9/26 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL’S Complete Live TV Report

WWE Raw TV Report
September 26, 2016 – Episode #1,218
Live in Cincinnati, Ohio
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

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Raw Line-up

• Week 10 of the Brand Split – Raw run by Stephanie McMahon & Mick Foley
• New U.S. champion Roman Reigns vs. Rusev in a Clash of Champions title re-match to start the show
• New Day vs. The Club for the Raw Tag Titles
• CW champion T.J. Perkins to make Raw TV in-ring debut
• Highlight Reel: Chris Jericho with Universal champion Kevin Owens
• Sheamus vs. Cesaro to settle Best-of-Seven series?
• Raw Women’s champion Charlotte addresses the fans
• Clash of Champions fall-out

***

Raw opened with Roman Reigns’s music playing to bring out the new U.S. champion after beating Rusev at Clash of Champions last night. Rusev was already in the ring just itching to get this re-match going. Lana was sneering down at ringside while Reigns paused at ringside to smile back into the ring. Reigns kept making Rusev wait before entering the ring for the title match.

1 — U.S. champion ROMAN REIGNS vs. RUSEV (w/Lana) — United States Title match

Rusev tried a new strategy tonight by wrestling Reigns down to the mat and slowing the pace trying to wear down the new champion. Rusev continued to work over Reigns’s back with methodically-paced offense before Reigns sidestepped the challenger and delivered repeated corner clotheslines.

Reigns tried to follow with a lift-up powerbomb, but his back gave out on him. So, Rusev knocked Reigns out of the ring to the floor. Reigns sold back pain on the floor heading to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:09]

Raw returned with Rusev standing over Reigns in the ring. Rusev continued to wear down Reigns, but he could not secure a three count. Rusev mounted Reigns and pounded his face with right hand strikes, drawing a reprimand from the referee.

[Q2] Reigns finally fought back with a clothesline, putting both men on the mat. Reigns delivered a customary uppercut and clothesline combination, then another clothesline. Reigns delivered a big boot, then looked into the crowd looking to get some support. It was mixed, then Reigns charged Rusev for a Superman Punch, but Rusev caught Reigns and both men tumbled over the top rope to the floor. Raw cut to break with both men down on the outside.

[Commercial Break at 8:18]

Immediately back from break, Rusev covered Reigns for a close two count. The match continued with Reigns and Rusev trading bombs on their feet. Rusev then rocked Reigns with a leg kick for a close two count. He just didn’t have a solution to the problem of pinning Reigns, who continued to escape pin attempts.

Rusev stomped and stomped looking to give Reigns a running bicycle kick, but Reigns ducked. Reigns then bounced off the ropes, but he ran right into a sidekick for a close two count. Rusev was beside himself unable to put away the new champ. Then, he ran right into a Superman Punch from Reigns, who made a cover for a two count.

Reigns sprung to his feet looking to deliver a big spear, but Lana got on the ring apron. Reigns shook off the distraction, knocked Rusev to the floor, and nailed his two-foot dropkick to Rusev’s face. Reigns smashed Rusev over the guardrail into the front row, then Rusev started leaving. Meanwhile, the referee was counting in the ring. Rusev and Reigns brawled through the crowd and the ref hit a 10-count.

WINNER: Double count-out at 25:34; Reigns retained the U.S. Title. 26 agonizing minutes of Reigns selling for that result carrying over from Clash of Champions?

[Q3] Post-match, Rusev smashed Reigns over the guardrail back to the ringside area. Rusev smashed Reigns into the barricade, then tried to whip him into another section of the barricade, but Reigns reversed and Rusev ate the structure. Reigns tried to smash Rusev with a Superman Punch, but Rusev caught him with a steel chair out of nowhere. Rusev smashed the chair across Reigns’s back, then tossed him back into the ring. But, Reigns speared Rusev out of nowhere, sending the chair flying into the air and dropping to the mat. Reigns smirked to a mix of boos and cheers, then picked up the U.S. Title belt.

Reigns decided he was not done, though, and picked up the chair. Reigns thought about smashing Rusev, but instead he sat down in the chair to boos. Reigns then unfolded the title belt and held it up in the air. Reigns’s music played to signal the end of the segment, but then when Rusev started moving, Reigns stood up from the chair and cracked it across Rusev’s back. Reigns posed with the title belt as Rusev and Lana retreated up the ring entrance to the back.

