HEYDORN’S WWE RAW REPORT 9/2: Alt Perspective coverage of the live show including second round King of the Ring tournament action, the return of Rey Mysterio, and more

HEYDORN’S WWE RAW REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2, 2019
BALTIMORE, MD
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young

[HOUR ONE]

-The show opened with Braun Strowman hitting the ring to a big pop from the Baltimore audience. As Strowman walked to the ring, Corey Graves discussed the busy night in store for Braun at Clash Of Champions. While he posed in the ring, Graves and Young debated whether or not Strowman and Rollins would be able to stay on the same page as partners with their Universal Championship match hanging over them.

Heydorn’s Analysis: I like the announce team selling the narrative of this match. It forces the audience to get clued in on the exact story told so that Strowman and Rollins can build on top of it during the segment. Good stuff from Graves and Young. 

Once Strowman’s music faded, Seth Rollins hit the ring to a big reaction as well. He walked to the ring for his Universal Championship contract signing with his tag team partner. Like Strowman, the announce team discussed Seth’s big night at Clash Of Champions as well. Once Rollins got into the ring, he and Strowman sat at the table with Michael Cole standing above them. From there, Cole got the signing going and asked Seth how he and Braun could function as a team. Rollins said he’s defended two titles before and he’d do it again. He said he was confident he and Strowman could beat Ziggler and Roode to retain their tag titles. He then said that he still planned on walking out of Clash Of Champions as a double champ. Strowman spoke next and agreed that he and Seth would beat Roode and Ziggler. He then said it would be awkward though when Seth’s tag team partner beats him to become the Universal Champion. In response, Rollins said it would be awkward, but that he had to let him in on a secret. He told Braun that he likes having him as a partner because he is a monster. He then said that to win the Universal Championship he already beat a beast which Braun Strowman never could do. He then said that he would slay a monster at Clash Of Champions to keep his title. From there, Rollins signed the contract.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Short and sweet from Rollins, but it worked. He appeared confident, but also as a competitor who would take on all comers. In addition, the way he framed his win against Brock Lesnar opposite Strowman’s loss adds and element of competitive alpha male fuel to the rivalry among teammates. Well done. Will be interesting to see how Strowman frames that same loss. All in, it’s a nice foundation for a story between both men.

As he did, A.J. Styles hit the ring with the O.C. Styles arrogantly walked out and called the matches involving Strowman and Rollins cute. Michael Cole told them not to interrupt the signing. Styles ignored Cole and questioned why Strowman got the first shot at Seth’s title. Styles said that by proxy, the United States Champion should be first in line for a shot at the Universal Title. Styles made fun of the fact that Strowman simply looked at the title to earn a title shot. Styles continued to rant about the fact that Ziggler and Roode got phony title shots. He said they weren’t even a real team before saying that if the good brothers don’t get what they want and he doesn’t get what he wants, nobody would get what they wanted. Those three proceeded to enter the ring and Cole yelled at them for doing so. Rollins and Strowman stood up to fight them and instead, Styles ripped up the Universal Championship contract. Styles tossed the ripped pages in the air and in response, Strowman tossed the table up at him. From there, the brawl ensued between the five men as the show went to commercial break. (c)

Heydorn’s Analysis: If the match at Clash Of Champions as a triple threat match, or really anything that involved A.J. Styles, this would have worked. The match is between Rollins and Strowman though. There needed to be more heat there. Rollins talked a nice bit of babyface alpha trash against Strowman and because of Styles, Strowman didn’t get a chance to comeback. For this program to be successful, Rollins and Strowman need to tell a story about them as friends, partners, and opponents. That’s an intricate web and this promo with Styles didn’t allow for that story to flourish. 

(1) SETH ROLLINS & BRAUN STROWMAN vs. THE O.C. w/A.J. Styles

Out of the break, the action was already underway as Cole proclaimed that this impromptu match started during commercials. Rollins took control early until Luke Gallows battled back to turn the tides. As he did, Braun Strowman tagged himself into the ring much to Seth’s dismay and anger.

