Tag: RAW

Rusev Returns To WWE Action

Following a brief hiatus from WWE TV, Rusev returned on Raw this week and got involved in the baby drama between Mike and Maria Kanellis.

Last night’s edition of RAW featured a gender reveal party that ended with an angry Maria telling Mike that Ricochet was the father of her baby. Frustrated over the revelation, Mike challenged Ricochet to a match … even though the former United States champ denied the accusation.

Ricochet picked up the win with ease and Maria scolded her husband for it afterward. She then said Ricochet obviously wasn’t the father, but teased revealing the father in that moment.

That’s when Rusev’s music hit and he made his way to the ring in tremendous shape with a new look. After a brief interaction in the ring, Rusev demolished Mike Kanellis.

Rusev’s last match in WWE took place back in June at Super ShowDown.

According to sources, Rusev was kept hidden backstage before and during RAW to keep the surprise return a secret. It’s unclear if he’ll eventually be re-paired with Lana, and her status in all of this was also questioned during RAW.

Below are the videos of what happened from last night’s RAW:

WWE RAW Preview 9/16/19 – King Of The Ring Finals

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee with the fallout from WWE Clash of Champions.

* The King approaches: King of the Ring Tournament Finals: Baron Corbin vs. Chad Gable

* Back on Boss Time? – Fallout from RAW Women’s Championship: (C) Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks

* What will be the fallout from The Fiend’s ruthless assault on Rollins?

* Alexander the second? – Cedric going for AJ’s WWE United States Title after Clash loss?

WWE Draft Officially Announced

Reports began surfacing earlier this month of a WWE Draft taking place in October as SmackDown makes its way to FOX on Friday, October 4.

Earlier today, during the 1 pm ET NFL game on FOX it was announced the WWE Draft will begin on the October 11 episode of SmackDown and will then continue the following Monday (October 14) on RAW on the USA Network.

The 2019 WWE  Draft has been confirmed to begin on the October 11 SmackDown episode, then wrap on the October 14 RAW episode.

WWE has announced that Superstars will be appearing on RAW and SmackDown along with personalities from Fox and NBCUniversal programming, who will announce the picks.

WWE issued the following press release to us this afternoon to confirm the Draft:

WWE® DRAFT SET FOR FOX AND USA NETWORK ON OCTOBER 11 AND 14

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 15, 2019 – The destiny of WWE’s Superstars will be determined during a two-night draft taking place live on Friday Night SmackDown® on October 11 at 8 pm ET on the FOX broadcast network and Monday Night Raw® on October 14 at 8 pm ET on USA Network.

On both nights of the draft, Superstars from Raw and SmackDown will appear along with personalities from FOX and NBCUniversal programming who will announce select picks from each brand. The draft will determine the Superstars that compete for Raw and SmackDown, which feature distinct casts, unique storylines and dedicated writing teams.

Friday Night SmackDown on October 11 will emanate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas while Monday Night Raw on October 14 will take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Raw and SmackDown are the #1 and #2 longest-running weekly episodic television shows in U.S. primetime history. The programs have aired more original episodes than The Simpsons, Gunsmoke, Lassie and Monday Night Football.

Raw will continue airing on USA Network while SmackDown moves to FOX beginning Friday, October 4.

Michael Cole Possibly Joining The WWE SmackDown Announce Team, Vic Joseph Rumored For RAW

As noted earlier, via @Wrestlevotes, WWE is planning to make significant changes to the announce teams when they make the other changes for the fall following the SmackDown Fox premiere on Friday, October 4. It was also noted that there’s talk of bringing the two-man booth back.

In an update, @Wrestlevotes revealed this afternoon that Michael Cole is scheduled to head to SmackDown from RAW. Vic Joseph would then go to RAW to be the lead announcer there.

It should be noted that these changes with Cole and Joseph are not set in stone, but this is the working idea.

Cole currently calls RAW with Corey Graves and Renee Young. Joseph is calling 205 Live with Aiden English and WWE NXT Superstar Dio Maddin, who made his debut last night to replace Nigel McGuinness, who is headed to NXT full-time to call the Wednesday night USA Network show with Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix.

There’s no word yet on who will work RAW and SmackDown with Joseph and Cole, but the announce teams are expected to be exclusive to each brand. Tom Phillips currently leads SmackDown with Graves and Byron Saxton. There’s been talk of having Renee be exclusive to SmackDown, because she will be hosting the FS1 WWE studio show on Tuesday nights. Graves could stay on RAW to call the show with Joseph. There’s also no word on if 205 will be called by just Maddin and English each week.

