Monday Night Raw July 18th 2016

Lithium93_

Last RAW before the brand split, and the go home show for Battleground.
Dean Ambrose defends his WWE Championship against Seth Rollins, and Shane & Stephanie will reveal the General Manager's of RAW & SMACKDOWN respectively.

Here's what in store.....

Will a new WWE Champion be crowned on Raw?
Following an extremely intense encounter last Monday on Raw, WWE Champion Dean Ambrose showed himself to be a true fighting champion by offering to defend his title against Seth Rollins at any point. The Architect chose this Monday night on Raw as the time and place to challenge for WWE’s most coveted prize, presenting some very interesting scenarios.

With their WWE Battleground Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship – including their fellow former Shield member Roman Reigns—just days away, could Rollins walk into the highly anticipated pay-per-view as the new champion? Will these former allies-turned-bitter enemies tear each other to pieces before they even get to wage war Sunday, July 24, at WWE Battleground? Plus, with the WWE Brand Extension Draft going down for the Wednesday morning premiere of SmackDown Live, will this potentially be one of the final showdowns between these heated rivals?

Who will be the General Managers of Raw and SmackDown Live?
Last week on Raw, WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon named Shane McMahon as the new Commissioner of SmackDown Live and Stephanie McMahon the new Commissioner of Raw. Furthermore, he ordered them both to hire new General Managers in charge of day-to-day business for their respective shows. Those GMs will be revealed this Monday, on the eve of the WWE Draft which will take place during the explosive premiere of SmackDown Live Wednesday morning at 1 am on Sky Sports 5

But who will it be? Could the new GMs be past General Managers, such as Vickie Guerrero (Excuse Me!), John Laurinaitis (People Power!), Teddy Long (Holla Holla!) or Booker T (Can you dig it … Sucker!)? Could they be current WWE Superstars? What about alumni? WWE Hall of Famers? Certainly, there are a slew of past and present competitors capable of capturing the respect of both the locker room and the WWE Universe while helping to bring their brand to a new level of prominence.

Who will help Sasha Banks against Charlotte & Dana Brooke at WWE Battleground?
After a brutal post-match assault on Sasha Banks on SmackDown, WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte informed her adversary that she and Dana Brooke signed a contract to take on The Boss and a partner of her choosing at WWE Battleground.

That last part may be harder than it seems. Despite the fact The Boss is such an intense competitor (for perhaps because of it), she doesn’t have a lot of allies. Can she secure a partner, or will she be forced to face the titleholder and her powerful protégé all by lonesome?

Wyatts to New Day: Come out, come out wherever you are
Last week, Raw stood witness to one of the strangest brawls ever when WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day journeyed into the Wyatt Family Compound to go head-on with Bray Wyatt and his followers. However, when The New Face of Fear revealed an entire horde of sheep-masked Family members, Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods were forced to retreat.

So, what now? Has the horrific outing destroyed the trio’s Power of Positivity heading into the final Raw before they face the First Family of Fear at WWE Battleground? Or has it strengthened their resolve? Plus, with Tuesday’s WWE Draft threatening to fracture both groups when SmackDown Live premieres this Wednesday, is the most unpredictable element of their current situation yet to reveal itself?

Will The Bulgarian Brute crush a Broski?
Last Thursday on SmackDown, United States Champion Rusev lost to Dolph Ziggler, with an assist from his No. 1 contender at WWE Battleground, Zack Ryder. Afterward, the titleholder threw an absolute tantrum, completely dismantling the announce table. Is Ryder destined to suffer a fate not unlike those poor, helpless monitors on the final Raw before his United States Title opportunity? Considering the Bulgarian Brute’s track record when he’s angry, perhaps Long Island Iced Z should take Monday night off.

SKY SPORTS 5 - 1 AM

DM_7

The reveal of the GMs to open RAW.

I hope the title match gets a proper build during the show and is allowed a clean finish.

Itssoeasy

On the WWE championship and the draft. What are people's opinions on the one or two world titles ?

For me personally I have always been of the mind set that there should only be one world's champion. But I'm a big fan of old school wrestling where there was only ever one world's champion.

BUT having thought about it I feel like having two this time would be a good idea(even though I hated it the last time) because I just think 2016 is the right time whereas 2002 wasn't.

SureYWouldntYa

DM_7 wrote: »

The reveal of the GMs to open RAW.

I hope the title match gets a proper build during the show and is allowed a clean finish.

6 days before another title match involving them and an extra?

You're a hopeful man

Don't see a conclusive finish or the title changing hands either

Lithium93_

Ambrose to retain via shenanigans of some kind.

