The 09/10/18 edition of WWE Raw, out of the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, just wrapped up. We’ve got the WWE Raw results, as well as our overall thoughts on the show, for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about episode #1320 of WWE Raw by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
The Dogs of War Have Arrived
“@WWERomanReigns, you have your #HoundsOfJustice. I have my DOGS of WAR!” – @BraunStrowman #RAW pic.twitter.com/Y0X0Eoru2U
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
The new stable of Ziggler, Strowman, and McIntyre, dubbed by Strowman as The Dogs of War, kicked off the show by strutting to the ring with the entire heel locker room in tow. They immediately began bragging about their defeat of The Shield last week, prompting a video package to be shown highlighting the destruction. Strowman said that Reigns was a coward for having backup on demand, but vowed never to be outnumbered again. McIntyre promised that he, along with Ziggler and Strowman, would set an example for the rest of the bad guys by causing as much carnage as possible every chance they got.
The Shield had heard enough and appeared at the top of the arena to break up the villain convention. We thought they might need some help, but Dean Ambrose produced a duffle bag full of axe handles and passed them out to his brothers, who then beat down all the bad guys at ringside (except Kevin Owens, who made a speedy exit). Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre stood at the top of the ramp staring down The Shield while the rest of the heels lay incapacitated at ringside.
Backstage, Reigns, Rollins, and Ambrose were met by Constable Corbin and a group of “police officers”. Corbin said that he didn’t want any problems, but in order to avoid having them arrested, therefore stripping them of their titles, they needed to drop their weapons and leave the arena. Ambrose wasn’t too keen on the idea, but ultimately, The Shield did as they were asked.
Nikki Bella vs. Ruby Riott
SLICK offense by @RubyRiottWWE, and her fellow #RiottSquad teammates LOVE it…#RAW @YaOnlyLivvOnce @sarahloganwwe pic.twitter.com/B8zt3VhXt5
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2018
Brie Mode was in the off position for this edition of Raw, as Nikki Bella took on Ruby Riott solo. Riott is the perfect candidate to assist The Bellas in shaking off the ring rust after being away for so long. Ruby held control throughout the majority of the match, but when Liv Morgan attempted to interfere to seal the deal, Brie Bella pulled her away, allowing Nikki Bella to score a last-minute victory.
Winner: Nikki Bella
AoP vs. Boom Bros
The PAIN has begun…#RAW @Akam_WWE @Rezar_WWE pic.twitter.com/BagS3QaPO6
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Before the match, newly appointed manager of AoP, Drake Maverick, gave Akam and Rezar a pep talk backstage, assuring them that, under his direction, they would never be overlooked again.
Continuing their path of destruction toward the Raw tag titles, AoP demolished the two local competitors with ease.
Winner: AoP
Bow Down to The King
#TheGame @TripleH‘s mission for #WWESSD in Melbourne, Australia is simple:
PUT. THE UNDERTAKER. DOWN. #RAW pic.twitter.com/Ev9vgsPbGc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2018
Triple H came to the ring to discuss his upcoming match against The Undertaker at Super Showdown in Melbourne, Australia. He said that he lost all respect for Taker when The Phenom proved that he was not on The Game’s level, as he allowed others’ opinions to affect him. Because of this, all bets are off – Triple H will hold nothing back in his quest to defeat The Undertaker once and for all.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre (c) vs. The B-Team
Raw Tag Team Championship Rematch
Doublin’ up on the damage are @HEELZiggler & @DMcIntyreWWE…#RAW #TagTeamTitles pic.twitter.com/qAn4Psm8OZ
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Eager to recapture their tag titles, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel came to the ring prepared for a fight. The B-Team had the match under control by keeping McIntyre at bay, taking turns wearing down Ziggler. Unfortunately for Dallas and Axel, McIntyre got the hot tag, beating down his opponents with the lack of mercy promised earlier.
The B-Team picked up steam toward the end, almost pulling off a win, but were eventually defeated by a ZigZag//Claymore combination.
After the match, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins arrived on the scene, chasing away the tag champs.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre
Who’s Going to Jail?
“I’m gonna call you next time I’m in jail.” – @TheDeanAmbrose #RAW pic.twitter.com/bC5BW7pp73
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Backstage, Baron Corbin confronted Rollins and Ambrose about coming back to the arena after they were asked to leave. Corbin threatened to have them arrested, but they argued that, as Roman Reigns wasn’t involved, technically The Shield hadn’t returned, just Rollins and Ambrose.
Rollins then upped the ante by threatening to have Corbin put in jail for filing a false police report in order to have The Shield arrested, even producing the sheriff of the New Orleans PD. After having some words in private with Corbin, Rollins and Ambrose agreed to not press charges against the Constable.
