The PG Era Rant: Raw, 7.14.14

When last we left our heroes, the cats were away and the mice did play. The Authority's ground troops showed dissent, but were willing to work together to try to get the Championship back in their possession. But a lone wolf stopped them again from success. Tonight, six days away from a four-way dance, can they unite as one without their individual egos getting in the way?

Oh, and something something Steve Borden something. Maybe.

The PG Era Rant for Raw, 7.14.14.

Live from Richmond, VA.

Your hosts are Cole, Lawler, and Layfield, LLC.

Your Pre-Show preview:

• Your main event: Dean Ambrose, John Cena, Roman Reigns v. Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, THEDEMONKANE
• Alexander Rusev and Jack Swagger to have detente peace talks (because Vince McMahon is stuck in the 80s)
• Chris Jericho will call out Bray Wyatt, demanding answers.
• Ric Flair is in the house!
• Added to the Battle Royal: Adam Rose, Sin Cara, Titus O'Neil, Heath Slater, R-Truth, Xavier Woods, Miztista, El Matador Primo, Zack Ryder. At last count, that puts us at 22. They join Rob Van Dam, Damien Sandow, Alberto Del Rio, Fandango, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Big E Langston, Dolph Ziggler, Antonio Cesaro, Bo Dallas, Sheamus (positioned as favorite), Kofi Kingston, and the Great Khali.

(Warning: this recap is heavily detailed.  Read at your own risk.)

And we waste no time in opening with John Cena! We open with a look back at last week, but there's no Rollins or Ambrose in it, wasting an opportunity to build to the six-man main event tonight (graphic here). Cena pumps the crowd up as he can, and this segment gets the PPV hashtag. The crowd is loud, and it's because it's the go-home show. Cena makes a statement: if you haven't signed up, get to the free preview that ends at midnight, and do it for the titles! See, in six days, Cena may no longer be champion. The problem is Cena's in a Fatal Four-Way with Kane (Boo), Randy Orton (Squeal), and Roman Reigns (Yay). And in that match, it's sudden death for the championship, and the decision doesn't have to involve Cena.

So now that we have the ground rules, here's Roman Reigns! And the crowd is united behind him. Cena with a couplet to Reigns for an intro. They team tonight, but on Sunday they're foes. Cena thanks Reigns for saving him when he was in a bad way... and yeah, he got the message from the end of the show. Cena knows it's every man for himself, but that's only if they get to Sunday. Reigns has been treated poorly by the Authority and... “Get to the damn point, John.” Okay, fine. Let's team up to handle business tonight, take Kane and Orton away early, and then we find out how good Reigns really is.

Reigns agrees – getting Orton and Kane out is a great idea. And then we'll find out how good Cena really is.

But before the conversation can continue, Dean Ambrose files in from his undisclosed location. Stop arguing about who's better, because there's a fight tonight. Kane, Orton and “HHH's little bag boy” Seth Rollins will have a plan. But the news is: Operation Screw the Authority is Ambrose's plan, and it starts with everyone on the same page to destroy the Authority.

And then the Authority finds Ambrose and gives him the 3-on-1 treatment, throwing him into some very loud set design. It doesn't slow Ambrose down because nothing slows him down, so he charges back in, only to get thrown into a garage door repeatedly by all of the Authority. The three-man beating continues, with Rollins Hammer Throwing Ambrose into the garage door and Orton Punting Ambrose in the gut. Stomps everywhere, but they're not done as Ambrose eats concrete wall and Kane chokeslams him on some steamer trunks. Ambrose: “That all you guys got?” Famous last words as Rollins adds the Curbstomp to Ambrose, who was kind enough to roll over so it could hit the back of his head. Now Ambrose is done, and the Authority walks away, satisfied. Go to break.

I get the feeling this'll make tonight a handicap match, and Ambrose won't return until he bursts back onto the scene to stop Rollins again. And I'd have nothing wrong with that.

Let's look back at the beating.

We're told Ambrose is being sent to a medical facility and is questionable for the main event.

