the Hell in a Cell is shown. Ambrose asks what Shane was thinking. The crowd starts singing “Shane-O” to the tune of “Olé.” Ambrose says it’s time to get down to business. Any show could be his last one in control. What are his goals? Television ratings, great ratings, world domination? Shane says it’s all about the fans. They’re his agenda. The WWE fans deserve better. There’s a new era that has emerged in the WWE with superstars that never would have got a chance like AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, “The Boss” Sasha Banks – it’s because of all of them and what they have been demanding. That’s why we have arrived.

Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he comes out to a massive pop from the crowd. Owens says Shane can talk about the evolution of WWE and how this is the beginning of a new era, but he’s not fooling him because this is the same old crap he’s been seeing for years. What he’s seeing is a McMahon mad with power that’s got a personal vendetta against this generation’s #1 superstar, and that’s him. Shane says he doesn’t have a personal vendetta against him at all. Owens asks why he was removed from the building. Shane says he did that because he was going to cost Zayn another shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Owens asks if he got punished for telling the truth and being an honest man. Owens says he is an honest man because Shane knows what he said last Monday is 100% true. Sami Zayn does not belong anywhere near the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Owens says he knows it better than anyone else because Zayn has been riding his coattails for over a decade.

Sami Zayn’s music hits, and he comes out to a big reception. The crowd sings his theme song. Zayn says it’s funny that Owens said he was riding his coattails. As he remembers it, he got signed by WWE before Owens. That drives Owens crazy and that’s why he threw their friendship away and attacked him at NXT. Zayn knows that Owens would never have ended up in WWE without him. Owens has made a career stabbing his friends in the back.

Chris Jericho’s music hits, and he comes out to another big pop. Jericho tells the crowd to shut their mouths because he has something to say. Jericho says there are a lot bigger issues here than his stupid idiot emotions. The only one with any brains in this ring is Kevin Owens when he said Shane McMahon is drunk with power. Jericho says he never liked Shane back then and he doesn’t like him now, but he doesn’t remember that he’s the best in the world at what he does. Jericho asks for clarification of understanding. That includes hosting the greatest talk show in WWE history in The Highlight Reel. Shane took that away from him. Shane says it’s about new opportunities. Jericho can watch old episodes of The Highlight Reel on the WWE Network.

They all start arguing until Ambrose warns them to be careful around his potted plant. Shane says he wants to make some matches for WWE Payback. If Chris Jericho is truly the best in the world, he’ll have to prove it against Dean Ambrose. As for Kevin Owens, since they have such a personal beef, he’ll be taking on Sami Zayn. Tensions are getting a little high, so he’s going to step out of the ring. Shane exits the ring, but Ambrose stops him and hands him his potted plant. Ambrose then removes his jacket before attacking Owens. Zayn and Jericho start brawling before Zayn throws Jericho out of the ring. Ambrose then throws Owens out of the ring. Ambrose’s music plays as he and Zayn stand tall.

-Commercial Break-

Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho

Charles Robinson, the greatest referee of all time, is the official for this match. Shane McMahon made this match during the break. Jericho kicks and chops him before applying a side headlock. Jericho dares the crowd to “Olé.” Zayn whips him off before leapfrogging him and connecting with three arm drags. Zayn keeps the arm bar applied. Jericho fights up before chopping him. Jericho slaps him a few times before sending him into the ropes, but Zayn slingshots over him and connects with a dropkick for a one count. Zayn forearms him before having a whip reversed. Jericho takes him down with a back elbow before taunting the crowd. Jericho goes for a springboard dropkick, but Zayn moves and Jericho crashes and burns on the floor. Zayn then takes him out with a split-legged moonsault to the floor! Zayn gets him in the ring, but Jericho kicks him before chopping him. Zayn reverses a whip and throws him to the apron. Jericho quickly goes to the top rope and leaps, but Zayn punches him in the midsection. Zayn grabs the arm and chops the chest before going for a top rope arm drag, but Zayn gets crotched on the top rope.