Heydorn’s Analysis: A simple road for feuding tag teams that we’ve seen countless times in WWE. Was hoping for more than just this between Rollins and Strowman. Time will tell. 

From there, the action continued with Strowman getting the upper hand and Rollins tagging back in. Rollins built some momentum, but then was hit illegally by Styles. Strowman ran over to avenge the illegal move, but was stopped by the referee. As Strowman was forced back to his corner, the show went to break. (c)

Out of the break, the action continued with Rollins battle Gallows in the middle of the ring. Both men exchanged punches until Seth hit Gallows with a step up enziguri. With Gallows down, Rollins tried to make the tag to Strowman, but he was stopped by Anderson. Eventually, Rollins made the hot tag to Strowman. Strowman cleared house and crushed by Gallows and Anderson with a series of different offensive moves. From there, Strowman attempted a running shoulder tackle, but Anderson moved out of the way. Strowman crashing into the ring post, but Rollins made a blind tag. As the legal man, Seth entered the match and attempted the Stomp, but was stopped by Styles. From there, Anderson rolled Seth up for a pin, but Rollins reversed it into his own pin for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Rollins and Strowman via pinfall

-After the match, Styles attacked Rollins. Rollins battled back and took the fight to the entire O.C. Strowman got in on the action as well and hit anything that moved with a running shoulder tackle. In his offensive rage, he also clocked Rollins. With Rollins down, Strowman looked dismayed and upset. At that point, Roode and Ziggler hit the ring. They beat up Strowman along with the O.C. as Rollins laid ringside injured. All five men destroyed Strowman and then destroyed Rollins as well. With Rollins down, Strowman stirred, but the five heels dropped him again. They hit him with the Magic Killer before Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm. From there, Styles and his crew celebrated over the fallen babyfaces. As they did, Cole and Young hyped the rest of Raw as the show went to break. (c)

Heydorn’s Analysis: Decent match top to bottom. As for the angle, on one hand it was a lot of the same. One babyface tag team partner hitting his babyface partner by mistake. Been there done that. The ensuing beatdown was effective in presenting Roode, Ziggler, and the entire O.C as more menacing and dangerous as usual. In addition, past history would tell us that Rollins would walk off or ignore his partner after getting hit by him. That didn’t happen here. Rollins ignored that fact and still worked to help his friend. It’s a small nuance but one that helped make this passable instead of monotonous. Still, the story needs to be focused on the Strowman and Rollins dynamic. This angle, while effective, doesn’t tell that story well enough. 

-Out of the commercial break, the announce team discussed the angle and alluded to the fact that the contract signing didn’t fully take place. They then aired a Stone Cold Steve Austin Twitter graphic. In it, he said that Michael Cole was a good announcer, but could be a better moderator.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Seeds planted for Styles to be added to the match? That’s one way to take Corey’s comments.

-Cedric Alexander was interviewed backstage and spoke about his KOTR tournament match. Alexander said he saw Corbin sit on the throne last week. He talked about Corbin pretending to be King, but then was attacked by the O.C. Styles, Gallows, and Anderson viciously assaulted him before tossing up the Too Sweet and walking out of the shot. Cedric was checked on by officials as the show was tossed back to the ring. There, Roode and Ziggler were in the ring as the bell rang for their match to begin.

(2) ROBERT ROODE & DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. CURT HAWKINS & ZACK RYDER

Hawkins and Ziggler started things off. As they fought, the announce team discussed Dolph Ziggler and his path to this tag team. In the discussion, they presented Ziggler as a star who had lost his way, but found it within the team with Roode.

Heydorn’s Analysis: I don’t love the partnership between Roode and Ziggler. Too random for me. That said, if you’re going to do a random partnership like this, this type of commentary is essential to getting it over. Well done.

