Monday Night Raw Results – September 26, 2016

Monday Night Raw
Date: September 26, 2016
Location: U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinatti, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

Last night’s Clash of Champions PPV featured a lot of great wrestling, but some odd finishes meant that the show raised more questions than answers for the Raw brand. What’s the result for Sheamus’ and Cesaro’s best of seven series? Who will be the new contender for the Women’s Championship? And what’s next for the Universal Championship?

Rusev is already in the ring and Roman Reigns makes his entrance to kick off the show. We open with a rematch for the United States Championship.

Roman Reigns vs. Rusev

The brawlers open the match with some old-fashioned wrestling tie-ups, Rusev gaining the early advantage. Roman takes control with some Cena-esque shoulder tackles and a side headlock. A surprisingly low impact start from two who are known for their striking. It’s four minutes in before the strikes start hitting. Roman can’t do his signature one-armed powerbomb because of the wear on his back from last night’s match. Rusev knocks Roman out of the ring to take us to the break.

Roman’s back in the ring, but Rusev is still in control, targeting Roman’s back. Rusev shuts down a brief flurry of Reigns offense with a lovely dropkick. Roman hulks up to escape a waistlock and deliver some offense, quickly taking control of the match. Roman goes for the Superman Punch, but Rusev catches him in midair and both competitors tumble out of the ring, taking us to another commercial.

Back in the ring, Rusev has regained control after driving Roman into the ringpost. Rusev sets up for a turnbuckle suplex, but Reigns fights out, knocking Rusev down and delivering a clothesline from the second rope. Roman tries for a powerbomb, but can’t lift Rusev with the bad back. Rusev delivers a series of headbutts. The pace quickens as the two deliver desperation moves. Rusev calls for the Accolade, but Roman blocks it and delivers a Superman Punch. Roman sets up for a spear, but Lana distracts. Roman hits a Drive-By on Rusev, and knocks Rusev into the crowd. The referee counts both men out.

Result: Rusev vs. Roman Reigns went to a double countout (25:34)

The brawl continues despite the ending of the match. Rusev stops Reigns with a steel chair, targeting his lower back. Roman spears Rusev as the latter brandishes the chair. Roman reaches for the chair. Will he finally show some heelish tendencies? The crowd says “yes!” Roman sets the chair down, sits on it and lifts his title. The crowd says “boo.”

Roman picks the chair back up and strikes Rusev! Yeah! Be evil, Roman!

The commentators introduce the show, and do a quick shill for WWE 2k17. The “Downtown” ad from Clash of Champions plays. Gallows and Anderson will have a rematch for the Tag Team titles. Mick Foley is headed to the ring to address the end of Sheamus vs. Cesaro.

Foley is in the ring. After addressing the “mathematical impossibility” of a draw in a best of seven series, he invites both Cesaro and Sheamus to the ring. Sheamus reminds Foley that the winner was promised a championship opportunity. Sheamus says he was more physically dominant. Cesaro disagrees! Foley shouts “Sheamus is right!” And so is Cesaro! “You’re both right!” He can’t declare a winner. They both get championship opportunities. They’ll share the opportunity–for the Raw Tag Team Championships. “You’ll face the winner of the following match!”

The New Day makes their entrance, while Cesaro and Sheamus express their incredulity. The two argue on the ramp as the Club comes down.

Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E)

(The match started during commercials, so the time will be off.) New Day is getting in their signature spots, including a Unicorn Stampede. The Club turn it around with some high impact strikes outside the ring. They isolate Kofi and trap him in their corner.

The situation remains the same as we return from commercial. Kofi creates some separation and makes the tag to Big E, who responds with some belly-to-belly suplexes. The pace quickens considerably until Big E is forced to spear into the ringpost. Big E regains control and spears Anderson through the second rope. Tag to Kofi, they hit the Midnight Hour on Anderson, but the pin is broken up by Gallows. Anderson hits a neckbreaker off the top rope on Big E. Kofi breaks up another pin. Kofi’s face is covered in blood–hits Trouble in Paradise on Anderson–1, 2, 3. The New Day retains. Maybe they’ll take down Demolition’s record, too?

Result: The New Day b. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows – Trouble in Paradise to Karl Anderson (~12:00)

Recap of the Universal Championship match from Clash of Champions. The WWE.com clip featuring Triple H embracing Stephanie after the match is replayed. The announcers speak on Rollins’ rib injury. He’s not cleared to compete tonight, and is receiving examination at a local medical center.

Cesaro and Sheamus argue in the locker room. Foley intervenes. Passionately exclaims that the two stole the show, says that an eighth match could put one of them out of commission. They “could change the face of tag team wrestling.” He asks them to try, and see if the oddball tag team magic is there. “I believe in you guys.”

Bayley makes her entrance. A jobber is already in the ring. Anna Fields, I think her name is?

Bayley vs. Anna Fields

Fields takes an early advantage. Bayley regains control, delivers all her usual signatures, ending the match with a Bayley to Belly.

Result: Bayley b. Anna Fields  – Bayley to Belly to Fields (1:49)

Saxton conducts an in-ring interview with Bayley, asking about the results of last night’s triple threat. She says that won’t be the last time Sasha and Charlotte see her. She won’t stop until she’s hugging the Women’s Championship.

Backstage with Mick and Stephanie. Mick says he “looked like a fool” because he believed in Stephanie. He accuses Stephanie of losing control of the main event. She says it’s his job, but he was too busy tending to Cesaro and Sheamus. Mick apologizes as Stephanie yells at him and tells him to make sure Seth Rollins doesn’t hurt himself.

Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak

All four competitors get televised entrances. Nice! Alexander and Swann have a quick, pre-recorded promo. Dorado and Gulak each have edited packages from the CWC. Handshakes all around. Swann and Dorado open the contest, trading acrobatic maneuvers to the cheers of the crowd.  A handshake, but neither lets go. Pin attempt and suddenly everything breaks down. Lince delivers a moonsault to all three men outside the ring.

Gulak has Swann in a headlock as we return from commercial. Alexander gets the hot tag and delivers some impressive moves to regain control. Lightning fast action. Swann pins Gulak with a Rich Kick into a bridging pin.

Result: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann b. Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak – Rich Kick into bridging pin (8:31)

Sheamus and Cesaro make their way to the ring.

Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Nick Cutler and Willis Williams

Cesaro starts things off versus a “local competitor” named Nick Cutler. Sheamus and Cesaro argue over tags while dominating the competition. The partner Williams comes while the odd couple continues trying to one-up each other. “Let’s go jobbers” chant. The jobbers try to work Cesaro’s arm while he no-sells everything. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer, then Sheamus interrupts to start kicking people. Cesaro pins Cutler off of a Brogue Kick.

Result: Cesaro and Sheamus b. Nick Cutler and Willis Williams – Brogue Kick to Cutler (3:31)

Video package featuring T.J. Perkins. Telling the story of how he lived on the streets to accomplish his goals, showing highlights of the CWC.

Tom Phillips interviews T.J. backstage. Brian Kendrick interrupts. “Does it feel good to have your dreams come true?” Kendrick thinks that title was resurrected for him.

Charlotte and Dana Brooks make their way to the ring.

In-ring promo from Charlotte and Dana. Charlotte brags about her victory at Clash of Champions. Talks about the parade of women she’s defeated, month after month. Sasha Banks interrupts, saying that while last night belonged to Charlotte, the title belongs to the Boss. Charlotte pinned Bayley, not Sasha. Sasha wants a one-on-one rematch, and she wants it right now. Charlotte agrees to the rematch–for next week. Sasha slaps Charlotte and locks the Banks Statement on Dana. Charlotte breaks it up, but Sasha throws them both out of the ring.

Seth Rollins is backstage. Mick interrupts, tells Seth this isn’t the time or place to go after Kevin Owens. Seth says “Screw your rules!”

T.J. Perkins makes his Street Fighter entrance. Brian Kendrick will receive a rematch next week, but tonight T.J.’s opponent is Tony Neese in a non-title match. CWC highlights from Neese.

T.J. Perkins vs. Tony Neese

Neese has the early advantage, taking down Perkins several times. Neese cartwheels on the apron, superkicks Perkins outside of the ring, and flips over the top rope to attack. He brings Perkins back to the ring for a pin attempt, but T.J. kicks out at two.

Perkins wraps up Neese in an octopus hold, but Neese powers out. Perkins delivers a double chicken wing into a gutbuster, Neese kicks out. TJP climbs to the top rope, tries to deliver a tornado DDT, but Neese counters into a suplex. T.J. locks in the Kneebar and submits Neese.

Result: T.J. Perkins b. Tony Neese – Kneebar to Neese (8:49)

Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring for a special edition of the Highlight Reel, featuring his “best friend” Kevin Owens. Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher announce an appearance on Raw next week. Oh boy. They’re now on Jericho’s list. Cameraman is shooting Jericho from the wrong side. Now he’s on the list! Seth Rollins is on the list, because he got hurt again.

Jericho introduces Kevin Owens now. They talk Jeri-Trons. Owens gets some cheap heat by insulting Dean Ambrose here in his hometown of Cincinnati. Owens says he proved he is the man at Clash of Champions. Calls Rollins’ injury karma for the injuries he caused to Cena (the nose), Sting, and Finn Balor.

Rollins’ music hits and he makes his way to the ring, but he’s stopped by a gang of security personnel and Mick Foley. He’s escorted to the back amid taunts from Owens. Jericho jeers as well.

Enzo and Cass make a sudden entrance with mics suited for certified Gs. Jericho says he and Owens are doing just fine, but Enzo and Cass are on the list. There’s an extended gag about Santa Claus and Jericho sitting on people’s laps that… kinda works? Looks like tonight’s main event is Enzo and Cass against Jericho and Owens.

Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens

Jericho and Enzo start things off. Enzo gets some early offense, prompting Jericho to run for Owens’ bosom and make a tag. Cass takes over on the side of the Gs, and he tosses Enzo over the top rope on top of their opponents outside the ring. Cass delivers a sidewalk slam to both Owens and Jericho, but Owens takes over versus Cass outside of the ring.

Cass escapes a headlock from Owens as we return from commercial and makes a hot tag to Enzo. Enzo gets fired up versus Jericho and does a dab just before a top rope crossbody. Momentum is reversed and Owens mocks Enzo’s dancing skills. Further mockery occurs as the two isolate Enzo in their corner. Enzo gets his knees up to block a lionsault from Jericho, giving him the space he needs to tag Cass. Big boot to Jericho, Empire Elbow to Owens. Owens goes for a corner cannonball, but Cass stops him with another big boot.

Cass and Jericho tumble outof the ring. Enzo hits Owens with a DDT, but the champ kicks out and responds with Pop-Up Powerbomb, pinning Enzo to end the show.

Result: Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens b. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady – Pup-Up Powerbomb to Amore (16:23)

Results
Rusev vs. Roman Reigns went to a double countout
The New Day b. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows – Trouble in Paradise to Anderson
Bayley b. Anna Fields  – Bayley to Belly to Fields
Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann b. Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak – Rich Kick into bridging pin to Gulak
Cesaro and Sheamus b. Nick Cutler and Willis Williams – Brogue Kick to Cutler
Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens b. Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady – Pup-Up Powerbomb to Amore