WWE Raw: Samoa Joe attacks Seth Rollins as Triple H watches on
Owens beats Strowman via DQ in title match after Reigns interferes
By David Ruse
Last Updated: 01/02/17 9:57am
Samoa Joe made his WWE main-roster debut on Monday Night Raw - attacking Seth Rollins as Triple H watched on.
Joe, a former two-time NXT Champion, hurled Rollins into the barricade before hitting four running sentons and finally forcing The Architect to pass out after applying his Coquina Clutch submission.
The powerhouse's shock actions came moments after Triple H seemed set to fight Rollins having just branded his former protégé a 'failure' for being unable to win the Universal Championship since his return from injury.
Rollins, who gate-crashed NXT TakeOver on Saturday after losing his spot in the Royal Rumble, headed to the ring to battle the man who had turned on him over the summer - but Joe ambushed him before he could get there.
Elsewhere, Kevin Owens retained the Universal Championship with a disqualification victory over Braun Strowman - after Roman Reigns launched an assault on The Monster Among Men.
Reigns, seething at Strowman stopping him beating Owens for his title at Royal Rumble, nailed his rival with a Superman punch and a spear, before also hitting the latter move on Owens.
Owens' best buddy, United States Champion Chris Jericho, suffered defeat, though, the man who lasted over an hour in the Rumble going down to Sami Zayn in a non-title match after being blasted with a Helluva Kick.
Bayley pinned Charlotte following a Bayley-to-Belly in a six-person match in which she partnered with Sheamus and Cesaro, and Charlotte banded with new Raw Tag Team Champions Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Bayley was later seen checking on Sasha Banks' health after The Boss' bout with Nia Jax was called off by the referee when Jax inflicted too much punishment on her opponent's injured knee.
Enzo Amore and Big Cass, fresh from their maiden Royal Rumble Match appearances on Sunday night, edged Rusev and Jinder Mahal.
Neville's Cruiserweight Title coronation was interrupted by the man he beat for the belt at Royal Rumble, Rich Swann, who reminded the Brit that he had a rematch coming before sending him scarpering.
Plus, Tony Nese got the better of Mustafa Ali in a cruiserweight clash, the New Yorker triumphing with a knee to the head after preventing Ali hitting his inverted 450 splash.
Missed WWE Raw? Catch the repeat at 10pm on Wednesday on Sky Sports 5. The show will also be reviewed in-depth in the next Gorilla Position podcast on Wednesday evening.
