ARN - Payback 2015 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Payback 2015

Payback 2015 took place on May 17th, 2015 from The Royal Farms Arena, in Baltimore, Maryland. It drew 10,000.

We're coming off of the Extreme Rules pay per view, where we saw Seth Rollins retain the World Title in a cage match over Randy Orton. As well as John Cena retaining the U.S. Title over Rusev, in a Russian Chain match

Let's get to some company news heading into Payback

WWE released quarter financials in May

On 3/31, the WWE network had 1,327,000 subscribers, up 12,000 from the prior day, when the original announcement was made. There were 795,000 people who signed up during the quarter. Of those, about 400,000 had never signed up prior to the quarter, and the other 400,000 were prior subscribers who had dropped their subscriptions at some point in 2014 and came back during the quarter. There were 284,000 formerly paid subscribers who dropped their subscription during the quarter. 

Total network revenue was $28.6 million, but even during the WrestleMania quarter, with $120 million in expenses earmarked this year, that’s about $30 million per quarter. The company listed $1.5 million in losses on the network category (which is a combination of subscriptions and PPV) based on the average of 927,000 paid subscribers for the average day during the quarter.

he chart estimated company total losses for the quarter overall (not for the network, but for the company as a whole) of $4 million to $6 million at 1 million subscribers, of $3 million to $5 million at 1,050,000 subscribers; at $2 million to $4 million at 1.1 million subscribers; break-even at 1.2 million subscribers and profits of $2 million to $4 million at 1.3 million subscribers. The indication is that, one month into the second quarter, that 1.0 million to 1.3 million range is what the company expects numbers in the second quarter to average out to. 

Live event revenue increased from $21.7 million to $39.3 million largely due to the $15.7 million that came from all the events associated with WrestleMania. 

Arena merchandise was up from $5.0 million last year to $8.4 million. Of that $3.4 million increase, $3.3 million came from the live WrestleMania event. 

Licensing revenue was up from $14.0 million to $16.5 million 

Home Entertainment revenue fell from $10.5 million last year during the first quarter to $4.7 million. That’s a combination of a 43 percent decreases in units shipped from 1,087,300 for the quarter last year to 620,200 this year, and a $2.5 million guarantee based on the old contract that was in effect last year. 

Digital Media revenue dropped from $6.7 million to $4.3 million 

WWE Studios took in $1.5 million in revenue for the quarter, for a $400,000 loss as compared to $4.3 million in the same quarter last year and a $1.6 million profit 

The company had $113.6 million in cash on hand (cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments) at the end of the quarter, down from $115.4 million three months earlier. But it’s up from $87,266,000 at this point last year.

Meltzer reported - The Raw debut of Sami Zayn in Montreal on 5/5, after being introduced by Bret Hart, was laid out for him to lose and to get over as a big star before an audience that it was a lock would react huge for him.

That happened, but before he got in the ring, Zayn’s left shoulder went out during his ring entrance when he was leading the crowd in cheering him on. The referee immediately signaled for an “X,” which usually means there is a legit injury and to get a doctor out, but can also be used for angles.

In this case, it wasn’t an angle. According to several in the company and others who are close with him, the injury was legit as reported on, and he underwent an MRI on 5/6.

Meltzer reported - Hogan in Australia claimed he was going to wrestle at next year’s WrestleMania. He claimed he told Vince McMahon the day after this year’s Mania at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose that he was going to wrestle and claimed Vince shook his hand and said “I look forward to it.” It’s a combination of common sense, in the sense of having a match that would work, and most importantly, if he can pass a physical. 

Next year is all hands on deck, so to speak. Hogan also claimed he turned down an opportunity to compete in the UFC when it started. “We looked at it and it was very violent and the referees weren’t stopping the matches and were letting guys get beat up when they should have been stopped. So we just didn’t want to have any part of it, but it’s become quite a phenomenon.” 

Did you ever hear about that? It didn't end up happening

Hogan and Brutus Beefcake also had a falling out during this time, after Hogan called him out on Leslie selling fake autographed 8x10 photos of Hogan. Hogan wrote on twitter, “I’m sorry, I’m embarrassed, but I have never signed pictures for Brutus to sell.” 

