WWE Raw live results: World Cup qualifiers

Date: October 15, 2018
Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

The Big Takeaway —

It seemed like Dean Ambrose reached his breaking point with the Shield (particularly Seth Rollins) but ultimately, the Shield prevailed in the main event, and all three appear back on the same page.

The Shield defeated the team of Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. Strowman laid out Ziggler after the match, then McIntyre took out Strowman with a Claymore kick.

The highlight of the show was a Ronda Rousey promo, where she tore down Nikki and Brie Bella. The Bellas were portrayed as “divas” and relics from the previous era, and Rousey said they need to be eviscerated. See below for more.

Also, they continued to plug Crown Jewel, but did not mention the location of the show. 

Show Recap —

Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre came out as Michael Cole plugged Strowman’s title match at Crown Jewel. The location of that show was not mentioned. 

Ziggler called them the best three-man group in WWE history and they bragged about beating The Shield last week. They showed a replay, plus a post-show interview by Dean Ambrose where he told Kayla Braxton, “I don’t get it. I don’t get it. Maybe I just don’t fit in anywhere anymore.” McIntyre said Ambrose has finally seen the truth and the Shield has been shattered.

Strowman said Roman Reigns’ buddies wouldn’t be there to help him at Crown Jewel. McIntyre said he would beat Rollins to qualify for the World Cup and prove he’s the best in the world. Ziggler said he had a qualifying match too, and they could end up facing each other. McIntyre said he was good, “but buddy, you’re no Drew McIntyre.”

Strowman interrupted before they could argue and said Reigns and Brock Lesnar would get these hands at Crown Jewel (again, no mention of the location). The Shield’s music hit but only Reigns and Rollins came out on the stage. Rollins said the Shield was alive and well.

Rollins said he would prove would the world already knows, that he was the best in the world. Ziggler welcomed two-thirds of the Shield and said he would gladly take a forfeit win tonight if Ambrose doesn’t show. Rollins told him to shut up–Ambrose runs on Ambrose time and would be there tonight.

Reigns talked and people booed. I think Ziggler booed too. Rollins said he loves Philly because of the cheesesteaks and because it’s a fighting town. He challenged McIntyre to fight right now and he agreed. 

Seth Rollins defeated Drew McIntyre via countout to qualify for the World Cup Tournament (13:30)

Renee Young said she didn’t know where Ambrose was and reiterated that “Ambrose time” was a real thing. Ziggler ran down a few minutes into the match, which of course distracted Rollins, allowing McIntyre to yank him into the ring apron.

After a break, Rollins came back with a superkick and slingblade, then later hit a blockbuster for two. McIntyre was on the top so Rollins ran up and hit a superplex, then it was McIntyre who floated over into a falcon arrow for two. Rollins hit an enziguri and superkick but was distracted by Ziggler before he could go for the stomp.

Rollins nailed both Ziggler and McIntyre with separate dives, but moments later, Ziggler pulled the rope down on Rollins who fell out of the ring. Ambrose ran down and attacked Ziggler, then McIntyre laid out Ambrose. Rollins gave McIntyre a stomp and slid back in the ring for the countout win. Ambrose posed with Rollins afterwards. 

I’m tired of all the distractions, but they needed a way for McIntyre to lose without getting pinned, and having Ambrose save the day played into the story.

Nikki and Brie Bella were shown skulking around backstage before entering their locker room. They were booed. Bayley found Trish Stratus and Lita backstage and gave them a hug. 

They showed a graphic for DX with the words “Up Next” on the screen, so the crowd cheered, but all they’re getting is a replay.

Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns walked backstage as Rollins made a remark about Ambrose being on “Lunatic Time.” Ambrose was offended and wondered if that’s all he was to them, a “lunatic” who was good for a few laughs until they needed bailing out. Rollins and Reigns were taken aback. They tried to calm him down, but Ambrose said he had his own match to worry about and left.

There was a pre-taped segment with Undertaker and Kane. Kane said the DX reunion was built on a bed of lies, and Undertaker said respect wasn’t keeping Shawn Michaels away–it was fear. They said when the match is over at Crown Jewel, Triple H can slink back into a boardroom and Michaels can find safety in retirement. They ended with “rest in peace.” 

There will be a battle royal at Evolution. Announced for the match so far are Tamina, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Ember Moon, Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Asuka, Mandy Rose, Carmella, Lana, Sonya DeVille, Naomi, and Torrie Wilson. 

Ember Moon & Nia Jax defeated Tamina & Dana Brooke (4:47)

With Jax and Tamina in the ring, Young said, “this is what the women’s evolution’s about right here.” Tamina gave Jax a Samoan drop, which got a modest reaction. Moon eventually tagged in and gave Brooke an Eclipse for the win. Not a good match.

Tamina confronted Jax afterwards. Moon tried to stop them, but they both shoved her down. Tamina knocked down Jax, then gestured to Moon like they should throw her out of the ring. Moon obliged and they tossed her out. The crowd booed thinking this might be a heel turn, then Moon went after Tamina. Moon tried tossing her out of the ring too for some reason but actually failed. As they struggled for position, Brooke tossed them both out. This was so dumb. 