Non-title: Sheamus v. Miztista. Sheamus does an inset promo about how Miz hates getting hit in the face, so Sheamus will kick his face into next week. Miz has a counter-promo about the battle royal, saying he'll win it. It makes sense, really. He's adored all over the world, so he should be champion. But tonight, his goal is to keep from getting hit in the face with the Brogue Kick. And here's a perk for his fans: his face will be on the Tron all match. If ever there was a time for 18 seconds, this is it, but we don't get it. Lockup and Miz ducks under the ropes. Miz with a waistlock, but Sheamus tackles him down and gets a back elbow. He feigns a big right and Miztista bails. Back in, Miz kicks Sheamus away in the corner, but Sheamus reverses only to get low bridged out. Crowd is hot for Sheamus, who drags Miz out and goes CLUBBERIN, THEY BE CLUBBERIN TONY. Miz, though, reverses Sheamus into the barricade. Back in, Miz goes up, landing a double axhandle for one. He adds shots to Sheamus's head, but Sheamus reverses a whip and gets the Finlay Roll. Miz bails from an elbowdrop and stalls as we go to break.

I'm currently arguing with a minion over whether Seth Rollins getting the big push he's getting is a sign that RoHbots have taken over wrestling and will kill anyone who doesn't reach their standards. I think Ambrose and Reigns are doing all right, myself, but hey, what do I know? I'm a stupid recapper.

Sheamus/Miztista, part two. We're on the outside, but only long enough to throw Miz in... but he rolls back out. We've been told that this is nothing new. Miz escapes and sends Sheamus into the post, and Miz kicks Sheamus off the steps. Back in, Miz with something for one. He goes to the leglock as we see MIZ BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU and look at the list of people in the battle royal. Sheamus breaks, but Miz with kicks to the head only for the second one to get caught. Sheamus shoves down Miz and does Irish Hammers and a shoulder ram in the corner, but the kneelift misses. Miz is tossed to the apron, and then the kneelift hits... and it's Ten of Clubs time (total: 15). Miz is tossed back in, and an Oklahoma Slam gets two. Sheamus gets a Northern Lariat and stops Miz from escaping, getting a big kick. To the top, but he's caught and Miz slams him off. Kneeling DDT gets two. Miz softens up Sheamus's leg and tries the figure-four, but Sheamus kicks off and catches Miz in the Irish Curse for two. Sheamus with more clubs, but Miz kicks to escape and tries the Skull Crushing Finale. Sheamus escapes, but Brogue Kicks the top turnbuckle, allowing Miz to cradle for the big upset at 10:44. Perfectly Acceptable Wrestling. **1/4

Backstage, the Authority Three laugh about their accomplishments. Orton says if they can do their jobs like that on Sunday, he'll be champion. Kane: “What do you mean by THAT, Randy?” Or maybe Kane is champion. The two will trust each other as much as they trust each other. So HHH tells them to trust each other because he does. What matters is that on Sunday, the title is in the Authority's control again. So decide who wins on Sunday – they need to clean house tonight. And that will require trust. Message sent, the two walk off. Stephanie appears for some canoodling (where'd Rollins go??), buttering him up and planting a kiss on him. A long one.

Dolph Ziggler is next! So get the Network! Preview ends at midnight... so just go subscribe and get it overwith. (Seriously, why wouldn't you?)

Seriously, Seth Rollins just kinda exited stage left when the camera was on Kane and Orton arguing. It was weird.

But first, a Rewind to last Friday, as Fandango gets double-dumped.

Dolph Ziggler v. Fandango. Hey, they're in the battle royal too! Lockup, and Fandango holds a headlock. Dolph gets run over, but pops up with a VERY exaggerated hiptoss. Dropkick misses, and Fandango stomps away. Fandango punches at Dolph, getting a Hammer Throw for one. To the chinlock as the crowd tries to rally Dolph. He punches out, but Fandango with a hairpull slam. Fandango with a side headlock now, but Dolph punches out and gets a running clothesline. Stinger Splash airballs as Dolph eats post. And then the music hits and it's dance time on the table! Layla and Summer dance away, which distracts Fandango, Lawler, and every heterosexual male in the audience. Dolph knocks Fandango over, and something something Famouser wins it at 3:03. Match was just background, so no need to rate. The girls enter the ring and dance some more, this time around Dolph. Dolph's hardcore – he'll take them both! It's a kiss on both cheeks! They make Jillian Hall references for no reason as everyone leaves.