Keller reported - Hulk Hogan is being credited for helping raise money for Florida charities through a car collection auction. Hogan recently appeared at an event promoted by “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions” that raised “close to $1 million” for local and national charities. 

Hogan did his trademark t-shirt-rip to help an auction for a custom 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 

Meltzer reported - WWE's attempt to establish NXT as a viable touring brand looks thus far to be an early success with a weekend Northeast tour that got rave reviews.

Paul Levesque has described the remainder of 2015 as an experimental year. They will be running more and more shows on the road, not just around the country, but are talking about a European tour. They are looking at running different types of buildings to see what works and what doesn't work, and doing some festival touring as well.

The plan for 2016 is for NXT to be a full-time touring brand, running three high shows per week in a certain part of the country, just like the other two major tours. Thus far, the fan reaction at every show outside of Florida has been phenomenal. This year the question is what is the drawing power when they go into markets and play them a second time, and figure out what size of building they're best suited for. 

Levesque said the ultimate goal would be running both the national touring NXT shows, as well as running at the same time, the smaller Florida arena shows in the 250 to 500 seat buildings, giving the younger talent ring experience and maybe keeping some headliners. He said this is the goal for a few years down the line. This makes sense because they've got somewhere in the range of 65 to 70 wrestlers in Orlando, and the only way they can really learn the business is to perform in front of live crowds regularly. 

In addition, as this week showed, for the green wrestlers appearing on the national tour where fans expect a certain level of work, they can get crapped on, which wouldn't happen in the Florida shows where it's a smaller crowd but more understanding that some people are just starting out.

Meltzer reported - WWE officially announced Matt Bloom as the new head trainer at the Performance Center. He's been working in that role since the departure of Bill DeMott, and it was generally believed he was no longer interim, but the official change and promotion took place this week. In addition, Sara Amato (formerly Sara Del Rey) was named assistant head coach, which is a promotion from assistant coach. She's essentially the No. 2 trainer on the roster, which is a real feather in her cap regarding work, both because she's a woman in that role and put ahead of men who have far more experience in wrestling, and also because she herself never had big-time U.S. promotion experience.  

Meltzer reported - Steve Borden Jr., the son of Sting, was getting an NFL tryout as a tight end at the Kansas City Chiefs three-day mini-camp this week. Borden Jr., who played at the University of Kentucky this past season, was not drafted in the NFL draft and is considered a longshot to make it in the NFL. Sting went to several of his games. When asked if he doesn't make the team, if he'll try pro wrestling, he said, "I always tell people, if one day I'm homeless on the streets, then I might try it." 

Borden Jr., who is 6-3 and 255 pounds, looks like a cross between a young Sting and Urijah Faber, and had said that if he didn't make it in football, he'd like to try pro surfing. He was a back-up tight end his junior and senior year, catching four passes as a senior and three as a junior. 

Chris Jericho announced in early May that he is returning to WWE this summer for a house show tour. Similar to his WWE return earlier this year, Jericho says he is only appearing on house shows. Included in the 19-date schedule is WWE’s international tour hitting Singapore and Tokyo, Japan in July. Jericho said he enjoys the house shows because he doesn’t have to worry about TV time constraints and he can work with newer stars. 

He said he has an idea of who he’s wrestling, but it’s “card subject to change” depending on how storylines shake out. Jericho’s WWE tour begins June 12, runs through Summerslam, and wraps up at the end of August. Included is a not-yet-announced date in Puerto Rico on August 29. Jericho’s band, Fozzy, wraps up their current U.S. tour on May 24. 

Jericho begins his WWE tour on June 12, then Fozzy has a few more shows sprinkled in June, July, and August. 

Keller reported - WWE is planning an Owen Hart DVD release, but without the backing of Martha Hart and her family, according to a revised report by WrestlingDVDNews.com. Thursday’s report noted that the DVD project had the backing of Martha and her children, but WrestlingDVDNews.com says they were contacted by Martha stating otherwise. The reported statement: “My children and I were unaware of this project until May 7, when it was brought to our attention by a friend who had read about it online. 

Contrary to your report, we do not back or support it in any way, nor has WWE requested our backing or support. From what little we know of the project, it seems to be another attempt to exploit Owen’s memory, and his tragic death, for commercial gain. We have resisted that kind of initiative for almost 16 years. If WWE really wanted to honor Owen’s legacy, it would just let him rest in peace.” 