Back in the ring, Ziggler owned momentum in the match over Hawkins. He hit Hawkins with a flurry of offense until Hawkins battle back. Both men tagged their respective partners into the match. Ryder took momentum at that point. He attempted his finisher, but Roode countered. Instead, Hawkins and Ryder connected with a double team maneuver. Eventually, Ziggler was able to connect with a superkick on Hawkins. As the legal man, Roode took Hawkins right after and hit him with the Glorious DDT. From there, he made the cover for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Ziggler and Roode via pinfall

Heydorn’s Analysis: A to B match that existed to build Roode and Ziggler. Hawkins and Ryder are opponents that are heavily lacking in the credibility department. Because of that, the win didn’t do much for Roode and Dolph, but their dominance over their jobber opponents helped present them as a destructive force. For that, it worked, but still feels too forced and random.

-After the match, Lacey Evans was shown walking backstage as the show went to break. (c)

-Out of the break, Lacey Evans made her way to the ring. Once she got halfway down the ramp, Nattie’s music hit. Nattie ran at Evans and clocked her before rolling into the ring. A flabbergasted Evans followed her in and once she got there, the bell rang, and the match began.

(3) LACEY EVANS vs. NATALYA

Nattie owned the match early and put Evans in an elbow submission hold. As she did, the announce team discussed how Nattie had a rough couple weeks dating back to what happened between her and Sasha Banks. Nattie continued to maintain momentum and connected with a basement dropkick before making the cover for a two count. At that point, the action spilled to the outside of the ring. Nattie used that to her advantage and tossed Evans off of various guardrails. She then attempted a clothesline, but Evans countered and slammed her down on the outside mats. After, Evans rolled Nattie into the ring and made the cover, but only got a two count.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Nattie looks great out there tonight. She’s sporting a new intensity about her that the crowd is engaging with and responding to. 

Out of the pin, Evans kept her momentum and put Nattie in a choke hold. Nattie broke the hold, but Evans kept up the offense and targeted her attention on Nattie’s injured arm. From there, Evans attempted her turnbuckle moonsault, but missed. This allowed Nattie to get the momentum back. She hit Evans with a series of clotheslines before hitting her discus clothesline and covering for a two count. Out of the pin, Nattie called Evans a “nasty” before stomping her in the stomach. Eventually, Nattie rushed Evans and hit a flurry of punches. The referee pulled Natalya off her which allowed Evans to toss her handkerchief at Nattie. This distracted Nattie enough for Evans to hit her with the Women’s Right. She then covered for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Evans via pinfall

Heydorn’s Analysis: Not a great showing for Evans, but a better one than usual. Credit Natalya for that one. She was good here and showcased her new intensity well.

-After the match, Evans celebrated before Becky Lynch was shown walking backstage. As she was shown, the show went to break. (c)

-Out of the break, Becky Lynch made her entrance to a big reaction from the audience. She confidently walked to the ring and once she got there, Cole cued up highlights that detailed the situation and current history between Sasha Banks and Lynch.

[HOUR TWO]

When the highlights ended, Lynch spoke and said that it was good to be back in Baltimore. Lynch said that she was live on Raw, but then asked where Sasha Banks was? From there, Lynch called Sasha’s story about her absence, a load of crap. Lynch told Banks that she had no reason to be whining. Lynch said that Banks was the centerpiece of NXT and that she and Charlotte got handed opportunities while she fought for television time. Lynch said that he taught Charlotte that lesson, but needed to teach it to Banks as well. Lynch called Banks a delusional little weirdo and then took some digs at Banks in saying that since she left, her partner Bayley had been doing just fine. From there, Lynch told Banks to face her woman to woman before calling her a blue haired freak. At that point Banks walked out and laughed off Becky Lynch. She said that she was supposed to have Lynch’s spot and main event WrestleMania. Banks said that the only reason Lynch got those opportunities was because Nia Jax broke her face. From there, Banks mocked Lynch and said that she wished Jax broke her face so people would care about her. Banks then told Becky Lynch it was all about business. She talked about beating Lynch up and said that she could make things even more personal if she wanted to. Becky smiled and told her to walk down to the ring and fight. Banks laughed this off and said that she only would fight for a paycheck and not for the fans. She said that the next time she faces Becky Lynch it would be at Clash Of Champions and only if the Raw Women’s Championship was on the line. Lynch agreed right away and Banks smiled. She then said that at Clash Of Champions The Man would be The Boss’s bitch. Sasha’s music played after that line and the shot went backstage to the Street Profits.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Top notch work from both Lynch and Banks. Lynch was good to start in defining and pointing out how Banks was contradicting herself and being hypocritical. Smart and it worked to bring the audience onto her side. Banks was good too. She appeared confident and comfortable within her heel skin. I could have done without her pulling the curtain back on the Nia Jax stuff, but thoroughly enjoyed Banks talking about wrestling for a paycheck. Now more than ever, that plays. Well done across the board. 