Jericho quickly capitalizes and chokes him on the bottom rope. Jericho forearms him and stomps him in the corner before choking him with his boot. Jericho taunts the crowd before smirking. Zayn fights back with punches and chops before having a whip reversed. Jericho then takes him down with a dropkick. Zayn rolls out of the ring to recover.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Jericho give Zayn a suplex on the floor. Jericho gets in the ring and taunts the crowd. Zayn rolls into the ring, and Jericho catches him with a snap suplex. Jericho steps on him as a cover, but he gets a no count. Jericho gives him a snapmare before applying a chin lock. Zayn fights up, but Jericho knees him in the midsection. Jericho hits the ropes, but Zayn takes him out with a pair of clotheslines. Zayn sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Jericho hits the ropes, and Zayn floors him with another clothesline. Zayn boots him away and connects with a cross-body block for a two count. Jericho counters a suplex and goes for the Walls of Jericho, but Zayn twists out. Jericho quickly boots him in the face before connects with a facebuster. Jericho goes for the Lionsault, but Zayn gets his knees up. Zayn then connects with an impressive Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Zayn goes to the top rope, but he leaps into a dropkick. Jericho then applies the Walls of Jericho! Zayn sits in it for some time before clawing his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Jericho angrily charges him, but Zayn gives him a back body drop over the top rope.

Zayn looks at Jericho and goes for a plancha, but Jericho moves. Zayn puts the brakes on before doing the move. Zayn follows him outside and dives through the turnbuckles to catch him with a tornado DDT! Zayn gets him in the ring and sets up for the Helluva Kick, but Jericho ducks down in fear. The referee backs Zayn up, and Jericho pokes him in the eye. Jericho then connects with a Codebreaker for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Chris Jericho 
Match Rating: ** 1/4

Later tonight, we’ll see Dean Ambrose take on Kevin Owens. We’ll also see a #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Semifinals match featuring The Vaudevillains taking on The Usos. We’ll also see another semifinals match with Enzo and Cass taking on The Dudley Boyz.

-Commercial Break-

Mauro Ranallo is backstage with the #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, AJ Styles. Ranallo asks what he attributes to his rise. Styles goes to answer, but Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows walk up to him. Styles introduces them to the WWE Universe before hugging them. Gallows says they appreciate him putting the good word in for him. Anderson says he’s worked his entire life to get into WWE. They keep calling Styles “brother.” Gallows says this is the land of opportunity. They’ll make the most out of theirs, and they know Styles will make the most out of his at WWE Payback. Anderson says he wants to be just like Styles when he grows up. Styles says he’s just glad they’re here. Gallows says they need to find a spot to catch up and get some details on their last night in Japan because it’s hazy. They walk off. Michael Cole mentions their history in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Enzo and Cass make their entrance to a massive pop. The crowd chants along with Enzo’s opening promo. Cass says they’ve arrived. Enzo says there is the word “hell” in “hello,” “good” in “goodbye,” “end” in “friend,” “lie” in “believe,” and “DUD” in “Dudley.” The Dudley Boyz are a couple of haters because they are duds and not studs. They’re fugazi. There isn’t anything silicon about them. They’re like A-cups because they’re real whether you like them or not. The crowd is absolutely eating this up and chanting Enzo’s name. Big Cass says there is only one word to describe The Dudleys: S-A-W-F-T!

#1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Semifinal Match
Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. The Dudley Boyz

Enzo Amore will start against D-Von Dudley. They lock up, and D-Von powers him to the corner before punching him down. Enzo wildly punches back, but D-Von quickly takes him down. Bubba Ray Dudley is tagged in, and he punches Enzo before viciously chopping the chest. Bubba clubs the back before shoving Cass.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Bubba start jabbing him. Enzo punches back and dances. Enzo ducks a pair of clotheslines before being turned inside out by a shoulder block. Bubba tags in D-Von and says, “Please destroy him.” D-Von puts him in the corner and punches him down. D-Von chokes him with his boot before angrily looking at Big Cass. D-Von connects with a neckbreaker for a near fall. D-Von shoves him into the corner and tags Bubba back in. Bubba talks trash at him as he punches him down in the corner. Bubba flattens him with a big splash and rips at his hair before covering for a one count. D-Von is tagged back in, and he clubs away at him. D-Von slams him down and yells, “You can’t teach that!” Bubba goes to the second rope and yells at Big Cass. Bubba pulls Enzo up and slaps the back. Enzo fights him, but Bubba pushes him off. Bubba goes for a senton splash off the second rope, but Enzo moves!