Ronda Rousey/Bellas segment

Ronda Rousey came out. She smiled on her way out but got serious upon entering the ring. She couldn’t help but smile when a “Ronda” chant broke out. Rousey said the Bellas betrayed her in front of the world. Rousey just wanted an explanation and asked them to come out.

Nikki and Brie came out on the stage. The crowd booed as Nikki began talking. Nikki said the crowd didn’t pay to see Rousey, they paid to see them. Nikki said they don’t owe her an explanation. Brie explained that Rousey disrespected them by disregarding what they have done for the business. Nikki said Rousey was the reason they came back to compete.

Nikki wondered why she was even there and called her a loser who didn’t deserve it. She said Rousey didn’t deserve a title shot and Nikki should be the champion. Nikki said they made “diva” mean something, that they were strong and powerful, their reality show put more women and girls in the crowd, and they made people want to see women’s wrestling even more.

Nikki said Rousey walked into an evolution that the Bellas started and the title she wore wouldn’t exist without them. (Well, that’s true.) The crowd chanted, “break her arm.” Rousey said she tried to be respectful. She knew that WWE was their territory first. She also knew that the “diva” era made her sick to her stomach, but they made the most of what they had.

Rousey was happy they congratulated her a few weeks ago when they barely ever said hello to her before that. She thought maybe they could be in this together but realized she was wrong, and that the Bellas were the embodiment of a stereotype. She called them D.M.B.s–Do Nothin’ Bellas.

Rousey said they were starved for attention and was amazed at how far they went with a minimal amount of talent. She said they leached off the names of their men and the crowd chanted “Yes.” She said they stole their guys’ move sets, they were a relic and need to be eviscerated like smallpox. Rousey said she could rip out both their arms and beat them with it. She added, “I will ruin you.”

Brie called Rousey jealous and Nikki said they knocked down doors. Rousey got fired up saying she knocked down doors in judo, Strikeforce, UFC and now WWE. Rousey added, “the only door you knocked down was the door to John Cena’s bedroom.” The crowd went nuts. Rousey said Cena threw her out of the door, then dared them to come to the ring.

The Bellas feigned like they would go to the ring, but they didn’t. Nikki did her pose, then a security team marched out to protect them. Rousey left the ring and tossed security aside. She gave one guy a Samona drop as the Bellas bailed. The crowd chanted for Rousey. Rousey was very good here. 

Kurt Angle was backstage dressed like he was on vacation in a tropical location. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable were impressed with the outfit. Gable called it glorious and Roode was slightly annoyed he didn’t get to say it. No Way Jose danced by and Angle joined in.

Baron Corbin approached Angle and asked him when he last had a singles match in WWE. Angle said, “about twelve years.” Corbin put Angle in a match tonight to prepare–a handicap match against AOP. The crowd popped when they heard Angle would wrestle tonight. 

Dolph Ziggler defeated Dean Ambrose to qualify for the World Cup Tournament (9:41)

As Ziggler distracted the referee, McIntyre ran down. Ambrose managed to fend him off, then Rollins ran down to attack McIntyre. Ambrose gave McIntyre an elbow drop off the top to the outside (avoiding hitting Rollins). Rollins tried to help up Ambrose, but Ambrose shoved him and went back in the ring where he ate a superkick. Ziggler wins. Lame finish and not much of a match.

Afterwards, Ambrose shoved Rollins aside and marched up the ramp. Rollins went after him and they got into a shoving match. Reigns came out to separate them, then Corbin entered. Corbin didn’t want the Shield to dissolve on his watch, so he gave them a chance tonight to team against Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre in a rematch from last week (which was a rematch from days earlier). 

McIntyre, Ziggler and Strowman had a meeting backstage. Ziggler and McIntyre were excited to take out the Shield. McIntyre was about to give Strowman a pep talk, but he basically told him to shut up. He said if they don’t do their jobs tonight, they’ll get these hands.

Finn Balor (w/Bayley) defeated Jinder Mahal (w/Alicia Fox, Samir & Sunil Singh) (1:49)

Balor won quickly with the Coup de Grace. Samir Singh has returned, though he didn’t get involved. Corey Graves was excited to announce the return of Samir, to which Cole responded, “Who?” Why would Cole not know who that is?

After the match, Balor’s music didn’t play. Instead, Bobby Lashley came out with Lio Rush. Lashley had a staredown with Balor as Rush put over Lashley’s physique. Balor and Bayley eventually left the ring as Lashley posed. 

Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) defeated Tyler Breeze (3:24)

The bell rang to start, then Lashley posed around the ring as Rush continued to put him over. Lashley hit a delayed vertical suplex, then posed as Rush chanted for him. Breeze attempted a comeback but Lashley cut him off with a powerslam. Lashley posed again, then hit a modified Dominator for the pinfall win. 