The Profits looked at each other and then asked what they were supposed to say about that encounter. Instead, they just tossed the show to commercial. (c)

-After the break, Baron Corbin made his entrance for his King Of The Ring tournament match. As he walked down to the ring, a pre-taped promo aired in which Corbin said he couldn’t wait to hear the words “All Hail King Corbin.” When the promo ended, Cedric Alexander made his entrance. He sold his injuries from the earlier beat down and the announce team sold them as well. Once Alexander got to the ring, the bell rang, and the match began.

(4) CEDRIC ALEXANDER vs. BARON CORBIN – King Of The Ring tournament quarterfinal match

Alexander and Corbin circled each other in the ring to feel each other out as the match began. Eventually, Corbin grabbed full control of the match after crushing Alexander with a vicious clothesline. Corbin maintained momentum, until Alexander hit him with a dropkick. Corbin fell out of the ring after the move. Alexander saw this and hit Corbin with a running suicide dive. From there, Cedric tossed Corbin back into the ring and proceeded to connect with a springboard clothesline. Alexander made the pin attempt, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, the audience chanted “let’s go Cedric.” He attempted more offense from the turnbuckle, but got hung up by Corbin. From there, Corbin slammed Cedric’s head off of the ring post as he hung there upside down. The show then went to commercial break. (c)

Heydorn’s Analysis: Really good reaction for Alexander from the live crowd. A testament to Alexander selling his injuries well while also firing up appropriately and with enough passion to make the audience buy in and believe in him. 

Out of the break, Corbin maintained control over Alexander. Corbin elbowed him on his injured arm before locking in a chinlock. From there, Corbin struck Cedric with a forearm to the back. Eventually, Cedric turned the tides. He hit Corbin with another dropkick in the corner and then attempted his Neuralizer. Corbin countered the move into a spinebuster and covered for a two count. Out of the pin, Corbin mounted Alexander and hit him with a series of strikes to the face. From there, he tossed Cedric out onto the ring apron. Alexander proceeded to hit him with a kick, but Corbin countered the rest of his offense into the Deep Six. After the move, Corbin went for a pin, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, Alexander battled and took over the upper hand after smashing Corbin shoulder first into a three different ring posts. From there, he kicked Corbin furiously before hitting Corbin with a flipping dive over the top rope. Out of that, Alexander climbed to the top rope and hit Corbin with a top rope dropkick. Alexander then made the pin, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, Alexander attempted the Lumbar Check, but Corbin countered. Corbin tried for the End Of Days, but Alexander countered into a two count pin. Out of the pin, Alexander hit the Michinoku Driver and made a pin, but only got a two count. From there, he tried for another top rope move, but Corbin kicked the rope to knock him off balance. Corbin was then able to hit the End Of Days for the 1,2,3 win. As Corbin celebrated, the show went to commercial break. (c)

WINNER: Corbin via pinfall

Heydorn’s Analysis: Really good match. The crowd was firmly behind Alexander and that should be credited to both Cedric and Corbin. Corbin had heat with the audience whom immediatley and passionately cheered against him and for Alexander. Well done and Corbin winning and advancing gives the audience another reason to dislike him and cheer against him in the next round of the tournament.

