WWE Raw concluded on Monday night with something fans rarely see:
Brock Lesnar, on the ground, in a great deal of pain.
But we’ll get to that in a few moments.
While the anticipation for Orton versus Lesnar at SummerSlam is now at a fevered pitch, Raw emanated from Atlanta this week and opened with a few words from WWE’s Women’s Champion Sasha Banks.
Soon enough, though, Charlotte came out to taunt her rival and the two exchanged barbs.
That didn’t last too long, either, before the crowd was treated to the arrival of Chris Jericho.
“Quiet! Quiet! QUIET! QUIET! QUIET!” he told the women in the ring.
Jericho told Sasha that all her fans are purple-haired, teeny bopper, stupid idiots… prompting Enzo Amore to come to the ring (without Big Cass).
After more back and forth, Mick Foley came out to make the obvious mixed tag-team match between the quartet.
Jericho and Charlotte Defeated Enzo and Sasha, But…
… Kevin Owens stole the show on the microphone. He was outstanding as guest commentator.
Braun Strowman Destroyed Aaron Edelhoff in Another Squash.
Backstage, Mark Henry said he wanted reopen the Hall of Pain, which led to Foley giving The World’s Strongest Man a match against U.S. Champion Rusev for the belt.
First, however, The Golden Truth Lost To Shining Stars.
It didn’t help matters that R-Truth continued to be addicted to Pokemon Go, costing his team the match.
A Seth Rollins-Finn Balor confrontation was up next, with the former having none of the latter bragging over his Raw debut from the week before.
It was a solid exchange that concluded with Balor’s striking combo forcing Rollins out of the ring.
Rusev Beats Mark Henry, But…
… during Rusev’s post-match rant, Roman Reigns’ music hit and – bam! – a compelling feud appears to be underway.
Titus O’Neill Defeated Darren Young.
O’Neill dominated a majority of action, but Young got the drop on him late in the match. In the end, Titus won by grabbing the tights.
Backstage: Foley and Stephanie were talking when Sheamus and Cesaro joined them to complain about their positions on the show.
Here’s an easy fix: the two were booked in a match against each other later in the show.
Nia Jax Defeated Ariel Munroe in a Squash.
New Day Defeated The Club.
Beforehand, The Club filed to have Xavier Rhodes remain backstage throughout the match, which ended with Big E rolling up Gallows.
Cesaro Defeated Sheamus.
In a very strong and entertaining match, Cesaro won with his old school finisher, the Neutralizer.
Seth Rollins Defeated Sami Zayn.
He with the pedigree and a clean pin.
Then we got to the climax, which started with Paul Heyman in the ring, talking up Brock Lesnar.
Simply put, “Brock Lesnar is going to BEAT YOUR ASS at SummerSlam,” he screamed at Randy Orton.
Cue Lesnar looking tough in the ring… but then cue a surprise run-in from Orton and.. RKO! RKO! RKO!
#RKO OUTTA NOWHERE by @RandyOrton!!!
The BEAST @BrockLesnar is DOWN!! #WelcomeToViperville! #RAW pic.twitter.com/evWkOh9QSi
Raw wrapped up with Lesnar looking stunned and with Orton celebrating in the crowd with fans, taunting his SummerSlam opponent.