Announcers: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Corey Graves were shown on-camera to reset the show and plug the new WWE 2K17 video game. Saxton name-dropped Goldberg and Brock Lesnar in the game. Graves fed to the video game trailer that debuted last night at Clash of Champions focusing on Suplex City (with a cameo by the released Alberto Del Rio).

Still to come: New Day vs. The Club in a Tag Title re-match following up on Clash of Champions.

Backstage: Mick Foley was shown walking down the hallway. Foley will address the Sheamus vs. Cesaro Match #7 non-finish at the Clash.

[Commercial Break at 8:36]

Back from break, moderator Mick Foley was in the ring to discuss Cesaro vs. Sheamus ending without a winner at the Clash last night. Foley said the Best-of-Seven Series ended in a Draw. (boos) So, what he would like to do is invite both men down to the ring. First, Sheamus, then Cesaro.

Sheamus limped down to the ring with his right elbow taped up. Sheamus gingerly entered the ring, then Cesaro was introduced dressed in his James Bond suit. Cesaro removed it to indicate he’s ready to wrestle, while also taped up from head to head.

Foley started to address things, but Sheamus cut him off. Sheamus said Foley said the man who was most physically dominant would get a title opportunity. This turned into a verbal insult battle, then Sheamus demanded Foley declare him the most physically dominant of the Series. Cesaro argued that he was the last man standing in the ring last night, while Sheamus was scurrying away from ringside.

[Q4] Moderator Mick had enough of their arguing and declared that Sheamus is right. Huh? What? And so is Cesaro. “You’re both right,” Foley said. He said he cannot pick a winner and loser from the Series. So, after thinking about this for a long time, he is going to grant both of them title shots. Foley said they will be sharing the same title opportunity. Triple threat WWE Title match? No, Foley said they are going after the WWE Tag Titles. Both men flipped out about that decision.

Foley said they will team up to challenge the winner of the following match for the Raw Tag Titles at a future time.

Out came Raw tag champs New Day to dance and celebrate while Cesaro and Sheamus angrily left the ring. The Club was out next to challenge for the Tag Titles. They glared at Cesaro and Sheamus on the way to the ring before Raw cut to break.

[Commercial Break at 8:49]

2 — Raw tag champions NEW DAY (BIG E. & KOFI KINGSTON w/Xavier Woods) vs. THE CLUB (KARL ANDERSON & LUKE GALLOWS) — WWE Raw Tag Title match

The match was joined in progress with New Day working on Anderson in their corner. The tag champs quickly stomped a mudhole in Anderson as Xavier worked the trombone. Gallows had enough and yanked Big E. off the ring apron before intimidating Xavier. Anderson then knocked Kofi to the outside and Gallows promptly clotheslined Kingston to the floor.

Anderson rolled Kofi back into the ring for a two count. The Club took the match over as Raw cut to a break.

[Commercial Break at 8:55]

Raw returned one minute before the top of the hour with Kofi trying to break free of Anderson to tag in Big E., but Anderson dropped him with a powerbomb for a two count.

[Q5 — second hour] Hot tag to Big E., who dropped Anderson with consecutive belly-to-belly suplexes, tributing Bayley, of course. Kofi then wiped out Gallows on the outside. Back in the ring, Anderson tried a roll-up with a hook of the tights, but Big E. kicked out. Big then airballed a corner attack and smashed his shoulder into the ringpost. Anderson nearly got a three count on the follow-up.

Tag to Kofi, leading to the “Midnight Hour” combination of Big Ending and top-rope splash. But, Gallows broke up the pin on Anderson. Chaos broke out moments later, then Anderson delivered a leaping neckbreaker from the top rope. Tag to Gallows. The Club dropped Big with the Magic Killer, but Kofi broke up the pin at the last second.

Chaos broke out again with Kofi bleeding profusely from his forehead after eating the ring steps. Kofi then caught Anderson with Trouble in Paradise out of nowhere. Kofi covered Anderson for the pin and the win.

Post-match, there was blood everywhere as the dust settled from the match. Gallows helped Anderson out of the ring while Kofi was checked by the medical staff. Xavier eventually rolled an injured Big E. into the ring to stand tall together in the ring after doing war with The Club again.