-Out of the break, a video montage aired that highlighted and showcased the Roman Reigns whodunnit saga.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Cole said that this story gripped the WWE. Really Cole? Don’t be that guy.

-After the video, Bayley was interviewed backstage. She was asked about Sasha Banks and in response, she didn’t answer. Bayley was questioned again and said that she had talked with Sasha, but that she wouldn’t get into it because it was personal. Bayley said Sasha made her own choices, but that Sasha’s choices weren’t hers. She said she was the SmackDown Women’s Champion and that she would tag with Becky Lynch later in the night. She asked if she would get a question about that? Charly Caruso obliged and said that she wouldn’t be and isn’t overshadowed by Becky Lynch. She said she beat Nikki Cross last week and that at the end of the night we’d see who was standing in whose shadow. The show then went to commercial break. (c)

Heydorn’s Analysis: At this point, Bayley simply isn’t the same character she was in NXT. This promo would have been horrendously awful for that Bayley. Tonight’s promo worked for whatever Bayley is today. She was confident and spoke like the champion of her brand on a mission. 

-Out of the break, the local jobbers were interviewed ahead of the Viking Raiders entrance. They said the would beat the Viking Raiders in front of all the Balti-morons. From there, the Viking Raiders made their way to the ring.

(5) THE VIKING RAIDERS vs. LOCAL WORKERS

The Viking Raiders took over out of the gate and destroyed both of their opponents in seconds. They hit the Viking Experience and then covered for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Viking Raiders via pinfall

Heydorn’s Analysis: Squash city. When the tag team division gets sorted out coming out of Clash Of Champions, the Viking Raiders should be primed and ready for an opportunity and a top feud with the champions. 

-After the match, Sasha Banks was interviewed backstage. Banks was asked about Bayley and in response, Banks told the interviewer to get the hell out of her face. From there, Samoa Joe made his entrance. Joe got a “Joe” chant as he walked down the ramp. Once he got into the ring, Joe hit his pose as the show went to break. (c)

-Out of the break, Samoa Joe cut a promo and said that the kingdom was full of liars. He said that everyone in the tournament told the world they would be the reigning King Of The Ring. He said that all the lies in the world can’t cover up one universal truth which was that “King Samoa Joe sounds just right.”

[HOUR THREE]

From there, Ricochet made his way to the ring. He looked at the KOTR throne before running down the ramp and hitting his pose. From there, a pre-taped promo aired from him in which he said that winning KOTR means everything to him. He said that his entire career was about redefining what’s possible. He then said that he would continue to do that and win King Of The Ring. When the promo ended, the bell rang, and the match began.

(6) RICOCHET vs. SAMOA JOE – King Of The Ring tournament quarterfinal match

To start the match, both Ricochet and Joe took a slow pace opposite each other in the ring. Joe worked leg kicks early before taking Ricochet down to the mat. There, he locked in a leg submission before stomping on the lower body of Ricochet to keep him grounded. Joe used the ring ropes to continue work over Ricochet’s leg. From there, Ricochet kicked Joe in the face to slow him down. He followed with punches to the midsection, but they were quickly squashed after Joe tossed Ricochet into the corner. After, Joe ran at Ricochet for a clothesline, but Ricochet dropped the ropes down which caused Joe to fly out of the ring. Out there, Ricochet hit a standing moonsault off of the guardrail that dropped Joe on the outside. Ricochet rolled Joe into the ring after and lifted him to his feet. He hit Joe with a round of chops before attempting an Irish whip. Joe countered and lifted him over his shoulder. Joe then fell to the mat which slammed Ricochet’s injured legs into Joe’s shoulder.

Heydorn’s Analysis: It’s not unique, but the psychology to ground Ricochet the high flyer works here. Especially from Joe at a snails pace with an evil look in his eye. Great stuff. 