Lord TSC

Big spoiler. Click at own peril.

Daniel Bryan is backstage at Raw tonight. It's expected he will be Smackdown's general manager. Great move if true. If hey want SD to be different, putting Bryan as he guy calling the shots will lend great creedance to it.

SureYWouldntYa

Lord TSC wrote: »

Big spoiler. Click at own peril.

Daniel Bryan is backstage at Raw tonight. It's expected he will be Smackdown's general manager. Great move if true. If hey want SD to be different, putting Bryan as he guy calling the shots will lend great creedance to it.

Top choice if it does happen. And if HHH is the Raw GM it gives a proper rivalry off the start for the opposing shows.

JP Liz V1

Long shot but I would love Christian back as a GM

ERG89

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Long shot but I would love Christian back as a GM

Better option than

HHH with his boring monologues & idiot wife who is responsible for burying more people than heart disease. Do wwe not realise that run killed the ratings previously?

the groutch

ERG89 wrote: »

Better option than

HHH with his boring monologues & idiot wife who is responsible for burying more people than heart disease. Do wwe not realise that run killed the ratings previously?

if the GMs are as expected, I can see Smackdown having higher ratings than Raw before the end of the year.

Joe Musashi

Would like Eric Bischoff back as a GM. Seems unlikely though.

the groutch

Joe Musashi wrote: »

Would like Eric Bischoff back as a GM. Seems unlikely though.

so would I, but WCPW have signed him for an appearance at one of their shows next month, so pretty much zero chance.

HHH would be such a let down. It would be the same ****e we've seen for the last few years with him as COO.

Would love Bischoff like the poster above said.

J. Marston

Bischoff would be worth it for that theme alone.

"I'M BAAACK!"

Mr.Nice Guy

They've been referencing history the past few weeks with appearances from former Smackdown GMs - Vickie, Teddy, Laurinaitis etc.

It would be epic if, as a follow-on from that, it was announced that the new GM was indeed a former General Manager - and out steps Kurt Angle. The place would erupt.

seandotcomm

Why was there no "Ladyballs" chant.....?!?!?
Crowds these days......

seandotcomm

Cruiserweight division! awesome!!!
lame way to announce it though...

Agent Coulson

Already throwing away the Cruiserweight division with an offhand announcement

seandotcomm

Unreal!!!! Foley!

J. Marston

That's a surprise. Thought HHH was nailed on.

Mr.Nice Guy

Nice to see Foley but, storyline-wise, why would she choose him? Doesn't make sense.

johnnysmack

Foley, no thanks.

seandotcomm

hope he gets to bring his daughter as an assistant...

PTH2009

The way foley announces the host town is going to get on my nerves lol

Wonder what way trips is going to fit in now ??

johnnysmack

Forgotten his lines already haha!!

Mr.Nice Guy

It is Daniel Bryan then. Oh good he's trimmed the hair down.

Hint, hint, Foley.

johnnysmack

Stephanie really needs to learn when to stay quiet but if she hasn't learned it by now I guess she never will.

PTH2009

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

It is Daniel Bryan then. Oh good he's trimmed the hair down.

Hint, hint, Foley.

Will he have to leave his CWC job now that it's exclusive to raw ???

Agent Coulson

I genuinely believe Stephanie is jealous of the reactions Shane gets week in week out with her what seems little off script comments.

Mr.Nice Guy

PTH2009 wrote: »

Will he have to leave his CWC job now that it's exclusive to raw ???

Good question.

johnnyryan89

PTH2009 wrote: »

Will he have to leave his CWC job now that it's exclusive to raw ???

I think the tournament will be separate from the belt so I'm not sure. Possibly have Cory Graves take his spot.

Agent Coulson

Is Smackdown going live on Sky?

Itssoeasy

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Is Smackdown going live on Sky?

Yep.

seandotcomm

That whole segment was so tame...

Foley is a strange choice. Even in the segment there I feel it should have been an out and out heel against good guy Bryan.

Omackeral

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Already throwing away the Cruiserweight division with an offhand announcement

Ok maybe actually wait til we see what they're doing before declaring it thrown away!? The CWC has been class so far. Could be good.

Omackeral

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Is Smackdown going live on Sky?

It's on the same time tomorrow on Sky Sports 5

Mr.Nice Guy

Deleted User wrote: »

Foley is a strange choice. Even in the segment there I feel it should have been an out and out heel against good guy Bryan.

I agree.

Foley is maybe the best babyface authority figure ever, but he's been back on telly every so often that his returns don't mean much any more. They went for a nostalgia pop with him but I feel like it won't work this time.