WINNERS: New Day at 11:05 to retain the Raw Tag Titles. Really believable nearfalls at the end where it looked like Club was finally going to win the belts, but New Day showed some toughness and resiliency without needing to cheat to win and retain. Really good match, setting aside Club falling short again and again and again.

Last Night: After the PPV ended, Stephanie McMahon was greeted in the parking garage by her husband, Triple H. They seemed to be on the same page about everything going well at the Clash PPV.

Announcers: Saxton said something looks fishy after Stephanie maintained over and over that she did not know Hunter was going to help Kevin Owens and cost Seth Rollins the Universal Title a month ago.

Earlier Today: Seth Rollins underwent X-Rays for injured ribs suffered against Owens last night. Cole said Rollins is not medically cleared to wrestle tonight.

Still to come: Kevin Owens on the Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho.

[Commercial Break at 9:09]

Locker Room: Cesaro and Sheamus were arguing with each other. Sheamus, sporting a WM32 Texas zipper jacket, yelled at Cesaro that he won’t team with him. Mick Foley walked in to stop the argument. He said he, Michael Hayes, and Arn Anderson had tears in their eyes watching them go at it last night. Foley said he can’t risk putting them in an eighth match and tear each other up to potentially lose one from the roster. He said they are magical in the ring together. Trust me. Just try it and see how well you work together.

[Q6] In-ring: Bayley’s music played to bring out Bayley for Women’s Division action. Bayley did her full ring introduction while her opponent, Anna Fields, was waiting in the ring.

3 — BAYLEY vs. ANNA FIELDS

Anna jumped Bayley as soon as the bell sounded. Bayley fought back with a running clothesline, then nailed Bayley-t0-Belly suplex for a pin and the win. Bayley seemed relieved to finally show that she’s capable of winning.

Post-match, Tom Phillips asked Bayley about coming up just a little short in the Raw Women’s Title match last night. Bayley said Charlotte and Sasha Banks proved they are the top women’s wrestlers in this industry, but she will be coming for the Women’s Title in the future. Bayley vowed to go on this journey with the fans and never stop until she’s hugging the title.

WINNER: Bayley at 2:06.

Authority’s Offie: Stephanie McMahon was texting. Mick Foley walked in, surprising Stephanie. Foley said he feels like a fool right now because he believed in Stephanie, but then he saw what happened last night. Steph claimed she was answering Hunter’s question of how the PPV went, not how the main event went. Steph then yelled at Foley for not over-seeing the main event. She also yelled at Foley for accusing her of being wrong when she had to cover for Foley not doing his job. So, what do you have to say for yourself? Foley muttered something under his breath. She told Foley to prove that he is worthy of the GM job. “Be a businessman!” Steph shouted at Foley, then reminded Foley to never forget who he’s working for. Foley quietly walked away.

Up Next: The Cruiserweights are in tag action with Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado & Drew Gulak.

[Commercial Break at 9:23]

Back from break, Cole boasted about not being able to see this on Smackdown Live. Out came Rich Swann doing his full ring introduction dancing for the crowd. Cedric Alexander was out next and WWE cut to an inset promo from the duo talking about their tag match. Drew Gulak was out next, which produced a CWC video package on Gulak’s background. Gulak threw up the Catch Point hand signal before Lince Dorado was introduced as his tag partner.

[Q7]

4 — CEDRIC ALEXANDER & RICH SWANN vs. DREW GULAK & LINCE DORADO

The two teams met in the middle of the ring to shake hands before the opening bell. Swann and Dorado started things off. The match quickly broke down, then Dorado wiped out everyone on the floor with a moonsault. Raw cut to break with Dorado standing tall on the outside.

[Commercial Break at 9:32]

Back from break, Gulak was working on Rich Swann with a mat attack. Hot tag to Alexander, who smashed Gulak with a leaping kick to the head. Alexander then climbed to the ring apron to nail a springboard clothesline for a two count. Dorado tried to get involved, but Alexander dropped him with a gasp-inducing Lumbar Check. Gulak responded with a Saito Suplex.

The fast pace continued with Swann smashing Gulak in the face with a swift kick. Swann then rolled up Gulak, bridged over him into a pinning situation, and scored the three count on Gulak. Afterwards, Swann and Anderson celebrated in the ring, then got their hands raised in the ring.

