First off, happy MLK Day! It's always important to remember the sacrifices of those that came before us, and honor the legacy of a truly great man.
With just under two weeks until the Royal Rumble, Monday Nights are heating up, with two big championship matches. Sami Zayn puts the US Title on the line in an open challenge, in which the winner will also receive a Royal Rumble spot. In Raw's main event, the World Tag Team Titles are on the line as the Wyatt Family look to end Hideo Itami and Finn Balor's impressive reign. The Shield reunite in an attempt to qualify for the Rumble, Bayley faces Nikki Bella and more!
Universe Mode
Monday Night Raw
January 16th, 2017
Location: Greensboro, NC
KO Isn't Finished With Sami
The United States Champion was making his way to the ring for his open challenge when he was ambushed by the former champion, Kevin Owens. KO, furious that he no longer held gold, brutalized Sami with a vicious sneak attack, putting Zayn through a table with a Pop-Up Powerbomb before security could intervene.
Sami Zayn(c) vs ???- United States Title Match for Royal Rumble Qualification
Fighting champion that he is, Sami was determined to go through with his open challenge despite Owens' attack. It was Chris Jericho who would take the opportunity, determined to qualify for the Royal Rumble and hold gold at the same time. He wasted no time, attacking the injured Zayn before the bell could ring. With the odds against him, Sami did the best he could, but Jericho kept a slow, methodical pace, wearing the champ out before hitting a Codebreaker for the win. The attack by Kevin Owens cost Sami Zayn his title and his shot at entering the Royal Rumble.
Winner and the NEW United States Champion: Chris Jericho
The Shield vs Alberto Del Rio and Golden Truth- Royal Rumble Qualification Match
Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns reformed the Shield for this night in an attempt to enter the Royal Rumble. The former Hounds of Justice looked good, with all ego being put aside. In the end, is was a simple win over the unwieldy trio of Del Rio, Goldust and R-Truth, with Ambrose pinning Goldust after a Dirty Deeds.
After the match, the newest qualifiers for the Royal Rumble celebrated with a few high-fives, jovial in victory. That mood wouldn't last long, as Rollins blindsided Reigns with a big clothesline, but the Architect was out-maneuvered by Ambrose, the master of mind games, who cleared the ring himself. They may have worked together in this match, but they'll be enemies again at the Royal Rumble.
Winners: The Shield
Raw Announces More Rumble Participants and Qualification Matches
After the events of last week, Raw GM Shane McMahon has given Enzo and Big Cass another shot to qualify for the Royal Rumble, in a rematch next week against the Dudley Boyz for the Dudleyz' Rumble spots. In addition, there will be a big triple threat match between Bray Wyatt, Goldberg and Rusev, the three men in the World Heavyweight Title match. The winner will get a Royal Rumble spot, however, should they win the world title, their spot will go to a random member of the Raw roster. Finally, each GM has a surprise entrant that will make their debut in the Rumble match.
Bayley vs Nikki Bella
These two women formed a temporary alliance last week, as Bayley helped Nikki pick up a big win over the Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks. There were no vestiges of friendship in this match, though, as both women wanted to be in the title hunt. No sooner had the match begun than the Boss, Sasha Banks, arrived. Sasha clearly wanted to mess with her former best friend, getting in Bayley's face several times and flustering the Hugster. Sasha went as far as breaking up a pin after a Bayley-to-Belly, causing her to be ejected. With that distraction gone, Bayley rallied, hitting a second Bayley-to-Belly for the win.
After the match, Sasha reappeared from the back, blindsiding Bayley with a shot to the skull with her title. She tried to talk some trash to the former champ, but was taken out herself by a recovered Nikki Bella, who stood tall with the belt.
Winner: Bayley
Itami and Balor(c) vs The Wyatt Family- World Tag Team Title Match
This was a great match-up pitting the ferocity and pure power of Harper and Rowan against the technical skill and excellent agility of Itami and Balor. The champs came into this match on a tremendous roll, and they were in control in the early going. Bray Wyatt's presence at ringside played a pivotal role, as he kept his team in the match. Itami and Balor connected on their finishing maneuver(assisted double foot stomp), but Wyatt got involved to save the match. Harper and Rowan rallied, and it soon became a tag team war. Harper and Balor had an extended period of the match to themselves, with Harper trying to wear down Finn and Balor trying to stay alive. Harper seemed to be in control, and went for a big boot, but Balor saw it coming, countering into a small package for the surprise win.
After the match, the champ celebrated a successful retention, familiar music sounded. The music of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, the men who worked under Finn Balor in NXT as the Balor Club. A Balor Club logo appeared on the screen as the show faded to black.