Your main event tonight may or may not be a 6-man tag! Will Cena and Reigns be on the same page? Will they have a partner?

Line of the Night from that match had Cole say “I can't see the ring.” To which JBL and Lawler simultaneously respond “Why would you want to?” It's a midcard comedy angle. Whatever.

It's backstage for a Sonic ad. Damien Sandow is a delivery guy for Sonic, complete with roller skates he's not used to yet. And enter the Exotic Entourage, as Adam Rose chastises Sandow for being a lemon. They fight over the hot dog (with the Entourage providing yay and boo as appropriate) until Rose leverages Sandow off-screen [darn roller skates]. Sue me, I laughed.

Non-title: The Usos v. Hang on, never mind. Harper and Rowan attack during the intros. The Usos fight back, but to no avail as Rowan sends one of them into the post. Harper with a running big boot that sends that Uso into the crowd, and Rowan rolls the other one in. It's a double-team stomp action, leading to a double crucifix powerbomb (that actually looked kinda dangerous). No match. Harper and Rowan stand tall.

Still to come: RIC FLAIR! But next, detente talks between Swagger/Colter and Rusev/Lana!

Two fun bits I noticed: The Usos slowed their crowd interaction down because Harper and Rowan were a little late coming out; plus, the Detente graphic featured Sgt. Slaughter's music. Oh, and you know what? I may be getting soft, but I kinda liked the Sonic ad.

We return to Alexander Rusev waving the Russian flag like there's no tomorrow while Lana is at the podium. Colter and Swagger get a decent pop as this segment has a hashtag. Swagger goes for the regular Old Glory. WE THE PEOPLE! I'd say this is going to hurt, but it can't be worse than Steiner/Nowinski. Cole explains that this is about easing hostilities. Cole needs to wait out a USA chant (which EVERYONE plays off of). So, will Lana accept the challenge for Battleground is Question One? She repsonds in “the better language” – Russian. Then translates that America is just like Colter: they think violence is the answer. America wants to be the world's savior, but they can't save themselves. (Cribbing from Wyatt, really?) She then insults America, calling everyone in it stupid (so much for easing of hostilities) as the crowd WHATs her on. Lana freaks out over a USA chant and screams for them to shut up. Which, of course, makes them louder. Cole AND Swagger both look like they're going to corpse.

Okay, try again: when the US won their freedom, the first thing they did was fight each other like savages. That's how stupid they are. Much unlike Mother Russia, who has always been a peace-loving country. So all she wants is for Colter to admit his mistakes... and we get ANOTHER USA chant. Colter eggs it on. Anyway, admit your mistakes (Lana imitates the USA chant) and apologize, that's all they want.

Mr. Colter, your rebuttal: “You want ME to apologize? YOU.” Lana's the visitor and wants the Americans to apologize? He then tells “you and Bullwinkle” about his Vietnam veteran experience, and he didn't do this so that “two peglegs” could badmouth the country he served. He took a vow to protect America from all enemies, foregin and domestic. So will he apologize? HELL NO!

Lana is offended by this development and everyone abandons the podiums as another USA chant breaks out. Lana calls Colter arrogant and says it's why the USA is crumbling. But there's hope – see, there's one man who has a remedy to help the disaster in America, and of course it's Putin. Putin, as always, gets more heat than Lana or Rusev.

Colter calls Putin ugly. And he says he has a leader – President Obama (who gets a rather good pop in Democratic Richmond). And whether you like him or not, America RESPECTS him. But enough about this, enough about Putin, and enough talking to Lana. Colter wants an answer from Rusev himself: “When are you gonna step out from behind this woman and be a man and face Jack Swagger at Battleground? Yes or Nyet?” This sparks a We The People chant!

Rusev's response... is in Bulgarian until he says “THIS IS WAR!” I think that's a yes. Lana tells Rusev to leave quietly as Colter eggs on a fight. Colter says he knows who wears the pants in that group. And everyone rise! WE THE PEOPLE!