Kevin Owens vs. Tyler Breeze
WHY, OWENS, WHY?!@FightOwensFight just laid WASTE to @MmmGorgeous before their match could even begin on #RAW… pic.twitter.com/G2YsCRI4fD
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Kevin Owens did not come to play nicely and attacked Tyler Breeze during his signature Prince Pretty pose. After powerbombing Breeze into the apron, Owens grabbed a microphone. He said that he was begged to come back after quitting a few weeks ago, and as such, should be allowed to do whatever he wanted without consequence. Furthermore, those injured by Owens’ actions should blame Bobby Lashley, not him. Lashley put his partner, Sami Zayn, out of commission, and he was out for blood. Owens plans to bring nothing but anarchy, agony, and destruction, and it is all Lashley’s fault.
Bobby Roode and Chad Gable vs. The Ascension
#TheAscension is on the receiving end of MORE suplexes courtesy of @WWEGable! #RAW pic.twitter.com/8zf3fcMuEp
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2018
Roode and Gable got the win over The Ascension after a quick match. Chad Gable was absolutely the star of the show, getting the most offense by far out of the four competitors. The new tag team of Roode and Gable is a little strange, but we’re all for Gable getting some time in the ring, so we’re keeping an open mind. On top of that, it was hinted that we are most likely headed toward a Roode/Gable feud rather than a long-term partnership.
Winner: Bobby Roode and Chad Gable
Corbin Has an Announcement
Per Acting General Manager @BaronCorbinWWE, @HEELZiggler & @DMcIntyreWWE WILL defend the #RAW #TagTeamTitles at @WWE #HIAC this Sunday…against @WWERollins & @TheDeanAmbrose! pic.twitter.com/5cYp4Hny5k
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
The Dogs of War were having a meeting backstage when Baron Corbin cut in. Ziggler wasted no time expressing their displeasure in the fact that Corbin was unable to rid them of The Shield and hoped that he had some good news for them.
Corbin did have news, but it was that Ziggler and McIntyre would be facing The Shield at Hell in a Cell with their tag titles on the line.
Natalya and Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James
HART ATTACK from @RondaRousey & @NatbyNature! #RAW pic.twitter.com/8PSVDb6SVT
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Alexa and Natalya started things off in fairly evenly matched competition, but once Mickie James tagged in, Natalya and Ronda went to work wearing her down. However, Mickie and Alexa got their revenge by doing the exact same thing to Natalya.
Getting the upper hand caused Alexa Bliss to get a little too excited and she smacked Ronda Rousey in the face as Rousey stood on the apron. Ronda did not take the insult lightly and chased Bliss down, helping Natalya slam her with a Hart Attack.
This was Rousey’s most competitive match yet, at one point she “injured” her ribs, which only gave James and Bliss a target. Although Rousey did win the match for her team by tap out, Bliss got the last laugh with a kick to her ribs while she celebrated.
During their post-match interview, Ronda Rousey said that whether her ribs were injured or not was irrelevant – even on her worst day, she’s the best.
Winner: Natalya and Ronda Rousey
Elias Gets a Surprise Visitor
Believe it or not, @IAmEliasWWE was a child once, and 20 years ago, he WITNESSED @RealMickFoley‘s infamous #HellInACell match against The #Undertaker! #RAW pic.twitter.com/S3Jnw3Upbh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2018
Elias sat on his stool, prepared at long last, to get through an entire song (after insulting the New Orleans crowd), when the famous car crash hit and Mick Foley made his way to the ring.
The Drifter insulted Foley by calling him a broken man, saying that his legendary fall from the cell destroyed him. Foley said that he requested to be involved in a match at Hell in a Cell – and Stephanie McMahon laughed in his face. He then cut a promo about his match with Taker that you honestly need to see to fully appreciate and concluded by screaming in Elias’ face that he was the special guest referee for the Universal Championship match between Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns.
He turned to leave but Elias finally went too far with his verbal jabs. Foley came back to the ring and revealed that Stephanie McMahon had given him permission to set a match for the evening and he was cashing in the opportunity by pitting Elias against Finn Bálor.
Elias vs. Finn Bálor
Simply EXTRAORDINARY.#RAW @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/KlJk2gB68q
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2018
Elias was clearly determined not to be taken off guard with a match and defeated and went after Bálor with ruthless aggression. Bálor refused to stay down and it paid off, as he took the victory with a roll up.
Winner: Finn Bálor
The Search for Reigns Continues
OFF THE STAGE THEY GO!#RAW @WWERomanReigns @BraunStrowman pic.twitter.com/J0UvXCjvr3
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2018
Since the moment he left the meeting with Baron Corbin, Braun Strowman was on the hunt for Roman Reigns. He threw equipment, rag-dolled backstage workers, and demanded to know the whereabouts of The Big Dog from everyone he encountered. Eventually, he ran into Charlie Caruso, who suggested he go to the ring, as Reigns would probably meet him there.
Strowman took her advice and screamed for Roman once he got to the ring. When Reigns didn’t immediately respond, Braun called him a coward and began describing what he planned to do to him, and anyone else who got in his way, at Hell in a Cell.
Roman Reigns arrived just in time for Braun Strowman to give him those hands. But, just when it appeared as though Reigns didn’t stand a chance, he somehow gathered the strength to Samoan Drop Strowman off a table and through the floor, standing tall with the Universal Championship to close the show.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #RAW
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) September 11, 2018