Here are your quick and dirty, editorial-free WWE Raw results for August 1, 2016, the “second episode of a new era.” The show was headlined by the return of Brock Lesnar and a Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn match, which Rollins requested so he could beat up one of Finn Bálor’s friends.
Be back here tomorrow for the full Best and Worst of Raw column.
WWE Raw Results
— The show opened with new WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks addressing the crowd. She was interrupted by Charlotte, then Chris Jericho. Enzo Amore counter-argued on Sasha’s behalf, which led to a mixed tag match.
1. Charlotte and Chris Jerico defeated Sasha Banks and Enzo Amore. Dana Brooke ran in to distract Sasha Banks, allowing Charlotte to hit Banks with Natural Selection and get the pin.
2. Braun Strowman defeated Evan Engerholt. Once again, the “local talent” got a short in-ring interview to boast, but fell victim to the reverse chokeslam and got pinned in short order.
3. The Shining Stars defeated Golden Truth. R-Truth spent most of the match playing Pokemon Go on the ring apron, which ultimately proved to be Golden Truth’s downfall.
— A Finn Bálor in-ring interview was interrupted by his SummerSlam opponent, Seth Rollins. They verbally sparred, then Rollins tried to cheap-shot Bálor, but was thwarted and sent packing.
4. United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) defeated Mark Henry. Henry had asked Stephanie McMahon for this opportunity to prove he still has something left in the tank. Rusev managed to lock in the Accolade, forcing Henry to tap.
— After the match, Roman Reigns came to the ring and had a staredown with Rusev. They traded blows and Rusev fled after being hit by a Superman Punch on the outside.
5. Titus O’Neil defeated Darren Young. Titus got the win with a roll-up and a handful of tights.
— Backstage after the match, O’Neil was arguing with a livid Bob Backlund when Young jumped Titus from behind.
6. Nia Jax defeated Ariel Monroe. Jax emphatically demolished her opponent — more local talent — with a fireman’s carry into a fall-forward slam.
7. The New Day defeated The Club. The New Day drew fruit to determine which one of them would be banned from ringside for this match, per The Club’s request. Woods drew the banana, so he was banned. Big E rolled up Anderson for the pin, but the Club beat down New Day after the match, hitting Big E with two Boots Of Doom. Woods tried to make the save, but failed.
8. Cesaro defeated Sheamus. Both men asked for a chance to prove their worth to Stephanie and Mick, so they got this showcase match. Cesaro managed to catch Sheamus in the Gotch Neutralizer and pick up the pinfall victory.
— After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro brawled, which segued into Heath Slater and the returning Jinder Mahal getting in the ring. 2MB is now the hottest free agent act in WWE. Mick Foley came out and offered them a match against each other to earn a Raw contract.
9. Jinder Mahal defeated Heath Slater. Slater tried to complain to Foley, but Mahal hit a big boot and got the immediate pin.
10. Seth Rollins defeated Sami Zayn. Zayn came close several times, but ultimately fell victim to the Pedigree and got pinned.
— Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman returned for an in-ring promo hyping SummerSlam and Lesnar’s match against Randy Orton. Orton showed up at the end to hit an RKO out of nowhere on Lesnar, then he left through the crowd.