Trish Stratus and Lita came to the ring. They were quickly interrupted by Alexa Bliss and Mickie James, who came out on the stage. Bliss did an impression of Lita, and James did an impression of Stratus. They continued mocking Stratus and mentioned how long it’s been since either of them wrestled. James suggested they practice first.

Stratus stopped them, then her and Lita did the Allen Iverson “practice” bit here in Philadelphia. They got a smattering of cheers. Stratus and Lita suggested that maybe they do need practice and dared Bliss and James to fight. Bliss and James feigned like they would fight, but turned around and left. Yes, just like the Bellas earlier. This was lame.

Backstage, the Riott Squad mocked Bayley, cackled and left. 

2-on-1 handicap match: AOP (w/Drake Maverick) defeated Conquistador (0:58)

AOP won quickly. “Angle” was in the ring dressed as the Conquistador (including mask) and didn’t get an entrance. Obviously, it wasn’t him and Graves even acknowledged it probably wasn’t him even before the match was over.

After AOP won, Maverick realized the Conquistador wasn’t Angle. Angle showed up on stage and gave Corbin an Angle Slam, then did a little dance. I’m enjoying Angle continuously outsmarting Corbin.

The Riott Squad sprayed ketchup and mustard on Natalya’s locker room door signage, creating a mess she won’t actually have to deal with. 

Natalya (w/Bayley & Sasha Banks) defeated Ruby Riott (w/Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) via DQ (2:56)

Natalya seemed to have it won with the Sharpshooter, but Logan jumped in the break it up and the referee called for the bell, presumably a DQ. The teams brawled, which the Riott Squad briefly got the better of, but Bayley and Banks worked together to take out Logan and Morgan. Natalya finished off Ruby with a German suplex. 

Elias performed on his guitar. Elias said he can see into the future and knows what John Cena knows, what the crowd knows, and that’s that WWE stands for “walk with Elias.” Elias claimed he had lunch with Carson Wentz and asked about his injuries. Wentz told him that true pain was pretending to care about the shameful city of Philadephia. The crowd booed.

Elias also took a shot at Gritty, the Flyers mascot, calling it a splitting image of every person in this city–a fat, ugly, googly-eyed slob. Elias was about to perform but was interrupted by Apollo Crews.

Crews said so many people interrupt Elias, he wanted to do it too. Crews said he can’t play guitar, he can’t sing, he’s not even funny, but none of that matters when he steps in the ring. Elias heard that Crews was talented, he’s just never seen it. Just like he’s never seen Big Foot, or the Flyers win the Stanley Cup.

Crews said he has kept his mouth shut for too long and is sick of staying the back. Elias went to attack him, but Crews caught him with an enziguri and held him up in a press slam for a while before dropping him. This was a fine segment. 

There was a commercial for Smackdown 1000 plugging appearances by Edge, Evolution, Undertaker, plus the match between Rey Mysterio and Shinsuke Nakamura. 

The Shield defeated Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre (15:36)

Ambrose and Rollins were getting along fine until Ziggler pushed Rollins into Ambrose. They argued, so Reigns tagged himself in and tried to settle things down. They were knocked down by Strowman, then Ziggler gave Reigns a jumping DDT for two.

Strowman worked over Reigns and told McIntyre this is how it’s done. McIntyre tagged himself in, then put the boots to Reigns. Strowman tagged himself back in, then McIntyre told him to just get the job done. Strowman missed a charge, then Reigns gave him a Samoan drop.

Reigns was close to a tag, so McIntyre and Ziggler knocked his teammates off the apron. They gave Reigns the Claymore/Zig-Zag combo, but Ambrose and Rollins broke up the cover. Reigns made the hot tag to Rollins, who then tagged Ambrose.

Ambrose and Rollins did suicide dives to McIntyre and Ziggler. They tried it on Strowman, but he caught them both, then Reigns took out Strowman with a superman punch. Ambrose used a jackknife cover on McIntyre, but Ziggler broke it up. Rollins fought him off and Ambrose gave McIntyre the Dirty Deeds. Ambrose made the cover, but Ziggler shoved Rollins into Ambrose.

Ambrose got in Rollins’ face. Ambrose was about to back off, then Rollins grabbed him by the arm. Ambrose kicked him and was about to hit Dirty Deeds, but Ziggler got in the way and gave Ambrose the Zig-Zag for a close nearfall.

Reigns came in and handed out superman punches. He avoided a charge from Strowman, then McIntyre gave Strowman a Claymore kick by mistake. Reigns speared McIntyre, then the Shield gave Ziggler the triple powerbomb for the win. The Shield celebrated and left together, all on the same page again.

After the Shield left, Strowman towered over Ziggler as the crowd chanted “get these hands.” Strowman gave Ziggler a powerslam, then McIntyre flew in and gave Strowman a Claymore kick. McIntyre marched off as his music played. McIntyre looked back to see Strowman get back to his feet. They stared at each other as the show ended.