Big Cass and D-Von are tagged in. Cass hits D-Von with a shoulder block and Bubba with an avalanche. Cass clotheslines D-Von twice before slamming him down and dropping the Empire Elbow. Cass avalanches D-Von before missing a second one. Bubba is tagged back in, and they catch him with 3D II. Bubba accidentally hits D-Von with a club when Cass moves. Cass then big boots Bubba down. Enzo is tagged in, and they catch Bubba with the Rocket Launcher for the win! Enzo and Big Cass advance to the Finals of the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament.

Winners by Pinfall: Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady
Match Rating: * 1/2

Roman Reigns is shown on the screen, which gets obvious big boos in England. He’ll be out next.

-Commercial Break-

Roman Reigns’ music hits, and he comes out to massive boos from the crowd in England. Reigns gets in the ring and says if they haven’t heard it before, he’ll say it again. He’s not a good guy or a bad guy. He’s just THE guy. AJ Styles is a tough guy. He’s a world traveled champion and a great technical wrestler, so he guesses that makes him “phenomenal.” Styles will try to outwrestle him at Payback, but that won’t work because he’s bringing the big fight. Anyone that thinks they’re in this new era in the WWE can get some too. He’ll hit them right in the mouth and defend the title. This is the era of the Roman Empire. The crowd loudly boos that. Reigns says they’re here to stay. The crowd starts chanting, “Boring.”

AJ Styles’ music hits, and he comes out to a huge reception with pyro added to his entrance. Styles gets in the ring, and the crowd loudly applauds for him. An “AJ Styles” chant breaks out. Styles says he thinks Reigns is one heck of a champion, which elicits boos. Despite what the crowd thinks, he’s got it all. He’s got power, he’s explosive, and aggressive. To beat him, he’ll have to have the match of his life, but having the match of his life is what he does. Having the match of his life has made him a champion everywhere he’s been. Having the match of his life is why WWE came calling. At Payback, having the match of his life will make him champion. A loud “YES” chant breaks out. Reigns says he feels everything Styles just said. Reigns had the match of his life at WrestleMania, which is where he became champion. A loud “Boring” chant breaks out for Reigns. Reigns agrees with Styles. That’s why the crowd likes Styles. Reigns asks London if they like Styles. The whole world likes him. What they won’t like is when Reigns beats him at Payback, but they will respect him. That’s the only thing that matters. He’d rather be respected with the title than be liked without it. Styles says he’d rather be liked and respected because that will make him a phenomenal WWE Champion. Styles’ music hits, and he leaves the ring.

Reigns stares at him before being attacked from behind by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows! The crowd roars as Gallows hoists Reigns up on his shoulders. They connect with what Michael Cole calls the Boot of Doom. Styles turns around and sees what is going on and looks upset.

-Commercial Break-

Replays are shown of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows attacking Roman Reigns moments ago.

Roman Reigns is walking backstage. Someone tries to interview him, but AJ Styles quickly walks up. Styles says he had no idea that was going to happen. Reigns says he knows Styles’ history and they’re his boys and he brought them here. Last week they attacked his cousins and this week they attacked him. Styles better tell the truth or start selling a new story. Styles says they are friends, but he had no idea they were going to do that. Styles says he doesn’t need his friends to beat him for the title. Reigns says he can bring all his friends, but it won’t matter. It’s one versus all. Styles walks off.

Dolph Ziggler will be on commentary for the next match.

Fandango vs. Baron Corbin

Footage is shown from two weeks ago of Baron Corbin giving Dolph Ziggler the End of Days on the floor.

The bell rings, and they lock up. Corbin powers him to the corner, but Fandango ducks under and chops him a few times. Corbin reverses a whip, but he eats an elbow. Fandango jumps off the second rope into a forearm. Corbin then throws him over the top rope. Corbin throws him into the ring post. The André the Giant Memorial Trophy is at ringside. Corbin then throws Fandango into Dolph Ziggler. Corbin grabs Fandango and kicks Ziggler in the midsection. Corbin gets Fandango in the ring and connects with the End of Days for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Baron Corbin
Match Rating: 1/4 *

Ziggler quickly attacks him from behind, but Corbin takes him down with a big boot. Corbin knocks him out of the ring and wipes him out with another End of Days on the floor! Corbin taunts the crowd before casually walking off.