Stay tuned for more updates on the WWE announce teams.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly Planning Significant Announce Team Changes

WWE is scheduled to make significant changes to the announce teams, according to @Wrestlevotes.

We’ve noted how WWE is looking to have more brand exclusivity, with everything from announcers to rosters to storylines, after SmackDown premieres on Fox Friday nights on October 4. The announce team changes are set to be made then.

There’s no word yet on the exact commentary team changes, but word is that all shows will be impacted, including RAW. It was also said that the return of the two-man booth is coming.

As noted, there’s been talk of Renee Young becoming exclusive to SmackDown because she will be hosting the FS1 WWE studio show on Tuesday nights. Corey Graves is expected to call either RAW or SmackDown, but not both shows. Nigel McGuinness has left the 205 Live announce team, to call WWE NXT with Mauro Ranallo and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix each week. 205 Live is now being called by Aiden English, Vic Joseph and NXT Superstar Dio Maddin (Brennan Williams) each week.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Steve Austin Stuns AJ Styles, Ends RAW With Beer Bash Celebration

Last night on RAW “Stone Cold” Steve Austin moderated the Universal Title match contract signing between Champion Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman.

After the contract was signed AJ Styles and the OC came out.

AJ mocks everyone in the ring and talks trash to the fans, telling them to shut up after he gets the “What!?” treatment. The OC gets closer to the ring. AJ tells Austin to stay out of this because it has nothing to do with him. The fans boo AJ more and he says this is why no one likes coming to NYC. The back & forth goes on as The OC stands at ringside now. Everyone chants “asshole!” at AJ. AJ says Austin has turned into a real asshole in his old age. The OC is in the ring now. AJ calls Austin an “old fart” and fans boo him some more. The two sides face off a AJ keeps running his mouth. Austin moves the table out of the way, which was separating the two ides. Austin says he doesn’t know where AJ is coming from, but he knows where AJ’s going. Strowman and Rollins attack The OC as Austin watches. Strowman goes out of the ring and runs over Gallows on the outside, and then Anderson on the ramp. AJ ducks a Stomp in the ring, then sends Rollins out of the ring to the floor. AJ runs his mouth as Austin sneaks up from behind. Fans cheer as Austin waits. AJ turns around to a big Stunner from Austin as fans go wild.

Austin drops down and gets in AJ’s face as the trash talking flies. Austin calls for some of his Broken Skull IPA beers to be tossed in the ring, then hits the corners to pose as the music hits. AJ is laid out on his back in the middle of the ring as Austin makes his exit to the back.

Later at the end of the 10-Man Tag main event, Austin came down and had a beer bash celebration with Rollins, Strowman, Cedric Alexander and the War Raiders.

After RAW went off the air Austin offered a beer and a hand shake with Styles. Austin hit Styles with another Stunner.

WWE RAW Preview 9/9/19

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from Madison Square Garden in New York City with the final red brand build for Sunday’s WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view.

* “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to moderate Universal Championship contract signing between Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman

* Raw King of the Ring Semifinal Match becomes a Triple Threat

* The battle of WWE’s Four Horsewomen

* Rey Mysterio returns to action against Gran Metalik

* Cedric Alexander looks for payback against AJ Styles

WWE RAW Nominated For People’s Choice Award

WWE RAW has been nominated for an E! People’s Choice Award.

RAW was nominated for “The Show of 2019” award. They are going up against Game of Thrones, Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale, Stranger Things, The Big Bang Theory, The Walking Dead and This Is Us.

Fans can vote for RAW at this link. Voting ends on Friday, October 18, and fans can vote up to 25 times.

The E! People’s Choice Awards will air on Sunday, November 10 on the E! network.

Bayley Turned Heel On Last Night’s RAW

Last night’s WWE RAW from Baltimore saw SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley turned heel on RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch.

The turn came after the Women’s Championship Showcase main event, which had Bayley and Lynch teaming to face WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross in a non-title match. Sasha Banks appeared during the match and watched from ringside, after previously locking in a title match with Lynch at WWE Clash of Champions.

Banks attacked Lynch during the match to cause the disqualification, and beat her down with a steel chair until Bayley made the save. Bayley then took the chair from Banks, and hesitated before smiling and unloading on Lynch. RAW went off the air with the crowd chanting “yes!” before Bayley ended her assault on The Man.

Banks will challenge Lynch at the September 15 Clash of Champions pay-per-view. Bayley will defend against Charlotte Flair that same night.

WWE RAW Preview 9/2/19

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD

* Can Ricochet repeat history in King of the Ring quarterfinals?

* Cedric faces down Corbin … but there’s a problem

* Banks’ statements

* Rey Mysterio returns to Raw

* Monday Night Braullins