This infuriates Lana, who slaps Colter hard – and Swagger jumps Rusev! Lana pulls Swagger away, allowing Rusev an edge as Rusev uses Swagger to destroy the the setup. Rusev is ready for the big kick, but Swagger cathces it and slaps on the Patriot Lock! Rusev escapes under the ropes without tapping out, and he and Lana hobble off. WE THE PEOPLE!

We go back to looking at the Authority dismantling Dean Ambrose. He is now downgraded to Doubtful at the medical facility.

Cena and Reigns meet, and Cena assumes it's a handicap match. He tells all this to Reigns, but gets mad when Roman doesn't show passion. Cena knows Reigns wants to be champion, but TRUST HIM already! But Roman's not concerned about the numbers game. The two of them will take them all out. Believe that.

But the graphic hasn't been updated! So who knows?

Opinions are divided on the detente segment. Personally, I liked it, but that's because I like Swagger. So there.

Alberto Del Rio v. Rob Van Dam. These two had a bit of a faceoff on the pre-show. Del Rio wastes no time in attacking, getting the low superkick early for not-even-one. He backs Van Dam into the corner as we get an ECW chant. Van Dam reverses to the somersault monkey flip, and Del Rio is sent over the top by RVD's clothesline. He follows, but Del Rio catches him in the ring skirt and delivers an enzuigiri. More head kicks follow. Back in, it gets two, and we go to the chinlock. Van Dam fights out and tries a sunset flip, but Del Rio rolls through and hooks a DDT for two. He imitates Van Dam's pose before getting the step-up enzuigiri for two. Del Rio stomps away before going to a reverse double chinlock. Van Dam tries to fight out but is slammed headfirst to the mat. Running kick misses, and RVD with the comeback. He backflips over a backdrop, getting a rana and superkick to lead to Rolling Thunder for two. ADR fights back with rights, but Van Dam blocks a corner trip. Thrust kick misses, but Van Dam gets the stepover enzuigiri instead. He goes up top, but the Five Star eats the knees and Del Rio gets the cross armbreaker for the tapout at 4:30. Not that Rob Van Dam needs the win, but Del Rio's dead in the water right now, so why keep pushing him? *1/4

Network! Sign up! Please! If you do, you get to see Beyond the Ring: CM Punk.

But that's tomorrow night! Tonight, Ric Flair will be here! Plus, Chris Jericho demands to know Bray Wyatt's motives!

One thing others have said is this show tends to run out of steam right about now and the main event can't bring it to the finish line. Well, with any luck, this crowd will keep it afloat.

This is supposed to be a Divas' Tag match, but Stephanie is apparently going to mix it up. Since Nikki's alone in the ring AGAIN. Stephanie almost feels sorry for her, too. Brie abandoned Nikki, after all, and left the company to abandon her family. (If you've seen Total Divas, this dovetails beautifully.) And now Nikki has to suffer the consequences. It's supposed to be a tag team match, but hey, Nikki has no sister, so it's a handicap match AGAIN. But don't blame Stephanie, blame Brie. Yeah, this won't get old fast.

Nikki Bella v. Alicia Fox and Cameron. So who's crazier on the heel side? Fox starts, and she and Nikki lock up. Nikki with a fireman's carry into the armbar, then La Majistral for two. Fox runs Nikki into the corner, and Cameron in with a gut kick as we find out Cameron and Naomi is the pre-show match. Nikki with a neckbreaker on Cameron out of nowhere for two. Nikki tosses Cameron into Fox, then gets the Alabama Slam for two, Fox saves. Now Cameron sends Nikki into the corner and alley-oop bombs her out. Fox in, and she sends Nikki into the corner before returning Cameron in. Back to Fox, who gets a snapmare and chinlock as the crowd chants for Nikki. Fox (to the camera): “Where are you, Brie?” Nikki fights out but gets a knee to the back. Fox tries to toss Nikki, but Nikki pushes off the ropes and cradles for two. Dropkick and backdrop to Fox as JBL yells about Brie. Nikki with an elbow and she goes up, but Cameron distracts and Fox sweeps Nikki off. Legscissors armbreaker by Fox gets the win at 3:34. 1/2*

The graphic's updated! It's a handicap match! Cena and Reigns will face the Authority! Can anyone get on the same page?

