WWE has a brand new Monday Night Raw tonight from the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro North Carolina. One has to think Ric Flair will have to make an appearance in Flair Country.
Despite not officially having a match yet at Extreme Rules 2016, WWE is promoting the latest in the saga between Chris Jericho and Dean Ambrose as the lead story from Raw.
Here is WWE.com on the main story:
Despite destroying Chris Jericho’s light-up jacket, Dean Ambrose remains a step behind the ruthless Superstar on the road to Extreme Rules. Can The Lunatic Fringe retaliate, or will The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla leave him all tied up again?
Ambrose destroyed Jericho’s jacket, and Y2J confirmed that it was permanently gone from his gimmick:
Yeah so I'm gonna wear another one & give idiot Ambrose the chance to destroy that jacket too? Fat chance. https://t.co/rCZBqv9FHT
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) May 15, 2016
But stressed he would still be sporting a scarf:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFatMhimDk-/
Big Cass was set to face off against Chris Jericho in a singles match main event on Raw last week before Dean Ambrose got involved. Will that match be re-scheduled for tonight on Raw? It seems likely that Jericho and Ambrose are on a collission course for Extreme Rules… just what type of match will be revealed on Raw!
The Family and The Club have a war going on, while Shane and Stephanie seem to be at a temporary peace. Roman Reigns and AJ Styles are set for an Extreme Rules match at the Extreme Rules PPV for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. But the story has been more about the heightening war between their two factions. The Club – AJ Styles officially aligned with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows – has been at war with Roman Reigns and his cousins the Usos. The next chapter of this saga will unfold on Raw.
There were some concerns about AJ Styles’ short term health, as he was pulled from WWE weekend house shows at the last minute.
AJ updated his injury status on Twitter:
For those of you who were expecting to see AJ Styles this weekend, I apologize. Banged my ankle up pretty good, but I'll be ready for RAW.
— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) May 14, 2016
Paige returned to WWE TV last week and scored a surprise win over Charlotte. Natalya has the next WWE Women’s Title shot, but Paige has re-inserted herself into the scene as well. Charlotte, without Ric in her corner, will have to deal with Natalya at the PPV in a submission match. The final build for that match should be a key part of Raw.
The other big storyline in the women’s division is the WWE main roster debut of Dana Brooke. She is re-teaming with her NXT partner Emma and they have targetted Becky Lynch. Who will backup #BeckyWithTheGoodHair and even the odds? Could this be Sasha Banks’ return to WWE TV after a curious absense?
Check out this awesome Becky fan art:
Waiting for smackdwon to see @BeckyLynchWWE kick some lass🤘 straight 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dx4LtphM7R
— Vick🙏💪🏻 (@lebronvick45) May 12, 2016
And this pic Sasha posted with Bret Hart
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE5UdqzHOsf/
Incredibly, the team of Epico and Primo will make their re-debut on Raw with the new gimmick of friendly ambassadors from Puerto Rico. With the already crowded tag team scene already red hot, how will the former Matatdors fare? And who will be their first target? Something is off about how they were promoted in vignettes heading into this debut, so it could all be a swerve for a heel gimmick or something entirely different. Either way, the long term build has made Primo & Epico’s re-debut something of a mystery to be revealed on Raw.
Speaking of the tag team division, the title match is on between the New Day and the Vaudevillains at Extreme Rules 2016. But looking ahead, there are tons of contenders for the New Day to deal with if they retain the titles. Big Cass is ready to go when Enzo Amore returns from injury. The Dudley Boyz have made their intensions known in recent weeks as well.
Here is the WWE.com Quick Hits Preview:
- It’s Club-bering time – With Extreme Rules approaching fast, Reigns is in need of a dominant display and, with Styles’ friends officially at his back, doing so is now easier said than done.
- New Day rocked – Suddenly, the Tag Team Title picture is neck-and-neck, and The New Day might need some extra P.O.P. to gain ground
- The ‘EnD’ is here – With the powerful pair poised to make life hell for Maiden Ireland, Lynch might find herself in need of some extra #straightfire — or, failing that, a tag team partner will do.
- Lights out – The sky seems to be the limit for “The Best in the World at What He Does,” provided, of course, Big Cass doesn’t come calling again …
- Caribbean cool – Well, on Monday, the boys make the trip to the mainland for their Raw debuts, and with a burgeoning tag team division laid out before them, they’ll have the pick of the litter for their first opponents.
Here is the latest card for WWE Extreme Rules 2016,, which now has five matches.
Extreme Rules Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Title
Roman Reigns (c) vs. AJ Styles
Submission Match for the WWE Women’s Title
Charlotte (c) vs. Natalya
Ric Flair is banned from ringside
WWE United States Title Match
Kalisto (c) vs. Rusev w/Lana
WWE Tag Team Title Match
The Vaudevillains vs. The New Day
WWE Intercontinental Title
The Miz (c) vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
Plus these matches are likely without having been officially announced:
Stipulation TBD
Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho
Dana Brooke & Emma vs. Becky Lynch & Paige
The Usos vs. The Club
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