WINNERS: Alexander & Swann at 8:12. WWE tried to create a reason for Anderson & Swann to form a duo, but there was none for Gulak & Dorado, reinforcing concern about how WWE would handle the Cruiserweights on Raw by just randomly throwing guys in the ring. The overall presentation feels off with the trio of announcers being jokey about the division; it really needs to be on Smackdown.

Backstage: Cesaro and Sheamus walked down the hallway. They tried to one-up each other by walking in front of the other as they walked.

[Commercial Break at 9:42. WWE & USA aired a lengthy WWE Network video followed by a “WWE 2K17” trailer. The two videos were pretty lengthy taking up half of a long commercial break.]

[Q8] In-ring: Cesaro’s music played back from break. Cesar0 was in the middle of removing his James Bond suit when Sheamus’s music interrupted. Sheamus smugly walked past Cesaro on the way to the ring. Already in the ring was an enhancement tag team.

5 — CESARO & SHEAMUS vs. NICK CUTLER  & WILLIS WILLIAMS

Cesaro started the match against Nick Cutler, which allowed Cole to get in a Jay Cutler joke. Cesaro showed off with a delayed vertical suplex, then tried to tag in Sheamus, but Sheamus dropped off the ring apron and laughed. Cesaro eventually slap-tagged Sheamus into the match. The other guy, Willis Williams, tagged in and took punishment, which allowed Cole to get in a “Whatcha talking ’bout, Willis?” line.

Cesaro and Sheamus stalled forever before finally knocking down both men and arguing over who should get the win. Cesaro pinned Cutler for the win. Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus posed in opposite corners trying to one-up each other.

WINNERS: Cesaro & Sheamus at 3:30. The top thing accomplished by this match was reinforcing Cole’s tendency to sound really lame.

Video Package: Cruiserweight champion T.J. Perkins makes his Raw TV in-ring debut tonight.

Backstage: Tom Phillips brought in Perkins to discuss his Raw debut. Perkins said this title is a dream come true. And here is – about to compete on Raw. Perkins said as much as he dreamed about this moment, he never thought that he would see — that. In walked Brian Kendrick. Kendrick asked Perkins whether it feels good to have his dream come true and deprive him of that title. Kendrick claimed the title was resurrected for him. He said he owes him for his career. Perkins wanted to get revenge for Kendrick’s post-match headbutt after Clash of Champions last night. Kendrick told him to calm down, then vowed to make Perkins wake up from his dream next time they meet.

Backstage: Women’s champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke were shown walking down the hallway. Charlotte has the top-of-the-third-hour promo segment.

[Commercial Break at 9:56]

Exterior Shot: Raw is in Cincinnati tonight.

Women’s Division Promo Segment

[Q9 — third hour] Charlotte was introduced to the ring along with Dana Brooke. Charlotte declared herself queen of the Women’s Division. Charlotte went on about knocking down each new competitor who comes to Raw. She is not the huggable Bayley or darling Sasha Banks, but the money-maker and face of the division.

Sasha Banks’s music interrupted to bring out The Boss for the rebuttal. Sasha said Charlotte pinned Bayley, not her, last night, so she wants her one-on-one re-match right here, right now. The crowd broke into “Yes!” chants. Charlotte told the peasants to be quiet because she is talking.

Charlotte told Sasha that she is a living legend in her own mind, but she is much better than the superstar she thinks she is. Charlotte paused, then said she will give Sasha what she wants. She will give her the title match. Dana was confused. Charlotte said it will be next week. Oh, haha! Charlotte gave it up for Sasha continuing to come back for more, but next week in Los Angeles — Sasha cut her off and said she will win back the Women’s Title and be the face of the division.

Both Sasha and Charlotte threw down their mics, then Sasha slapped Charlotte across the face. Dana charged Sasha, who put Dana in the Bank Statement. Charlotte broke it up, but Sasha discarded both from the ring. Cole said he hopes Foley makes the title match official for next week at the Staples Center.

Still to come: Chris Jericho hosts the Highlight Reel with Universal champion Kevin Owens.

Backstage: Seth Rollins was shown in the hallway. Cole got excited about Rollins arriving at the building despite not being medically cleared.