Natalya, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Paige will take on Charlotte, Summer Rae, and Team B.A.D. later tonight.

The Miz and Maryse are seen walking backstage. She stops Miz before he steps on a spilled cup of coffee. She makes a stagehand put his jacket over it before they walk on. They’ll be out, next.

-Commercial Break-

The Colons are back with another Puerto Rico hype video.

The Miz and Maryse are in the ring for another episode of Miz TV. Maryse speaks in French to the crowd, which they don’t like. Maryse tells them to show some respect, get “in” their feet, and greet The Miz. The Miz welcomes the crowd to the most must-see WWE talk show in history, Miz TV. When it comes to royalty, William and Catherine have nothing on The Miz and Maryse. They’re the “it” couple in WWE and all over the world. The differences between the United Kingdom and Hollywood has never been so clear as they are right now. A picture of Prince George is shown on the titantron. They make fun of the two-year-old baby’s face. Miz says their baby is pristine and perfect (the Intercontinental Championship). Miz and Maryse then make out in the ring.

Cesaro’s music hits, and he comes out to a big reception from the crowd. Cesaro gets in the ring and soaks in the “Cesaro” chant. There’s a large contingent in the Cesaro Section tonight. Cesaro says Miz talks about the royalty, but he’s a royal pain in the ass. Miz says he’s a leading man while Cesaro is a supporting actor. Cesaro may think of himself as the #1 Contender – he’s interrupted by a “boring” chant. Miz tells them to keep their mouths shut. He’s prepared a monologue and will nail it. This monologue is from “Taken.” Now he will immortalize it. Miz starts doing the “Taken” scene where Liam Neeson threatens the terrorists on the phone, but changes the last line to say he will beat Cesaro at Payback. Miz says he’ll do one more take, and he repeats the final line. Cesaro cuts him off before he goes for a third take. Cesaro says, “When my hand goes up, your mouth goes shut.” The crowd loudly cheers that and chants his name. Cesaro says the only thing that will happen at WWE Payback is he will become the Intercontinental Champion. Since Miz likes movies so much, in honor of his birthday, he’ll quote “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Cesaro says the famous line from “They Live” about being all out of bubblegum.

Miz says he’d love to fight Cesaro tonight, but he already has a match against this man. Rusev’s music hits, and he charges out to the stage. Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio then join him. Rusev’s trunks are shorter tonight. Cesaro tells them to stop it. Before he came out here, he talked to Shane McMahon. It won’t be him and Rusev one-on-one. It’ll be the League of Nations and The Miz against Cesaro and… Cesaro removes his jacket to show a Booty O’s shirt. The crowd goes wild!

“OH LONDON, DON’T YOU DARE BE SOUR! CLAP FOR YOUR WORLD FAMOUS TWO-TIME CHAMPS AND FEEL THE POWER!”

The New Day makes their entrance to a thunderous reception from the crowd. They clap and gyrate down to the ring. This match is next.