So that 7.14.14 thing? If you pre-order WWE 2K15, you get “Two Generations of Sting”!

The ad introducing him was really good, with an orchestra playing his Crow music in the shadows... until Sting descends, and we see the whole orchestra is in Crow makeup. I liked it.

Oh, and another thing: JBL keeps yelling about how Brie abandoned Nikki and left her to have these handicap matches... uh, what, she can't get a replacement partner? Hell, Naomi and Natalya have nothing to say about it?

Network Network Network.

Backstage to Triple H, and Randy Orton is concerned about Kane. Nothing happened (yet), but Orton's worried about him. HHH tells Orton to cool off: Kane's just a pawn in this game. Orton's always the man. Kane will stick to the plan, and Orton is the plan. But if Orton's the plan, Plan B is unnecessary. That's what Orton thinks.

Stardust and Goldust are together – Star calls Dustin's face an interstellar road map? “Like the Yellow Brick Road?” But they're not in Kansas anymore. They need to go where all that glitters is gold! And Stardust blows gold confetti in Goldie's face – the two face off. Hit the name.

Antonio Cesaro is up next... and he's come out alone. He and Heyman have split.

Well, for everyone who wanted Cesaro to get paired with Paul Heyman on the Raw after Mania? Yeah, how'd that go? I guess we shouldn't have been surprised. In kayfabe, the decision was a bad one for Cesaro because Paul Heyman ONLY cares about top-flight talent like Lesnar and has been known to prioritize his clientele.

Your Main Event main event is a Sheamus/Miz rematch!

Antonio Cesaro v. Big E Langston. We show Cesaro beating the everloving tar out of Kofi Kingston over the past couple weeks. Cesaro opens with a German suplex throw to Langston, but he runs into a uranage. Langston knocks Cesaro off the apron into the barricade. On the outside, Cesaro tries to send Langston into the barricade, but has to settle for giving him a Hotshot over into the crowd. Langston finally returns, but Cesaro with the Mushroom Stomp to the gut and he slaps Langston around. Langston tries to fight back, getting to his feet, but Cesaro boxes him down... only to run into a military press. Cesaro escapes and gets a forearm shot and clothesline for two. Cesaro works the headlock as the announcers can't figure out where Paul Heyman would be – he's in Richmond, after all. Cesaro switches to a butterfly powerbomb, getting two. Twice. Cesaro goes ground and pound on Langston before punching him down and switching to a sleeper. Langston backs Cesaro into the corner, but Cesaro throws the sleeper back on. Repeat to break, and Langston catches Cesaro in an overhead suplex. Shoulder ram in the corner and a Greco-Roman throw follow, and Langston goes for the Ultimate Splash, connnecting. Down with the strap, but Cesaro rolls out of the ring. He drapes Langston's throat on the ropes, then throws a chair at Kingston before swinging at Langston... but Kofi intercepts the chair. Big Ending ends it at 4:39. Further proof that Paul Heyman isn't that good a manager – Cesaro split from Jack Swagger and somehow came out the WORST of it. 3/4*

We look back at how Chris Jericho's return has gone less than smoothly thanks to Bray Wyatt and his henchmen. This brings out Jericho himself for answers – we'll hear from him next!

So the night after WrestleMania, you had Big E Langston as Intercontinental Champion and rubbing shoulders with John Cena while Antonio Cesaro was coming off a huge battle royal win and a big deal was made of his split from his tag team partner. Whose potential have they wasted more?

We take a look back at SmackDown as Bray Wyatt cost Jericho a match against Randy Orton.

Okay, Chris, the floor is yours, and you get a hashtag. Welcome to Raw Is Jericho! It feels good to be back, because wrestling is home to Chris Jericho. Jericho's been in the WWE for 15 years and has seen and done it all (Naked Mideon, 3 Minute Warning, Scott Steiner, Boss Man, HBK, PS Hayes, Alfred Hayes... you get the idea). Crowd interrupts for a Y2J chant. Jericho has seen the Undertaker burned by his pyro. He did the first match with Cena on PPV. He's been knocked out by Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Bob Barker (that open challenge is out there, Bob). He's beaten the Rock and Stone Cold in one night. He's done it all! He's also a musical chairs champion, don't you know.