Eric Bischoff would have been a great contrast to Daniel Bryan, plus there's history with him and Stephanie to play off.

I can't see Foley lasting long in the role. My prediction is he'll be ousted within 3 months. Probably have The Authority back then.

johnnyryan89

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Foley is a strange choice. Even in the segment there I feel it should have been an out and out heel against good guy Bryan.

Have a feeling Foley will be gone at Survivor Series or by Royal Rumble. Bring in the face gm and a legend like Mick to make the show look hip and cool but Smackdown will probably better Raw in the ratings war and give team Smackdown the win at SS and can have Triple H return for a hostile takeover to become gm.

Mr.Nice Guy

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I agree.

Foley is maybe the best babyface authority figure ever, but he's been back on telly every so often that his returns don't mean much any more. They went for a nostalgia pop with him but I feel like it won't work this time.

Eric Bischoff would have been a great contrast to Daniel Bryan, plus there's history with him and Stephanie to play off.

I can't see Foley lasting long in the role. My prediction is he'll be ousted within 3 months. Probably have The Authority back then.

Yeah, feels like its going to build up to Stephanie saying you're doing a lousy job and HHH etc taking over.

Would have loved to have seen Bischoff announced.

johnnysmack

What a stupid end to the show but it does have the potential to set up two champions.

764dak

Mick Foley is in charge of the cruiserweight division while Daniel Bryan is on Smackdown.

IncognitoMan

Looked like they were setting up Seth to Raw and Dean to Smackdown at the end as well. Raw definitely looks like it's getting the better deal here

Ben Gadot

IncognitoMan wrote: »

Looked like they were setting up Seth to Raw and Dean to Smackdown at the end as well. Raw definitely looks like it's getting the better deal here

I expect Smackdown to get a tighter group of stars while Raw will of course get stars but also filler.

To be honest all going well Smackdown is the show I'll be looking forward to if it's 2 hours of exclusive quality as opposed to the tediousness of the 3 hour Raw.

Rollins, Cena and Reigns will be the "star men" of Raw if I'm guessing. After those 3 I think they'll make the draft very kind to SD, they kind of have to if they want it to work.

Chain Smoker

Alternatively : cena goes to smackdown at the request of USA, Raw gets everyone else because it's raw.


Is stephanie writing a book called Ladyballs?!

Lord TSC

The end cleared up a question I asked in the draft thread yesterday; namely, if Steph has first pick, why wouldn't she choose the WWE Champion Ambrose over Rollins. The end, and the title confusion, means that Steph can pick Rollins as the WWE Champ. It also sets up enough confusion to allow the GM without a champ after the PPV to set up a new world title.

Foley seemed strange at first, but they needed a face to start things off; when Steph was talking, I was left thinking "Who'll tune into a show with a heel as the lead figure when you've got Shane and Bryan on Smackdown?" Likewise, while the CW division seems a strange fit for Raw, I'd imagine that...

A. they'll get more time on Raw
B. Bryan, logically, probably wouldn't segregate them, and they can still move specific wrestlers over to the SD brand if nessecary.

Outside of the opening and closing segment, usual Raw filler. The CW division will give me a reason to stick with Raw for a while, I guess Really excited for the Draft tonight though.

IncognitoMan

Ben Gadot wrote: »

I expect Smackdown to get a tighter group of stars while Raw will of course get stars but also filler.

To be honest all going well Smackdown is the show I'll be looking forward to if it's 2 hours of exclusive quality as opposed to the tediousness of the 3 hour Raw.

Rollins, Cena and Reigns will be the "star men" of Raw if I'm guessing. After those 3 I think they'll make the draft very kind to SD, they kind of have to if they want it to work.

Ah yeah I was just hoping that Rollins would end up on smackdown instead of raw as like you said I can't really be bothered watching 3 hour raws every week.

With Rollins and the cruiserweight division Raw is looking strong. Really looking forward to tonight now.

Bounty Hunter

I love how Bryan is almost embarrassed about how popular he is when he comes out.

johnnyryan89

Is the rest of Raw worth watching? Caught as far as the 12 man tag match and lost interest mid way through it.

ERG89

The review a wai draft is enjoyable. Only watched the opening I can't imagine how hard Raw will be to watch with Stephanie being an authority figure; not thrilled about the human dust ball Mick Foley showing up but better than HHH.

Cheese Wagstaff

Interesting to note how Ambrose no-sold Rollins' turnbuckle Powerbomb straight into Dirty Deeds, and not a mention from anyone about it anywhere.

A few weeks ago Reigns no-sold it into a Superman Punch, and all the talk was about how he disrespected the move that ended Sting's career and made Seth look weak.

Interesting.