WWE Raw: Roman Reigns beats Rusev in non-title match
Lesnar and Balor make statements ahead of WWE SummerSlam
By David Ruse
Last Updated: 16/08/16 12:33pm
Roman Reigns proved too strong for Rusev in Monday Night Raw's main event - just six days before he tries to take the United States Champion's title at SummerSlam.
The former Shield Superstar beat Rusev with a stomach-crunching spear after wriggling free of an Accolade as the pair went head-to-head in a non-title match in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Rusev lashed Reigns with ample kicks but eventually suffered a morale-sapping defeat ahead of his championship defence in Brooklyn on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Box Office from midnight.
Elsewhere on Raw, Seth Rollins was made to pay after summoning The Demon King, Finn Balor, while Heath Slater - still hunting a WWE contract - took a trip to Suplex City.
Rollins spent much of the show on the hunt for Balor's painted persona and the Irishman - who will face Rollins for the Universal Title at SummerSlam - finally emerged, landing multiple kicks on his rival before The Architect slithered away from a Coup de Grace.
Slater, meanwhile, attempted to beat Brock Lesnar and earn a deal with the Raw brand, until The Beast Incarnate swatted him from the ring with a series of suplexes and an F5.
Lesnar's advocate, Paul Heyman, then took delight in predicting the same fate would befall Randy Orton at SummerSlam on Sunday when the two powerhouses collide inside The Barclays Center.
Cesaro and Sheamus will kick of a best-of-seven series at SummerSlam following their frequent collisions over recent weeks, Cesaro irking Sheamus on Monday evening with a distraction that saw him lose to Sami Zayn.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson took out Golden Truth with a Magic Killer before just about fending off a post-match attack from SummerSlam opponents Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who had earlier defeated The Dudley Boyz.
Charlotte overcame Alicia Fox with Natural Selection and then trapped WWE Women's Champion Sasha Banks in the Figure-Eight Leglock with help from Dana Brooke, who will be banned from Charlotte's title pursuit at SummerSlam.
Big Cass beat Kevin Owens via disqualification after Chris Jericho interfered; Nia Jax demolished Rachel Levy; and Neville trumped Jinder Mahal with a Red Arrow from the turnbuckle.
Plus, The Prime Time Players' reunion did not go to plan - Titus O'Neil turning on Darren Young as the duo lost to The Shining Stars, Primo and Epico.
WWE SummerSlam booking details
WWE SummerSlam will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) AND Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) at midnight on Sunday, August 21 (Monday morning).
WWE SummerSlam will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) between 10am on Monday, August 22 and 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
Repeat showings will air at 10am, 3pm, 8pm and 1am, with THE FINAL PLAYOUT starting at 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
UK viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WWE SummerSlam NOW, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also book WWE SummerSlam online NOW by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/
Viewers can also book using their Sky TV remote by pressing the 'Box office' button, scrolling across to the sports tab and following on-screen instructions. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