From there, Joe locked in a half Boston crab, but was forced to break the hold once Ricochet grabbed the ropes. In response, he clocked Ricochet with a headbutt before whipping him into the ropes. Ricochet proceeded to hit Joe with a hurricanrana and followed that with a springboard moonsault. He then made a cover, but only got a two count. Out of the pin he ran at Joe for a splash in the corner, but Joe countered and slammed Ricochet to the mat with a standing Eurinaki. After, Joe hit a suplex on Ricochet into the guardrail. From there, Joe rolled Ricochet back into the ring and covered, but only got a two count. The show then went to commercial break. (c)

Out of the break, Joe maintained control of the match and had Ricochet grounded with a neck submission. Eventually, Ricochet broke the hold and created separation after connecting with a rolling dropkick to the chest of Joe. Both men exchanged strikes after that with Ricochet getting the upper hand after a hurricanrana. From there, Ricochet connected with a springboard uppercut before hitting a standing shooting star press. Next, Ricochet jumped off of the top rope for a corkscrew moonsault, but missed and landed on his feet. He then ran at Joe, but was crushed with a snap power slam. Joe attempted a pin, but Ricochet countered into a roll-up for a two count. Out of the pin, Joe rolled to the outside of the ring and Ricochet hit an over the top rope Tiger Drop. He then rolled Joe back into the ring and climbed to the top rope. There, Ricochet attempted a move, but Joe pushed him and made him lose his balance. Joe then climbed to the top rope with him. He locked in the Kokina Clutch on the top rope which prompted Ricochet to push off. That sent Joe crashing to the mat. With both men down and covering each other, the referee counted the 1,2,3.

WINNER: Unknown

-After the match, the referee grabbed a headset and tried to get clarification on the finish. The referee said he would take what he heard under advisement and walked off. As he did, Joe and Ricochet confronted the referee. They did not get a viable answer as the referee said a decision would be made at a later date. From there, Joe and Ricochet fought in the ring with Ricochet getting the upper hand. Ricochet then walked off and up the ramp as highlights of the match aired.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Awful stuff. This match within a tournament format deserved a finish. Ricochet did as well. Clearly, he is a focus for the company and said the company should hedge around stars they’re behind. If you’re going to frame this tournament as a wrestling tournament where wins matter and can launch acts to the next level, you need to make good on that framing and give real finishes. Ricochet needed a clean with, too. That going into a showdown with Baron Corbin in NYC of all places would have made for a nice moment for him. Money left on the table. 

-Backstage, Seth Rollins was confronted by Braun Strowman. They talked about Steve Austin moderating their contract signing next week. Braun said he didn’t like it and accused Seth and Steve of potentially working together. Seth called Braun on that and told him he was thinking about the wrong things after getting assaulted by five guys earlier in the day. Rollins said he understands where Braun’s paranoia came from and said that he’s betrayed his brothers and been stabbed in the back by a best friend. He said that if Stone Cold could stop the shenanigans that happened this week, it would be worthwhile. Strowman agreed in the end, but said that if Steve Austin get’s in his way, he’d get these hands. Strowman then walked out as the show went to break. (c)

Heydorn’s Analysis: Well done. Rollins acted like a real person and was logical in talking Strowman off the ledge. Strowman reacted logically as well. Logic in the WWE? I think that was a pig flying overhead. I’ll take it.  

-When the break ended, the newest episode of the Firefly Funhouse aired.

Heydorn’s Analysis: I continue to thoroughly enjoy these episodes. Well produced, innovative, and nice break from the regular happenings on Raw. 

-After the Firefly episode, Corey Graves interviewed the Joe/Ricochet referee backstage. As the referee was about to provide some information, but Corbin interuppted. He said that both Ricochet and Joe were eliminated and that he would go on to the finals.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Ugh. If four chords work in a song, the musician doesn’t use 12. Same rule applies here. This is complicated without good reason to be. 

-Rey Mysterio was interviewed backstage. Rey spoke and said that his son convinced him to keep fighting. He said that Dominic told him it was a blessing to grow up inside the WWE family. He said he enjoyed watching his son become a man before thanking him for getting him to stay in wrestling and chase his passion. Rey then seriously said that he wasn’t done and that he has much left to accomplish. He then said he was doing it all for his son, Dominic.

