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This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw dealt with the fallout from WWE Payback and it also gave us a glimpse of what we can expect at Extreme Rules. It also featured Shane and Stephanie McMahon as the co-showrunners and there were some twists and turns along the way. Here are the 5 most important things that happened on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.

 

#5 – Sami Zayn Made His Intentions Clear

Monday Night Raw kicked off with Stephanie and Shane getting ready to start the show when Kevin Owens rudely interrupted. Owens said he’s still owed a rematch because he lost the IC Title at WrestleMania 32. Cesaro then came out and said he deserves a rematch because Owens screwed him at Payback. Shane announced a #1 contender’s match and then Cesaro ripped off his suit and the two Superstars went about their business.

The match ended in a no contest after The Miz interfered. This prompted Sami Zayn to come out and then everyone started brawling in the ring. In the end it was Sami Zayn who got the upper hand.

Sami Zayn stood tall in the ring then he set his sights on the IC Title. He grabbed the belt and held it high above his head and the crowd went crazy for him. Sami Zayn made it clear that he wants an IC Title shot and the crowd made it clear that they want to see him challenge for the belt.

 

#4 – The Tag Team Division Had Another Solid Showing

Enzo Amore suffered an unfortunate injury at Payback and WWE announced on Raw that The Vaudevillains will be getting a title shot at Extreme Rules. The New Day came to the ring and told the crowd that they sent unicorn magic and Booty-O’s to Enzo hoping it would make him feel better. The Vaudevillains then came out and took credit for Enzo’s injury. The Dudley Boyz followed shortly after and then Big Cass came out to defend his fallen friend’s honor.

Everybody got their lines in and everybody delivered in this segment. The good guys got the crowd behind them and the bad guys got the crowd to boo them. Eventually the confrontation led to a brawl, which then led to an 8 man tag team match.

There was a lot going on here, but it didn’t feel like too much. There are a lot of talented people in the tag team division right now and this segment showed that they can all co-exist and be interesting without stealing each other’s thunder.

 

#3 – Chris Jericho Took His Feud With Dean Ambrose To The Next Level

Things didn’t work out so well for Dean Ambrose on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. He invited Stephanie McMahon to be his guest on the Ambrose Asylum and despite her best efforts to play nice, Stephanie couldn’t help but show her true colors. She announced that the Ambrose Asylum is canceled and the Highlight Reel will be taking its place.

Dean Ambrose was obviously disappointed so he grabbed his potted plant (Mitch) and left the ring. As he was walking up the ramp Jericho came down to meet him and the two started beating the crap out of each other. Jericho got the upper hand and he took things to the next level when he smashed Mitch into the back of Dean Ambrose’s head.

Chris Jericho and Ambrose put on a fun match at Payback so it’s nice to see that this feud isn’t over. Jericho’s attack was vicious and it made the feud seem more personal. It should be interesting to see where things go from here.

 

#2 – Rusev Became The New #1 Contender For The United States Championship

A battle royal took place on Raw this week and in the end Rusev was the last man standing. Rusev won the match and earned the right to challenge Kalisto for his WWE United States Championship. The final 2 came down to Rusev and Ryder. The crowd was completely behind Ryder and Rusev crushed Ryder’s hopes and dreams like the villain he is when he threw Zack over the top rope.

With the League of Nations gone a United States Championship feud is exactly where Rusev needs to be. Rusev did great things with the title before and he can do it again.

 

#1 – Things Continued To Heat Up For The AJ Styles/Roman Reigns Feud

Early on in the show Roman Reigns in The Usos challenged Styles, Gallows and Anderson to a 6 man tag team match in the main event. Styles and his buddies accepted and the match was intense from bell to bell. The in-ring action made for a great main event, but it was what happened after the match that really moved the AJ Styles/Roman Reigns feud forward

AJ Styles won the match after he hit one of The Usos with the Phenomenal Forearm. Gallows and Anderson then grabbed a chair and tried to convince Styles to hit Roman Reigns with it. Styles declined so Gallows and Anderson beat up Reigns by themselves until The Usos made the save.

Styles saved his friends by using a chair on The Usos but then Roman Reigns took out AJ Styles. The two brawled outside of the ring and Roman powerbombed AJ Styles through the announce table to end the show.

The Roman Reigns/AJ Styles feud was already intriguing enough, Roman’s powerbomb through the table definitely raised the stakes.

 

What was your favorite moment from Monday Night Raw this week? Sound off in the comments below.

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