-Commercial Break-

The Miz and The League of Nations vs. Cesaro and The New Day

We join the match in progress. Miz locks Xavier Woods in a side headlock, but he’s soon whipped off. Miz then floors him with a shoulder block. Miz hits the ropes, and Woods takes him down with a hip toss. Woods applies a side headlock before Miz backs him to the corner. Miz knees away at him before saying The New Day sucks. Miz sends Woods to the corner, but Woods slingshots over him, avoids some clotheslines and a big boot, and takes him down with a right hand for a two count. Kofi Kingston is tagged in, and he floors Miz with a running boot. Big E tags in, and he crushes Miz with a big splash for a near fall. Kingston is tagged in, and he takes Miz out with a double axe handle. Miz quickly pulls him into the ropes and tags in Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio clotheslines him, hits a snapmare, and kicks him in the back of the neck. Del Rio hits the ropes, but Kingston takes him down with a double stomp. The New Day and Cesaro then start doing the unicorn stampede. Cesaro then hits Del Rio with a slingshot dropkick before Big E whips Kingston into him with a dropkick. They all celebrate as Woods plays the trombone. Woods is tagged in, and he chops Del Rio’s chest. Del Rio reverses a whip and connects with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Sheamus is tagged in, and he stomps away at Woods. Sheamus shoulders him in the midsection, knees him in the face, and floors him with an Irish hammer. Sheamus taunts the crowd before Rusev is tagged in. Rusev clubs away at Woods before stomping him. Rusev kicks him in the ribs before tagging in Sheamus. Sheamus knees him in the side before throwing him out of the ring. Del Rio tosses Woods to the apron. Woods fights off the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán, but Rusev kicks him. Sheamus then fires it off before Del Rio knocks him off the apron with a step-up enzuigiri.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Woods trapped in a chin lock applied by Del Rio. Woods tries to fight him off, but Del Rio puts himself over the top rope while applying a Cross Arm Breaker. Miz is tagged in, and he taunts the opposing team before applying a chin lock. Woods fights him off, but Miz slings him down by the hair. Miz then knocks Cesaro off the apron. Woods then takes Miz down with a back body drop. The League of Nations pull Kingston off the apron before Woods can make the tag. Rusev is tagged in, and he avalanches Woods. Rusev grabs him on the apron, but Woods snaps him off the top rope before getting in the ring and connecting with a DDT.

Sheamus and Cesaro are tagged in. Cesaro clotheslines Sheamus before knocking the League of Nations off the apron. Cesaro starts an uppercut train on Sheamus and Miz before dropkicking Sheamus down. Cesaro goes outside and floors Rusev with an uppercut before taking out Del Rio. Cesaro goes to the top rope and takes Sheamus down with a cross-body block for a near fall. Cesaro signals for the swing, but Miz big boots him. Sheamus takes him out with a sit-out bomb, but Woods breaks it up. Rusev superkicks Woods, and Kingston hits Trouble in Paradise. Del Rio takes Kingston out with a Backstabber, and Big E takes him out with Belly-To-Booty. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale on Big E, but Big E powers out and counters into the Big Ending. Sheamus then powerslams Big E. Cesaro counters a tilt-a-whirl from Sheamus into the Gotch Neutralizer for the win!

Winners by Pinfall: Cesaro and The New Day
Match Rating: * 3/4

The New Day celebrates with James Cordan’s parents at ringside.

Mauro Ranallo is backstage with Charlotte and Ric Flair. A replay is shown of Ric Flair interfering to get Charlotte disqualified before she lost the WWE Women’s Championship. Charlotte says Ranallo is worse than Dr. Phil. She wouldn’t expect him to understand because he hasn’t succeeded at anything in life. It was Natalya’s job to beat her, but she’s still a failure, just like every woman in this division. Natalya walks up and says her father may have saved her last week, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that she tapped out. Shane McMahon has granted her a rematch at WWE Payback. Charlotte says the ending will be the same. Natalya says the ending will be different because she’ll have someone in her corner: Bret “Hitman” Hart! Charlotte and Ric Flair do not look pleased.

-Commercial Break-

Nikki and Brie Bella will star in a spinoff of “Total Divas” called “Total Bellas.”

Natalya, Becky Lynch, Paige, and Sasha Banks vs. Team B.A.D., Summer Rae, and Charlotte

Natalya will start the match against Charlotte. Charlotte hits the ropes and “Woos” in Natalya’s face. Charlotte then backs up and tags in Summer Rae. They lock up, and Natalya takes her down with a headlock. Natalya wrenches the arm and tags in Sasha Banks. Sasha attacks her, but Summer quickly takes her down. Naomi is tagged in, and she eats a back elbow. Paige is tagged in, and she trips Naomi before kneeing her in the face. Paige connects with a high knee in the corner before Naomi stuns her with a jawbreaker. Paige quickly scoops her up and gives her a fall-away slam out of the ring. Tamina checks on Naomi, and Paige takes them out with a cannonball off the apron. Becky Lynch then takes Charlotte out at ringside.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Becky send Naomi into the ropes, but Naomi rolls her up for a one count. Becky comes back with a roll-up for a one count. They bridge up, and Tamina tags in. Becky kicks Charlotte off the apron, and Tamina pulls her out of the ring before kicking her down. Tamina slams her head off the floor before putting her in the ring for a two count. Tamina chokes her on the ropes before Naomi kicks her in the head. Tamina applies a chin lock, but Becky fights up. Tamina slams her down before tagging in Summer. Summer clotheslines her down for a one count. Summer chokes her in the corner before tagging in Naomi. Naomi stomps Becky down in the corner before hitting a weak looking corner dropkick for a two count. Naomi applies a chin lock, but Becky fights up. Naomi quickly takes her out with eat defeat. Becky then sidesteps her, and Naomi flies out of the ring. Naomi quickly gets back in to prevent a tag. Becky kicks her away and makes a tag.