But he hasn't QUITE seen and done it all, because he has no clue what to make of Bray Wyatt. Bray's an anomaly, a manpiulator, a presence, a freak surrounded by freaks, an unstoppable force. And now Wyatt wants Jericho. And Chris is confused: why him, Bray? Chris doesn't know, but he knows they'll meet at Battleground. Two opposites facing each other.

But maybe they do have things in common. If Bray wants to get crazy, Chris can do that. Wanna get nuts? He can do that. Crowd starts a Let's Get Crazy chant. Does Bray have the whole world in his hands? So, Chris Jericho has the whole Universe in his hands! And that's an unstoppable force!

Cut to Bray on the Tron, laughing. “Why you?” Do you remember your childhood, Chris? You were full of energy and hope. You ran carefree, with no worries about the horrors of the world. But what changes everything? Children have frail minds. And these minds run headlong into life and they change. So why Jericho? Well, where was Jericho when we needed him? He said he'd be there, that he'd save them, and we haven't forgotten. Bray has done bad things to people, and gone to war with powerful men. He's noticed a constant: no matter how tough a man thinks he is, they all scream... (crowd is getting bored). And so will Jericho.

Wait, Bray's not done. He asks if Jericho's afraid of the dark... and he puts out the lights. When they come on, Rowan and Harper surround Jericho. Paging the Usos. Paging the Usos! Jericho looks between one to the other, then attacks Harper, but that goes very poorly. Jericho avoids a boot from Harper and escapes, walking up the aisle to keep his eye on both men. But that allows Bray to attack from behind. He kicks Jericho down and stands over him before picking him up and delivering Sister Abigail's Kiss on the entranceway. The trio pose over Jericho. Follow the buzzards. Bray and his black eye take us out.

Michael Cole makes it official: Dean Ambrose is out of the main event tonight. Here's another look as to why. So your main event is a 3-on-2 handicap match instead! Can two men who are separated by the gold unite against the Authority's combined forces?

Bray's promo just wasn't that good. The quiet doesn't help – we couldn't hear some of what he said – but on top of that, the idea that somehow Jericho abandoned the WWE only to come back as its savior doesn't work here. I have to wonder: who was that really addressed to?

Paige is at ringside for our next match.

Non-title: AJ Lee v. Eva Marie. But first, a look back at how AJ won the title, but there will be a rematch at Battleground. Crowd cheers for CM Punk. AJ with arm work, reversed by Eva, into a hairpull slam. AJ with a dropkick and she skips around Eva before landing a spinning leg lariat. Eva Marie rolls out of the ring, but kicks AJ away when the champ follows. Back in, it gets two. Eva Marie with a surfboard now, then a knee when AJ tries to fight out. Backbreaker by Eva, but a second one is reversed to the Black Widow for the tapout at 2:22. Paige spent the whole time cheering AJ, while JBL tries to spread the word that Paige is going to trick AJ again. To which anyone with a memory says, “Again?” AJ then removes JBL's headset and has a friendly conversation with Paige. The match was better than the conversation afterwards. 1/2*

Backstage, HHH and Stephanie talk about Flo Rida when Kane says that “Plan A has a serious problem”. Kane doesn't like or trust Orton, but Stephanie knows that... but that's business. You have to work with people you don't like, just like the McMahons do. It's business. And what's Best For Business is the Authority gaining the title. Just get it done, HHH says. Kane leaves without comment.

Honestly, Eva Marie's better than she has a right to be. Of course, AJ can make people look better, which is nice. But she has improved quite a bit. She may not be worthless. As for this story... I guess I should be glad they're trying to make us care about female characters as people, which puts them one step ahead of most bookers. Looking at you, DJ Hyde. (I won't explain further, just that he should be blackballed.)

Bo Dallas has a microphone. He talks about beating El Torito. Yeah, Torito's small, but he has a big heart. So he hopes tonight's opponent has a heart as big as Torito. Well, I wonder who...