[Commercial Break at 10:08]

Backstage: Seth Rollins was still walking around the hallway. He stopped at Mick Foley, who asked Seth how he’s doing. Seth said he will be fine soon enough. He vowed to interrupt the Highlight Reel tonight. Foley said now is not the time or the place. Seth said he doesn’t care about Foley’s rules or requests. He said all he knows is he saw Stephanie get in that limo with Triple H and he will not listen to Owens dog him tonight. Foley tried to protest, but Seth said all he hears are Steph’s words coming out of his mouth, so don’t try to stop me.

In-ring: T.J. Perkins’s video game music and ring entrance brought out the Cruiserweight champion. Perkins entered the ring, then WWE plugged Perkins vs. Kendrick for the CW Title next week in Los Angeles in Perkins’s hometown. Tony Nese was introduced as Perkins’s opponent. This is a surreal show with Gulak and Nese on Raw. A video package on Nese preceded the match.

[Q10]

6 — Cruiserweight champion T.J. PERKINS vs. TONY NESE — non-title match

The two men shook hands before the bell, then backed off to their corners for the opening bell. Graves compared Nese to Neville, who has suddenly disappeared from Raw TV. Nese overpowered Perkins with his size and strength advantage early on.

But, Perkins caught Nese in the kneebar. Nese quickly got the bottom rope for a break. Nese, identified as the Premiere Athlete, took control heading to commercial.

[Commercial Break at 10:18]

Raw returned with Perkins and Nese battling on the mat. Back on their feet, Perkins trapped Nese in an octopus submission, but Nese kicked free into a slam. Perkins nailed an atomic drop into a leg whip as the crowd picked up a “C-M Punk” chant, which got booed by another section of the crowd.Perkins nailed a chicken wing gutbuster for a two count.

Perkins nailed a chicken wing gutbuster for a two count. He followed with a back drop suplex before climbing to the top turnbuckle, but Nese rolled to his feet and slapped TJP in the face. Nese wanted a top-rope superplex, but Perkins blocked. TJP could not follow up, allowing Nese to suplex him for a two count.

Perkins then dropkicked Nese to the middle rope, leading to his fallaway kick strike to the face. Perkins then applied his kneebar submission and Nese was forced to tap out. Both men quickly gathered in the middle of the ring for Perkins to get his hand raised.

WINNER: Perkins via submission at 8:48. The CWC tournament set such a high bar for the division that it was inevitable it would feel watered-down in front of the general audience in a big arena setting with newly-introduced characters on a Raw show that feels like the complete opposite of the tournament. The key is how will the division look & feel two, three, five months from now after the intro period.

Video Package: Pedro Morales was recognized as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Up Next: The Highlight Reel.

[Commercial Break at 10:27]

[Q12] THE NEWS: Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks for the Women’s Title and TJP vs. Brian Kendrick for the CW Title next week on Raw from Los Angeles.

Highlight Reel

Chris Jericho’s music played to bring out Jericho with his clipboard. WWE cut to a social media video of Ashton Kutcher responding to Jericho calling him out last week. Kutcher and Danny Masterson said they will be on Raw next week in L.A. to fight Jericho and Kevin Owens.

In the ring, Jericho asked for quiet. He did not get it, so he yelled for more quiet. He then called out Kutcher and Masterson to set up next week’s deal. Jericho vowed to put them on The List of Jericho next week.

Jericho was ready to get down to business, but then he stopped to yell at the cameraman for shooting him from the wrong side. Jericho was really stretching to get to the end of the hour.

Jericho called out Seth Rollins for getting hurt again. He said he has been here for 15 years and claimed to have never gotten hurt. And who injured him? His best friend and guest tonight, The Champ Kevin Owens.

Owens marched down to the ring and gave Jericho a big hug. Owens received the mic and looked up at the Jeritron 5000. They marveled at the TV, then Jericho got down to business about mediocrity being accepted as excellence these days. But, last night, Owens showed what a champion should really look like.

Owens took a side-note to say usually he would wear his suit on Raw, but this is Cincinnati. And Cincy produced that bum, Dean Ambrose. Jericho said he’s still owed money from Dean, to which Owens said he’ll never see that money. Owens then cut a passionate promo about being The Man, not Seth Rollins.