Natalya and Summer are tagged in. Natalya connects with a pair of clotheslines before hitting a Russian Leg Sweep. Natalya avoids an avalanche before slamming her down on the tailbone. Natalya steps on her and dropkicks her in the face. Summer soon fights her off and connects with a spin kick. Charlotte is tagged in, and Natalya takes her out with a Discus Clothesline. All the women run in and clear each other out. Natalya counters out of the Figure Eight and applies the Sharpshooter for the win.

Winners by Submission: Natalya, Becky Lynch, Paige, and Sasha Banks
Match Rating: * 1/4

Replays are shown of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows attacking Roman Reigns earlier in the night. AJ Styles would later tell him he had nothing to do with that before saying he doesn’t need his friends to beat Reigns.

AJ Styles is seen talking with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows backstage. Elsewhere backstage, The Usos are talking with Shane McMahon.

-Commercial Break-

Primo and Epico Colon are back for another Puerto Rico hype video.

#1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament Semifinal Match
The Vaudevillains vs. The Usos

Simon Gotch will start the match against Jimmy Uso. They lock up, and Gotch powers him to the corner. Jimmy ducks a punch and chops away at him. Gotch reverses a whip, but Jimmy puts the brakes on and uppercuts him. Gotch blocks a hip toss and knees him in the face. Gotch kicks him in the face and lays him across the top turnbuckle. Aiden English is tagged in, and he punches Jimmy for a two count. English punches away at him before elbowing him in the face. English applies a chin lock, but Jimmy fights up and connects with an enzuigiri. Jey Uso is tagged in, and he floors English with a clothesline before kicking Gotch off the apron. Jey hits another clothesline before kicking him in the midsection and giving him an uppercut. Jey then connects with a Samoan Drop. Jey catches him with a running hip attack before throwing Gotch out of the ring. English rolls him up for a two count. English boots him away and leaps into a superkick, but Gotch breaks it up. Jimmy throws Gotch out of the ring and follows him out, but Gotch throws him into the barricade. Jey then wipes him out with a suicide dive. English kicks Jey in his injured shoulder and sends him into the ring post. They connect with the Whirling Dervish for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: The Vaudevillains
Match Rating: 3/4 *

The Vaudevillains will advance to the finals of the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament to face Enzo and Big Cass. This match will take place at WWE Payback.

Later tonight, Kevin Owens will face Dean Ambrose.

The commentators then lead it into a promo package about Apollo Crews.

-Commercial Break-

The Social Outcasts (minus the suspended Adam Rose) are in the ring.

Apollo Crews makes his entrance. Earlier in the night, The Social Outcasts wanted Apollo Crews to join them. Crews said he would join if one of them could beat him.

Heath Slater vs. Apollo Crews

They lock up, and Slater applies a side headlock. Crews whips him off, leapfrogs him, and dropkicks him out of the ring. The Social Outcasts regroup at ringside. Slater gets back in the ring and kicks Crews. Slater wrenches the arm, but Crews twists out and turns him inside out. Crews then gives him a delayed vertical suplex. Slater gets up in the corner and sidesteps Crews. Crews hits the ring post shoulder first and falls out of the ring. Slater rolls him back into the ring and drops a knee. Slater elbows him in the back of the neck for a one count. Slater applies a chin lock and keeps him grounded. Slater holds it on for a long time before finally picking up a one count. Slater then goes right back to the chin lock. Crews fights up and slings him off. Crews punches him down twice before powering him to the corner. Crews then floors him with a leaping back elbow. Slater quickly drops him onto the apron, but he punches him back and takes out the Social Outcasts with a standing moonsault off the apron. Crews then connects with a cross-body block, but Slater rolls through and picks up a near fall. Crews takes him out with a leaping enzuigiri and a spinning sit-out powerbomb for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Apollo Crews
Match Rating: 1/2 *

As Apollo Crews is celebrating his win, Kevin Owens’ music hits. Owens walks by him and doesn’t even look at him. He’ll face Dean Ambrose, next.

