WWE Monday Night Raw: Robert Roode returns to face Drew McIntyre

WWE Monday Night Raw after Clash of Champions focused on the upcoming WWE Draft and developing storylines heading into Survivor Series.

WWE Clash of Champions was on Sunday as all the titles were on the line. At the end of the evening, there were few new champions, as multiple titleholders made it out of the evening with their reigns intact. The Monday Night Raw that followed was the first show to push into Survivor Series with the WWE Draft looming a few short days away.

The first match of the evening was a rematch from last night’s PPV. Asuka faced off with Zelina Vega 24 hours after beating her to defend her title on Sunday. Vega came out of the gates hot, landing a nasty elbow and rolling Asuka into a modified Octopus hold. But Asuka would get the momentum back on her side, flattening Vega with a kick to the head.

Vega continued to focus on Asuka’s arm, but the championed refused to go away. Vega landed a Back Stabber, almost pinning the champion but she was able to reach her leg to the bottom rope to stop the count. Vega went for a moonsault but landed on Asuka’s legs, allowing her to tie in the Asuka Lock for the victory.

Andrade came out to belittle Vega, but that brough out Keith Lee for a singles match. Andrade was faced with the big challenge of trying to overcome the size advantage that Lee enjoyed. There were times when Andrade did a good job of doing so, but that would not be enough to help him in the outcome of the match. Andrade would eat the Spirt Bomb and was pinned in the center of the ring.

Lana and Natalya had quite a bit to say about the women’s tag team division, but they were answers by Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke. Brooke and Rose put their teamwork on display early, but that did not stop Lana and Natalya from cutting corners to turn the tide of the match. Brooke took a lot of the offense until Rose got the tag into the match. Rose would land a jumping knee to put Lana away for her team to get the win.

Kevin Owens and Aleister Black continue to battle

Kevin Owens and Aleister Black have been fighting each other for the past few weeks. That came to ahead with another singles match on Raw which kicked off when Owens kicking Black right in the face. This match remained hard-hitting and fast-paced as neither man took their foot off the gas. Owens continued to batter Black through the early stages of the match, even landing a Senton from the apron to Black who was on the floor.

Black took the advantage back in his favor and things broke down to both men exchanging heavy strikes. Owens made the mistake of going to the top rope and Black countered. Both Black and Owens continued beating each other up, but Black made the mistake of hitting the ref by accident, leading to a disqualification victory for Owens.

R-Truth had to defend his 24/7 title in a triple-threat match against Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa. Gulak and Tozawa started out double teaming Truth, but their alliance broke down before either man could make the pin. Truth went on a little run against both men, but he could not stop them from joining forces again, attempting to take the champion out. Gulak hit the Gulak-Lock, until Tozawa came off the top with a Senton. Truth avoided it and hit an Attitude Adjustment on Tozawa to pin his opponents and keep his title.

Buddy Murphy and Dominick Mysterio continued their fight, now because Mysterio’s sister, Aliyah has developed a friendship with Murphy. Murphy and Mysterio did not waste any time, jumping right into the fight and attempting to beat each other up. Mysterio let his rage out as he battered Murphy, even stomping him relentlessly in the corner. Murphy pulled out a kendo stick, but before he could use it, his sister came out to try and stop him. The distraction allowed Murphy to pin Dominick and escape with the victory.

Ali, Ricochet and Apollo Crews fought the Hurt Business once again in a six-man bout. Before things could truly get underway the lights would flicker and RETRIBUTION’s name would flash on all the screens. This match continued along the path as the others, with Crews starting out the match but finding himself on the wrong end of all the offense from the Hurt Business. Crews made the tag to Ricochet who started some momentum of his own but was halted – also catching a beatdown from their foes.

Ali made the tag, and everything broke down in this match. Four men would end up outside the ring after high flying moves, leaving Ali and MVP in the ring. He grounded MVP and climbed to the top to hit the 450 Splash, giving his team the victory.

WWE champion held an open challenge for any individual who has not challenged for the title to date. That call was answered by Bobby Roode. McIntyre had the advantage early, pummeling Roode until he would roll out of the ring to escape. A distraction from Dolph Ziggler gave Roode the opportunity to hit a chop block on McIntyre and take control of this match. McIntyre fought back, landing a headbutt, clotheslines and suplexes to get back on the offense.

Roode grounded McIntyre and went for the Glorious DDT only to have McIntyre counter and land a massive Claymore Kick. He would pin the challenger in the ring to keep his title.

September 28 Monday Night Raw results

• Asuka defeated Zelina Vega via submission
• Keith Lee defeated Andrade via pin fall
• Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose defeated Lana and Natalya via pin fall
• Kevin Owens defeated Aleister Black via disqualification
• R-Truth defeated Drew Gulak and Akira Tozawa via pin fall
• Buddy Murphy defeated Dominick Mysterio via pin fall
• Ricochet, Mustafa Ali, and Apollo Crews defeated the Hurt Business
• Drew McIntyre defeated Robert Roode via pin fall