Heydorn’s Analysis: A choppy performance from Rey, but he got to the right finish. He’s back and wrestling for his son. Simple, but effective. The Yin to the Yang of the Corbin/Ricochet/Joe King Of The Ring nonsense.

-The Miz made his entrance and as he did, the show went to break. (c)

-Out of the break, Cesaro made his way to the ring. Once he got there, the bell rang, and the match began.

(7) CESARO vs. THE MIZ

The match began with Miz owning momentum. Cesaro took over quickly though and laid in bits of offense including European uppercuts and an over the top rope superplex. He then made a cover, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, Cesaro locked in a submission. Eventually, Miz broke free of the hold and hit a series of running clotheslines to Cesaro in the corner. On the third one, Cesaro countered and crushed Miz with another uppercut. After, Cesaro went for the Cesaro Swing, but Miz countered into a two count rollup. Out of the pin, Miz hit Cesaro with a run of punches in the corner. Cesaro traded with him, but Miz then connected with the Skull Crushing Finale for the 1,2,3 win.

WINNER: Miz via pinfall

Heydorn’s Analysis: Cesaro has had quite the weekend hasn’t he? MOTN at NXT UK TakeOver and then travels across the pond for this? Pretty much a nothing match, but Miz needed a win heading into the IC title match against Shinsuke Nakamura at Clash Of Champions. 

-Becky Lynch and Bayley were shown talking backstage as the show went to break. (c)

-Out of the break, Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss made their way to the ring. Bayley walked out next and Becky Lynch followed. Once Becky got down to the ring, her and Bayley got in it and posed in the faces of the heels. From there, the bell rang, and the match began.

(8) NIKKI CROSS & ALEXA BLISS vs. BECKY LYNCH & BAYLEY

Both sides felt each other out to start. Quickly after the bell rang, Sasha Banks’s music blared and she walked out onto the stage. Lynch was distracted by her presence as the show went to break. (c)

Out of the break, the action continued with Sasha Banks ringside. Alexa Bliss downed Bayley with a submission hold until Bayley battled out. Before she could fully break free, Bliss slammed Bayley back first into the corner. Bliss then tagged Cross into the match and nailed Bayley with a headbutt. From there, Becky dropped Cross on the ropes and attempted to tag Lynch, but got knocked out of the ring by Cross. Cross then brought Bayley to her corner and tagged Bliss in again. Bliss slapped Bayley in the face before taunting Lynch. Bliss then made a cover, but only got a two count. Out of the pin, Bayley attempted another tag, but got cornered near Bliss and Cross again. Bayley hit both Cross and Bliss with elbows before tossing them out of the ring. She tried for a tag, but got squashed again. Finally, Bayley made the tag to Becky. Lynch hit the ring with fire and dropped Bliss with a series of strikes and a shoulder tackle. After, she hit a second rope leg drop before covering for a two count once Cross made the save. From there, Lynch crushed both Bliss and Cross with punches in the corner. As she did, Sasha Banks attacked Lynch from behind and nailed her with the Banks Statement.

WINNER: No contest

-After the match, Banks then grabbed a steel chair and crushed Lynch with a series of shots to the back. Eventually, Bayley stopped Sasha, but then crushed Lynch with a steel chair herself. The show faded to black as Bayley beat on Lynch with the chair.

Heydorn’s Analysis: Well, this certainly freshens Bayley’s character up. A long time coming in a lot of ways. The key is whether or not she can get a sustained heel reaction. The audience out there tonight cheered the turn and did the yes chant? A sign of things to come or just a crowd excited that they saw a big moment. Time will tell. 

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NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: HEYDORN’S WWE RAW REPORT 8/26: Alt Perspective coverage of the live show including continuation of the King Of The Ring tournament, Sasha Banks’ in-ring return, Strowman and Rollins as tag team champions, and more