This brought out Rollins dressed in street clothes. Agents and security spilled out to restrain Rollins from entering the ring. Adam Pearce and Finlay tried to calm down Rollins as Owens taunted Seth. Rollins walked up the entrance ramp, then stomped away to the back.

Back to Owens and Jericho by themselves. Suddenly, Enzo Amore & Big Cass’s music played. No Sami Zayn here apparently. Enzo and Cass posed on the stage as Owens and Jericho sold annoyance in the ring. Enzo did his standard intro, then Cass called out Owens and Jericho, getting their names on the list.

Cass insulted Jericho’s list being like a lame version of Santa Claus. Jericho got a little carried away and vowed to go sit on their laps!, like Santa, trying to insult them. Big Cass paused, then asked what did he just say? Jericho paused and said he didn’t say anything. They argued over whether Jericho said what he said, then Jericho came up with a new answer that he said he was going to punch Cass in the face. Cass then polled the crowd on whether Jericho said he was going to sit on his lap.

[Q12] Owens shouted that none of this matters, and he will punch Enzo and Cass right in the face. Jericho backed up Owens, saying he would punch them in the face, too, but they don’t have a match tonight. Cass said that’s funny because they passed Mick Foley in the hallway and he informed them that they have a match. And it’s next right here in Cincinnati, Ohio.

[Commercial Break at 10:47]

Next Monday: TJP vs. Kendrick for the CW Title and Charlotte vs. Sasha for the Raw Women’s Title.

7 — Universal champion KEVIN OWENS & CHRIS JERICHO vs. ENZO AMORE & BIG CASS

The bell sounded back from break, but Jericho paused to slowly remove his scarf and wrestle in his rocker pants and boots with kneepads. Jericho started off against Enzo, who landed an early dropkick and armdrag for a one count. Jericho crawled towards Owens’s lap to find a safe place, then Owens tagged in.

Owens, dressed in a track suit, sauntered over to the face corner and said he wants to face Cass. So, Cass tagged in and quickly discarded Owens to the floor. Cass then tossed a charging Jericho out of the ring. Cass followed up by press-slamming Enzo over the top rope to splash the heels on the floor.

Back in the ring, Jericho and Cass traded control of the match. Jericho then slipped Cass to the floor and Owens bounced Cass’s head off the ringpost. Raw cut to its final break with the heels in control.

[Commercial Break at 10:56]

Back from break, the heels isolated Enzo and wore him down while talking trash to Cass, the crowd, and anyone else who would listen. Owens mixed in a Running Man dance to mock Enzo.

[Q13 — over-run] The crowd became restless as the heels continued to wear down Enzo. Owens delivered a running senton splash to Enzo’s mid-section to score a two count. Owens yelled at the ref for it not being a three count, then went back to wearing down Enzo. Jericho tagged back in and tried to wake up the crowd with some trash-talk.

Hot tag to Cass, who cleaned house. Big boot to a flying Jericho, then a bodyslam to Owens. Empire Elbow to Owens. Cass missed a Stinger Splash on Owens, though, and Owens nailed him with a superkick. But, Cass responded with a big boot to the face. Cass tried to launch Enzo off the top rope, but Jericho cut him off. Cass and Jericho then went spilling to the floor.

It was down to Owens and Cass, who scored a close two count on a flying DDT. Owens, angered, scooped up Enzo for a massive powerbomb in the middle of the ring. Owens pinned Enzo for the win.

Post-match, the trademarks quickly flashed on the screen. No sign of Seth Rollins. Owens stood tall with the title belt and celebrated with Jericho before walking across Enzo’s chest. Raw signed off nine minutes past the top of the hour with a shot of Owens and Jericho the victors in the ring.

WINNERS: Owens & Jericho at 16:30. No Rollins, no Sami Zayn, it was up to Enzo & Cass to deliver some babyface magic against the default top heels on the Raw roster. The crowd was unmoved, though, with Enzo & Cass recently shifted to a lower-card feud against Shining Stars. WWE can blame injuries for throwing off the booking, but Raw lacks a clear, definitive lead babyface. Seth still feels too much like a crybabyface and his chase for the Universal Title is still marred by the cloud hanging over matters of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon’s involvement.

***

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***

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