Bo Dallas v. The Great Khali. Bo can't help but laugh at his fortune. JBL claims Khali is a different species. Khali no-sells a chop and gets one of his own, backing Dallas into the corner and slapping him hard in the chest. Three CHOPS OF DOOM have Dallas on his knees in pain. Dallas tries to fight back (“Bad Giant!”), but nothing works as Khali tosses Dallas over and out. Khali follows, but Bo with a dropkick to the knees and the Bo-Dog on the floor. Bo beats the count back in to win at 1:48. Dallas is understandably hyped up about this one. He goes for his victory lap... and runs into Khali, stopping. He then gives Khali some words of inspiration... which Khali visibly does not appreciate with a chop to the head. Bo staggers around to finish the victory lap because HE'S JUST THAT DEDICATED TO HIS GIMMICK. They're both in the 22-man Intercontinental Title match.

Tonight on the WWE Network, it's the Best of Nitro!

Seth Rollins is nervous about the other two getting along on Sunday. But he reminds them that if Kane and Orton can't get the job done, he's Plan B. And then Paul Heyman shows up as Rollins leaves. Where was he? He was biding his time, making his move, etc. He likes Plan B and hopes it works out. But if the Authority needs a foolproof plan, they know who to talk to. Stephanie isn't impressed.

Ric Flair is WALKING! He'll be out NEXT!

How can you not like Bo Dallas? Seriously, how?

Next week: Flo Rida!

This week: Ric Flair! Renee Young gets the in-ring honors. His appearance gets a hashtag. Young hands over the mic with a curtsy. She's giddy. And Flair gets the cheap pop to start. He reminisces about his time in Richmond in the past. “Ask your mothers and fathers.” JBL: “Especially the mothers.” He gets a Nature Boy chant. Virginia is for Lovers, they say (it's true), and Flair struts around Renee. And we all know Ric Flair's the greatest lover alive. More strutting and WHOOing. So Renee asks Flair who will win the main event at Battleground as they test the crowd reactions. Crowd is solidly behind Roman Reigns. Flair says one man can strike like a Viper, one rises through Hellfire and Brimstone, and another he Believes in. But Flair throws his support to John Cena anyway as The Man.

And here comes Roman Reigns. Flair offers him a handshake and leaves without incident, but with an ovation. But at the top of the ramp, Cena enters. Cena offers Flair the Big Gold Belt for one last pose. In fact, he tells Flair to keep it for the night. The main event is next!

Ric Flair got the crowd ready for the main event. But kudos to this crowd, which has been active all night.

Your SmackDown main event is going to be Chris Jericho against Luke Harper.

Main event: Roman Reigns and John Cena v. Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Kane. As a reminder, we have a Fatal Four-Way on Sunday. Cena and Rollins start, as do the Cena chants. Rollins with a headlock on Cena, but Cena gets a tackle to knock Rollins down. Rollins brings Orton in, and Orton works the headlock. Cena shoots him off, and eventually Cena with a back elbow. Orton tags Kane in, and Cena with a headlock of his own. Kane knocks Cena over, and now it's Cena's turn to tag out... well, more to the point, Reigns tagged himself in. Kane kicks away to get the advantage, but Reigns slugs back only to get cut off. Kane tries a backdrop, but Reigns gets a headbutt and punches away. Ten punch countalong in the corner, but Kane uppercuts a charging Reigns. Kane tries to reach over the ropes to Reigns, but Reigns hangs him up, then goes up for a diving clothesline like Kane would do. Avalanche clothesline, then a shot for Orton, but Kane catches Reigns and knocks him down, tagging in Rollins. Rollins with kicks to Reigns in the corner as we go to break.

Gotta say, this has been a very awkward opening to the match. It's not a good start.

