Earlier Monday, Raw GM Shane McMahon made a huge announcement when he officially booked Braun Strowman to challenge Samoa Joe for the Universal Championship this Sunday at No Mercy. After last week's assault, Shane said that he considered suspending Strowman, but elected to give him the championship match instead, as he, like the rest of us, wants to "see the carnage ensue".
Tonight, it's the go-home show for No Mercy on the red brand. Becky Lynch will put her championship on the line against Tamina, and with Alexa Bliss waiting in the wings, this is perhaps her biggest test to date. After losing to the Shield at Summerslam, the Hardy Boyz will make their first Raw appearance since that loss tonight, and have promised to address the new champions. And in a massive main event, literally, Braun Strowman prepares for this Sunday's war as he takes on United States Champion Rusev.
Universe Mode
Monday Night Raw
September 18th, 2017
Location: Atlanta, GA
A Wounded Champion
We opened the show with a pre-recorded video from earlier in the day, as Samoa Joe visited with his doctors. They stated that although Joe avoided serious injury, he did suffer three bruised ribs at the hands of Braun Strowman. They advised Joe to avoid competition this Sunday, and tell Shane that the Universal Championship Match was off. Joe seemed none too pleased with this statement, and stormed out of the room.
Becky Lynch(c) vs Tamina- Raw Women's Championship Match
Under normal circumstances, this would likely be a easily winnable match for Becky Lynch. However, with the opportunity to become Undisputed Women's Champion on Sunday on the line, you had to wonder whether or not Becky might not be fully focused on this match. Early on, the concerns seemed to be justified, as Lynch had a lot of trouble getting out of the gates. Tamina encountered no such difficulty, as she used her power and pure brutality to gain an offensive advantage. Becky tried multiple times to fire up and get back into the match, but the most she could do was avoid Tamina's biggest offensive moves, including the Superfly Splash. The champion again tried to get going with a clothesline, but the challenger countered into a high impact Samoan Drop for an incredible near fall. Coming so close to defeat was all the motivation Becky needed, as she connected with a Bexploder and locked in the Dis-arm-her to get the tap out.
Winner and still Raw Women's Champion: Becky Lynch
The Return of Extreme
When we came back from commercial break, the Hardy Boyz made their way to the ring, to a good ovation from the Atlanta crowd. Their reason for being here was quite simple: they were here to declare that this Sunday at No Mercy, they will be using their rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Matt cut the majority of the promo, ending it by saying that, in six days "the Hardy Boyz will RECLAIM their championships and RESTORE Raw's tag team division".
Rusev vs Braun Strowman
This was an all-out war in Raw's main event, as two of Raw's biggest and best squared off. With both men in championship matches at No Mercy, neither could afford to lose momentum and being on the losing end of this collision. Rusev quickly realized that he was out-matched in the power game, as Strowman tossed him around the ring, much to the delight of the crowd. The United States Champion tried a new approach, as he attempted to out-wrestle the Monster Among Men. This strategy, along with a few timely distractions by Lana, did give the Bulgarian Brute some chance in this match. Unfortunately for Rusev, he was in there with a force of nature the likes of which Universe Mode has never seen. Braun effortlessly kept the advantage, never looking to be in serious danger. When a big chokeslam didn't get the job done, he simply brought out the impactful powerslam, and there was no kicking out of that.
Winner: Braun Strowman
A Massive Mistake
As Braun Strowman stood tall over the defeated Rusev, Samoa Joe made his way to the ramp. Doctors may not have advised him to even be in the building, but the Universal Champion was determined to get one up on his challenger. He charged the ring, jumping Strowman and attempting to lock in the Coquina Clutch. Perhaps Joe should've listened to his doctors on this one, as Braun easily delivered a sharp elbow to the ribs, sending the Samoan Submission Machine crumpling to the mat. Once more, Samoa Joe felt the running powerslam, and the number one contender stood tall over Raw's top two champions.
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.
Tonight, it's the go-home show for No Mercy on the red brand. Becky Lynch will put her championship on the line against Tamina, and with Alexa Bliss waiting in the wings, this is perhaps her biggest test to date. After losing to the Shield at Summerslam, the Hardy Boyz will make their first Raw appearance since that loss tonight, and have promised to address the new champions. And in a massive main event, literally, Braun Strowman prepares for this Sunday's war as he takes on United States Champion Rusev.
Universe Mode
Monday Night Raw
September 18th, 2017
Location: Atlanta, GA
A Wounded Champion
We opened the show with a pre-recorded video from earlier in the day, as Samoa Joe visited with his doctors. They stated that although Joe avoided serious injury, he did suffer three bruised ribs at the hands of Braun Strowman. They advised Joe to avoid competition this Sunday, and tell Shane that the Universal Championship Match was off. Joe seemed none too pleased with this statement, and stormed out of the room.
Becky Lynch(c) vs Tamina- Raw Women's Championship Match
Under normal circumstances, this would likely be a easily winnable match for Becky Lynch. However, with the opportunity to become Undisputed Women's Champion on Sunday on the line, you had to wonder whether or not Becky might not be fully focused on this match. Early on, the concerns seemed to be justified, as Lynch had a lot of trouble getting out of the gates. Tamina encountered no such difficulty, as she used her power and pure brutality to gain an offensive advantage. Becky tried multiple times to fire up and get back into the match, but the most she could do was avoid Tamina's biggest offensive moves, including the Superfly Splash. The champion again tried to get going with a clothesline, but the challenger countered into a high impact Samoan Drop for an incredible near fall. Coming so close to defeat was all the motivation Becky needed, as she connected with a Bexploder and locked in the Dis-arm-her to get the tap out.
Winner and still Raw Women's Champion: Becky Lynch
The Return of Extreme
When we came back from commercial break, the Hardy Boyz made their way to the ring, to a good ovation from the Atlanta crowd. Their reason for being here was quite simple: they were here to declare that this Sunday at No Mercy, they will be using their rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Matt cut the majority of the promo, ending it by saying that, in six days "the Hardy Boyz will RECLAIM their championships and RESTORE Raw's tag team division".
Rusev vs Braun Strowman
This was an all-out war in Raw's main event, as two of Raw's biggest and best squared off. With both men in championship matches at No Mercy, neither could afford to lose momentum and being on the losing end of this collision. Rusev quickly realized that he was out-matched in the power game, as Strowman tossed him around the ring, much to the delight of the crowd. The United States Champion tried a new approach, as he attempted to out-wrestle the Monster Among Men. This strategy, along with a few timely distractions by Lana, did give the Bulgarian Brute some chance in this match. Unfortunately for Rusev, he was in there with a force of nature the likes of which Universe Mode has never seen. Braun effortlessly kept the advantage, never looking to be in serious danger. When a big chokeslam didn't get the job done, he simply brought out the impactful powerslam, and there was no kicking out of that.
Winner: Braun Strowman
A Massive Mistake
As Braun Strowman stood tall over the defeated Rusev, Samoa Joe made his way to the ramp. Doctors may not have advised him to even be in the building, but the Universal Champion was determined to get one up on his challenger. He charged the ring, jumping Strowman and attempting to lock in the Coquina Clutch. Perhaps Joe should've listened to his doctors on this one, as Braun easily delivered a sharp elbow to the ribs, sending the Samoan Submission Machine crumpling to the mat. Once more, Samoa Joe felt the running powerslam, and the number one contender stood tall over Raw's top two champions.
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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