Wrestling Lockup With Brandon 5/9/17: RAW London Recap

By Brandon Albright, @B_Rock1978

Cheerio mates! Monday Night RAW was live in London, England this week. RAW General Manager Kurt Angle was unable to be present, so WWE gave the Hollywood snob himself, The Miz and the resident lunatic, WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose the general manager power this week. How crazy would RAW turn out with these two in charge??

** This Weeks Card **
- The Miz battled Finn Balor.
- WWE RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss battled Mickie James in a non title match.
- Braun Strowman battled Kalisto, as Strowman had one arm tied behind his back.
- A #1 Contenders Tag Team Turmoil Match took place to determine the WWE RAW World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boys' next opponents.
- Seth Rollins battled Samoa Joe.
- TJ Perkins battled Jack Gallagher.
- Sasha Banks battled Alicia Fox.
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose battled Bray Wyatt in a non title match.

- Promos By: WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose

** RAW **

- Backstage, Dean Ambrose is shown on the phone talking to Kurt Angle and is headed to the ring for a big announcement.

- Dean Ambrose Promo: Ambrose announces that Kurt Angle won't be here tonight and has made Ambrose the acting General Manager. The Miz interrupts and announces that Stephanie McMahon has named Miz the Co-Acting General Manager tonight as well. Braun Strowman interrupts next and he has his arm in a sling. Strowman says as long as Roman Reigns is still walking he's not finished with him, once his arm heals he'll make true to his word and then he'll be going after WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Kalisto interrupts next and says he's not finished with Strowman, mocks Strowman for losing to him in a Dumpster Match and then begs Ambrose for a match with Strowman. Ambrose gives Kalisto his match and then announces Miz vs. Finn Balor to kick off RAW.

- The Miz vs. Finn Balor: The match closes out with Maryse getting on the apron and distracting the referee. Miz shoves Balor into the referee, grabs a microphone and announces that he's using his GM powers to DQ Balor for touching a referee. Dean Ambrose arrives, uses his GM powers to restart the match and then bans Maryse from ringside. Balor hits Slingblade on Miz and then the Coup de Grace for the pinfall.
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Nia Jax asks Alexa Bliss for a WWE RAW Women's Championship Match after Alexa is finished with Bayley. Alexa says she'll work something out with Kurt Angle. Nia thanks her and says Alexa just earned Nia's friendship.

- Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James: Nia Jax and Bayley are at ringside to watch this match. The match closes out with Mickie going to the apron, but Nia Jax grabs her leg. Bayley hits a cross body block on Nia, taking her out. Mickie is still distracted by what's going on, allowing Alexa to capitalize and score the pinfall. After the match, Alexa continues to beat on Mickie with punches. Bayley makes the save, chasing off Alexa. Nia suddenly attacks Mickie from behind, corner splashes her and then drops an elbow, leaving Mickie laid out.
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall.

- Backstage, Dean Ambrose uses his GM powers to give The Miz the rest of the night off. The Miz uses his GM powers to announce Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt later tonight.

- Backstage, Samoa Joe says that Seth Rollins calling out Brock Lesnar ain't happening because Joe isn't done with Rollins yet. Rollins suddenly attacks from behind and brawls with Joe until WWE Officials separate them.

- Braun Strowman vs. Kalisto: Strowman says he's injured so he's refusing this match. Kalisto attacks and the match begins. The match closes out with Roman Reigns hitting the ring still wrapped from his injuries and attacks Strowman's bad arm. Reigns hits three Superman Punches and sends Strowman outside. Reigns goes for a spear, but eats a boot. Strowman misses a charge, eats the ring post and gets his arm unloaded on by Reigns. Reigns wraps Strowman's arm around the ring post, smashes it on the apron and then unloads steel chair shots on Strowman's arm until WWE Officials finally step in.
Winner: No Contest.

- Backstage, Goldust tries to pep talk R-Truth. Truth says he's ready as he listens to his music.

- "Tag Team Turmoil Match": Enzo and Big Cass vs. Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Goldust and R-Truth vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson:

** First Elimination: Enzo and Big Cass battle Sheamus and Cesaro to start things off. The match closes out with Sheamus and Cass brawling on the floor where Cass is sent into the ring post. Cesaro hits a running uppercut on Enzo and makes him tap out to the Sharpshooter submission.

** Second Elimination: Next up its Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno. The match closes out with Sheamus kicking Rhyno off the apron and takes control of Slater. Cesaro holds Slater allowing Sheamus to nail a Brogue Kick for the pinfall. 

** Third Elimination: Next up its Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The match closes out with Sheamus getting double teamed. The Club attempt Magic Killer, but Cesaro breaks it up. Cesaro and Anderson brawl outside as Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick on Gallows for the pinfall.

** Final Elimination: We're down to Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Goldust and R-Truth. The match closes out with Truth unloading as Sheamus gets tossed outside. Truth with a near fall heel kick and a near fall scissors kick. Truth misses a corner splash and gets rolled up for the pinfall by Cesaro. After the match Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Goldust and beat down Truth. The Hardy's appear on the RAW stage to "Delete" chants and stare down their new opponents.
Winners: Sheamus and Cesaro to become the new #1 Contenders.

- Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins: The match closes out with Rollins accidentally pulling the turnbuckle pad off and then getting tossed into the exposed buckle. The referee tries to put the pad back on, but Joe grabs it and tosses it. Joe sends Rollins head first into the exposed steel and the referee DQ's Joe. After the match, Rollins gets tossed into the exposed steel again. Joe then locks on the Coquina Clutch and chokes Rollins out. Joe finally releases the hold and tells Rollins things will be over between them when he chooses them to be over.
Winner: Seth Rollins, by DQ.

- TJ Perkins vs. Jack Gallagher: The match closes out with Perkins locking in a submission on Gallagher. Gallagher escapes and trades offense with Perkins. Gallagher counters the Detonation Kick, but gets rolled up by Perkins. Perkins holds a handful of tights and steals the pinfall. After the match, Gallagher complains to the referee and then gets attacked by Perkins. Perkins traps Gallagher in the knee bar submission as Austin Aries hits the ring. Perkins escapes Aries as Aries helps Gallagher to his feet. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville appears with Perkins and smiles at Aries and Gallagher.
Winner: TJ Perkins, by pinfall.

- Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox: The match closes out with Sasha tossing Alicia across the ring. Alicia counters a Back Stabber and lands shots on Sasha in the corner. Sasha hits double knees from the top rope to out of nowhere to score the pinfall. After reviewing the replay it showed Alicia had her shoulder up before the three count.
Winner: Sasha Banks, by pinfall.

- Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose: The Miz and Maryse are on commentary. The match closes out with The Miz attempting to distract Ambrose with his own WWE Intercontinental Championship. Bray counters Dirty Deeds, but Ambrose hits the ropes and suicide dives onto Miz. Miz hits Ambrose with the Intercontinental Championship as Ambrose gets back into the ring. The referee missed what happened as Bray hits Sister Abigail for the pinfall. After the match, Miz attacks and beats down Ambrose. Miz promises that after he wins the Intercontinental Championship next week he will simply be.......AWESOME!
Winner: Bray Wyatt, by pinfall.