Winners and still World Tag Team Champions: Itami and Balor
It appears Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have returned, and have their sights set on their former leader. Tune in tomorrow for SmackDown, where more Royal Rumble participants will be announced.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
With just under two weeks until the Royal Rumble, Monday Nights are heating up, with two big championship matches. Sami Zayn puts the US Title on the line in an open challenge, in which the winner will also receive a Royal Rumble spot. In Raw's main event, the World Tag Team Titles are on the line as the Wyatt Family look to end Hideo Itami and Finn Balor's impressive reign. The Shield reunite in an attempt to qualify for the Rumble, Bayley faces Nikki Bella and more!
Universe Mode
Monday Night Raw
January 16th, 2017
Location: Greensboro, NC
KO Isn't Finished With Sami
The United States Champion was making his way to the ring for his open challenge when he was ambushed by the former champion, Kevin Owens. KO, furious that he no longer held gold, brutalized Sami with a vicious sneak attack, putting Zayn through a table with a Pop-Up Powerbomb before security could intervene.
Sami Zayn(c) vs ???- United States Title Match for Royal Rumble Qualification
Fighting champion that he is, Sami was determined to go through with his open challenge despite Owens' attack. It was Chris Jericho who would take the opportunity, determined to qualify for the Royal Rumble and hold gold at the same time. He wasted no time, attacking the injured Zayn before the bell could ring. With the odds against him, Sami did the best he could, but Jericho kept a slow, methodical pace, wearing the champ out before hitting a Codebreaker for the win. The attack by Kevin Owens cost Sami Zayn his title and his shot at entering the Royal Rumble.
Winner and the NEW United States Champion: Chris Jericho
The Shield vs Alberto Del Rio and Golden Truth- Royal Rumble Qualification Match
Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns reformed the Shield for this night in an attempt to enter the Royal Rumble. The former Hounds of Justice looked good, with all ego being put aside. In the end, is was a simple win over the unwieldy trio of Del Rio, Goldust and R-Truth, with Ambrose pinning Goldust after a Dirty Deeds.
After the match, the newest qualifiers for the Royal Rumble celebrated with a few high-fives, jovial in victory. That mood wouldn't last long, as Rollins blindsided Reigns with a big clothesline, but the Architect was out-maneuvered by Ambrose, the master of mind games, who cleared the ring himself. They may have worked together in this match, but they'll be enemies again at the Royal Rumble.
Winners: The Shield
Raw Announces More Rumble Participants and Qualification Matches
After the events of last week, Raw GM Shane McMahon has given Enzo and Big Cass another shot to qualify for the Royal Rumble, in a rematch next week against the Dudley Boyz for the Dudleyz' Rumble spots. In addition, there will be a big triple threat match between Bray Wyatt, Goldberg and Rusev, the three men in the World Heavyweight Title match. The winner will get a Royal Rumble spot, however, should they win the world title, their spot will go to a random member of the Raw roster. Finally, each GM has a surprise entrant that will make their debut in the Rumble match.
Bayley vs Nikki Bella
These two women formed a temporary alliance last week, as Bayley helped Nikki pick up a big win over the Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks. There were no vestiges of friendship in this match, though, as both women wanted to be in the title hunt. No sooner had the match begun than the Boss, Sasha Banks, arrived. Sasha clearly wanted to mess with her former best friend, getting in Bayley's face several times and flustering the Hugster. Sasha went as far as breaking up a pin after a Bayley-to-Belly, causing her to be ejected. With that distraction gone, Bayley rallied, hitting a second Bayley-to-Belly for the win.
After the match, Sasha reappeared from the back, blindsiding Bayley with a shot to the skull with her title. She tried to talk some trash to the former champ, but was taken out herself by a recovered Nikki Bella, who stood tall with the belt.
Winner: Bayley
Itami and Balor(c) vs The Wyatt Family- World Tag Team Title Match
This was a great match-up pitting the ferocity and pure power of Harper and Rowan against the technical skill and excellent agility of Itami and Balor. The champs came into this match on a tremendous roll, and they were in control in the early going. Bray Wyatt's presence at ringside played a pivotal role, as he kept his team in the match. Itami and Balor connected on their finishing maneuver(assisted double foot stomp), but Wyatt got involved to save the match. Harper and Rowan rallied, and it soon became a tag team war. Harper and Balor had an extended period of the match to themselves, with Harper trying to wear down Finn and Balor trying to stay alive. Harper seemed to be in control, and went for a big boot, but Balor saw it coming, countering into a small package for the surprise win.
After the match, the champ celebrated a successful retention, familiar music sounded. The music of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, the men who worked under Finn Balor in NXT as the Balor Club. A Balor Club logo appeared on the screen as the show faded to black.
Winners and still World Tag Team Champions: Itami and Balor
It appears Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have returned, and have their sights set on their former leader. Tune in tomorrow for SmackDown, where more Royal Rumble participants will be announced.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
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