Main event, part two. Kane has Reigns in a chinlock as we return, and when Reigns fights out, a slugfest breaks out. Reigns recovers with a clothesline for both men down as Cena really wants a hot tag. He gets it, and Rollins gets the worst of it with Cena's usual sequence. Five Knuckle Shuffle sets up the AA, but Kane interrupts and Rollins recovers with an enzuigiri. Orton tags himself in and works over Cena in the corner. He gets two from a cover before going to a chinlock. Cena fights out of it, landing a dropkick to tease another hot tag, but Orton recovers with a back-to-back backbreaker for two. Orton with a stomp to the head, and Kane's in with a legdrop for two, brother. Cena punches out and tries an AA, but Kane shifts his weight to land on top for two. Rollins in, and he slugs away on a kneeling and dazed Cena. He covers, getting two, and we go back to the chinlock. He switches to a sleeper, but Cena snapmares out. Rollins with a gut superkick and Three Amigos to stay in charge... only Cena's the one to get the third. Reigns REALLY wants that tag, and when he gets it, Orton is in deep trouble. Big clothesline to Orton! Avalanche in the corner, and Orton's set up for the Drive-By Dropkick, which connects (Rollins and Kane are both down from Reigns ostensibly – I missed it). Superpunch hits Kane instead. Rollins off the top, but Reigns sidesteps and gets tossed (tweaking his leg). Samoan Drop to Orton (medical personnel are over to look at Rollins), and Reigns wants the Spear, but Kane attacks from behind. Kane and Orton double-team repeatedly until the DQ at 14:35. Boring. *3/4 Cena returns to dump Kane and unload on Orton, but Orton tries the Draping DDT. Cena backdrops Orton to the apron, then ducks Kane (who hits Orton to the floor) and works over the Demon. AA try again, but Reigns returns to spear Orton... who throws him into Cena instead. Kane cleans house and has Cena and Orton down in the ring, but Orton pops up with the RKO outta nowhere! Orton gets to pose as the cameras don't show Rollins, but do show everyone else down. Until Reigns re-emerges and spears a posing Orton! So now Reigns gets to pose with everyone down. He glares at a beaten-up Cena before posing. And we're out.

THOUGHTS:

Thank heaven for such a lively crowd, because honestly the wrestlers seemed to be going in second gear. Somewhat understandable when you have the big show on Sunday, but that doesn't make for good TV. The story here is whether Rollins is hurt or not. If he is, then it's official that the WWE is just snakebitten right now, but if as I suspect it's a work to get him out of the picture (so he didn't try to cash in again, this time without Ambrose to stop him), no worries.

Still, it's better than the last time Raw came from Richmond.

HOW I'D BOOK IT:

0. Naomi defeats Cameron.
1. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins go to a double disqualification.
2. Bo Dallas wins the Intercontinental Title battle royal, last eliminating Sheamus.
3. Bray Wyatt pins Chris Jericho off of a distraction from Harper and Rowan. The Usos come out, leading to...
4. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper beat the Usos in three falls to win the WWE Tag Team Titles, winning the first and third.
5. Alexander Rusev beats Jack Swagger by TKO.
6. AJ Lee pins Paige, who goes Bob Backlund at the result.
7. John Cena retains the Championship by pinning Kane.

MY SUMMERSLAM CARD:

• WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. Brock Lesnar
• Intercontinental Title: Bo Dallas (c) vs. Antonio Cesaro
• Street Fight: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins
• Submission Match for the Divas' Title: AJ Lee (c) vs. Paige
• WWE Tag Team Titles: Harper and Rowan (c) vs. The Rhodes Brothers
• United States Title: Sheamus (c) vs. Alexander Rusev
• Double or Nothing: Nikki Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon
• Pre-Show: Jack Swagger vs. Kane

...because it's my show and I say so. Shut up.

STATS:

MATCH TIME: 45:15 over eight matches

BEST MATCH: Sheamus/Miz

WORST MATCH: Divas Handicap

NIGHT MVP: Jack Swagger

FINAL SCORE: Meh, 4/10. With the hot crowd, I wanted this show to be better, but the wrestling was in second gear and the main event was beaten over our head. Plus, with all the emphasis on John Cena possibly losing without losing, it's obvious he'll win. It was hard to get into this show.

Okay, let's see here... Matt on Tuesday will forgo watching the All-Star Game to get Main Event. WWE Network Thursday features Scott doing NXT while Danielle does Total Divas. Tommy is tortured with Impact and SmackDown on back to back nights until he loses his mind. Brian will have a special Blog of Doom e-fed big show on Sunday to coincide with Battleground. Plus, your letters, Questions of the Day, Retro lookbacks, and more!

Kevin Dunn delenda est!