-Commercial Break-

AJ Styles will be a guest on Miz TV this Thursday on Smackdown.

Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose

The bell rings, and they start brawling and throwing punches. Ambrose puts him in the corner and stomps him down. Ambrose rakes his face against the ropes before chopping the chest. Owens turns him around and chops him, which just angers Ambrose. Ambrose chops him before turning him inside out with a knee to the midsection. Ambrose goes to the second rope and elbows him in the head a few times. Owens reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Ambrose hits the ropes, and Owens floors him with a back elbow. Owens kicks him in the back and punches him a few times. Owens then chokes him on the ropes. Owens stomps him down in the corner and taunts the relatively quiet crowd. Ambrose punches and knees away at him before Owens kicks him back. Owens takes him down with a DDT for a near fall. Owens talks a little trash before applying a chin lock. Ambrose fights up, but Owens kicks him. Ambrose hits the ropes and takes him down with a pair of forearms. Owens goes out of the ring to recover, and Ambrose floors him with a suicide dive. Ambrose puts him back in the ring, but Owens immediately rolls out. Ambrose follows him, and Owens throws him over the commentary table. Ambrose fights him back and sends him over the commentary table for good measure.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Ambrose connect with a forearm and a running bulldog. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but Owens cuts him off and ties him up in the tree of woe. Owens takes him out with a cannonball for a near fall. Owens flattens him with a senton splash for a near fall. Owens then goes to a chin lock. Ambrose fights up and punches out before jabbing and chopping him. Ambrose hits the ropes, but Owens throws him out of the ring. Owens then goes to the apron and murders him with a frog splash to the floor! Owens gets in the ring and looks for the count-out. The crowd is really dead for this. Ambrose gets in the ring before the ten count. Owens boots him in the face and chokes him with his boot. Owens applies a chin lock, but Ambrose fights up and connects with a back suplex. Owens runs into a boot, and Ambrose goes to the top rope. Owens cuts him off and goes for a superplex, but Ambrose punches him to the mat. Ambrose waits for him to get up, but Owens rolls out of the ring. Ambrose then annihilates him with an elbow drop to the floor!

Ambrose gets him into the ring, and they trade punches from their knees. Owens punches him into the ropes, and Ambrose comes back with a right hand. They continue to trade punches before Ambrose jabs and chops him. Owens elbows him back, and Ambrose rebounds with a clothesline that turns him inside out for a near fall! Owens rolls to the apron and snaps Ambrose off the top rope. Owens goes to the top rope, but Ambrose cuts him off and hits a superplex for a two count. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds, but Owens gets out and knees him. Owens goes for the Pop-up Powerbomb, but Ambrose counters with a hurricanrana. Ambrose then charges into a superkick, giving Owens a near fall. Owens cannot believe he kicked out. Owens stomps him and goes to the top rope. Ambrose gets to his feet and cuts him off. Ambrose goes for another superplex, but Owens counters and gets him on his shoulders. Ambrose goes for a superplex, but Owens counters into a swinging fisherman’s superplex for a near fall! Owens sets Ambrose up and goes to the top rope. Ambrose gets his knees up to counter the frog splash. Ambrose avoids a cannonball and rolls him up before rolling through and connecting with Dirty Deeds for the clean victory!

Winner by Pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Match Rating: ** 1/2

Replays are shown of the final moments of the match. As Ambrose celebrates in the ring, Chris Jericho blindsides him with a Codebreaker! Jericho stands over his fallen Payback opponent as the crowd boos him.

——————–

Quick Match Results

* Chris Jericho def. Sami Zayn
* Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady def. The Dudley Boyz
* Baron Corbin def. Dolph Ziggler
* Cesaro and The New Day def. The Miz and The League of Nations
* Natalya, Becky Lynch, Paige, and Sasha Banks def. Team B.A.D., Summer Rae, and Charlotte via Submission
* Apollo Crews def. Heath Slater
* Dean Ambrose def. Kevin Owens

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