Keller reported - Jim Ross commented on the current state of WWE announcing. He pointed to the “SportsCenter mentality” of often-times trying to be “cool” at the expense of the content or wrestlers/athletes being spotlighted. “Everyone wants to be cool, and glib, and hip. There’s nothing wrong with that, until they’re saying one thing, and I’m seeing another thing. That creates a disconnect. One of the two sides in that equation is going to be de-prioritized,” Ross said. “Sometimes the soundbite world can create a problem. Sometimes there’s that lame banter on wrestling shows that just doesn’t work. I just believe in tying everything together. You can bring different moods, including humor, it just has to fit what I’m seeing on my monitor.” 

JR also updated his status with WWE and Fox Sports in a new interview with the Baltimore Sun. Asked if he will call WWE programming again, Ross said, “WWE, no. There may be down the road some WWE opportunities, but I don’t think it will be in the broadcasting side. Time will tell on that.” As for Fox Sports, Ross said he just signed a new deal to contribute articles to FoxSports.com and potentially return to boxing announcing. “They’re in the process now of talking with Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya’s group. Boxing is changing so much. 

There’s a concerted effort now to re-jump start boxing. Everybody is trying to get back in the boxing business. So we’ll see how that works out. I’m a big boxing fan, and I had a great time with that,” 

That takes us to Payback

R-Truth pinned Stardust in 6:47. Not much to this one, with R-Truth winning after the lie detector. *¼

The Ascension beat Macho Mandow & Axel Mania in 2:49. Axel went full on Hogan, wearing a Hogan red and yellow ring outfit, the do rag and a bleached Fu Manchu. He did the Hogan stuff, complete with the legdrop on Konnor, but Viktor saved. Mandow went to the top rope for the elbow, but Konnor shoved him off and The Ascension hit the Fall of Man and pinned him. The announcers acted like it was the blow-off of the Meta Powers, as the Sandow & Axel team is going by, but they were still together at the Smackdown tapings. ½*

WWE announced on April 30th that Curtis Axel was released. What's your thoughts on that, and do you feel he was under utilized during his WWE career?

The next match was Sheamus vs Dolph Ziggler

At Extreme Rules, Ziggler defeated Sheamus in a Kiss Me Arse match. On the May 7th Smackdown, Ziggler and Neville defeated Sheamus and Barrett in a tag team match. 

Sheamus pinned Dolph Ziggler in 12:22. Good match, similar to last month. They came out fast. They built to a spot where Ziggler hiked up his trunks and rubbed his ass in Sheamus' face, to get back at him for last month. Sheamus acted like he was grossed out, ran out of the ring and chugged water. Lots of near falls and the people were with it. Ziggler head-butted Sheamus, and busted his own head open with a deep cut that needed 10 stitches over his right eye. He was bleeding all over the place and the cameras had to shoot while avoiding showing his face. They immediately went home with Sheamus hitting the Brogue kick for the pin. ***1/4

Rollins and Kane were backstage discussing the main event. Kane teased he'd let Rollins lose, saying losing may teach him how to be a real champion and a real man. Kane said he loved the job, but didn't need the job, and may stand idly by while Rollins loses. Noble & Mercury tried to get tough with Kane and he just laughed in their faces. So instead of the world title being pushed to find out who was the best of the top four guys, it was pushed as it was all about what Kane does.

The next match was a 2 out of 3 falls match for the tag titles. New Day defending against Tyson Kidd & Cesearo

How did you like wrestling in 2 out of 3 falls matches?

At Extreme Rules, New Day defeated Kidd & Cesaro to win the Tag Team titles. On the April 30th Smackdown, Kidd and Cesaro defeated The New Day by DQ in a rematch for the titles. 

The New Day of Kofi Kingston & Big E beat Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in 2/3 fall match in 11:55 to retain the tag titles. There was cool stuff here, and in some ways the match was great, but doing three falls in 12:00 made no sense and there were several key mistimed spots, including the second fall finish. Cesaro pinned Kingston in 2:46 after the giant swing into the Kidd dropkick. Cesaro did an impressive powerslam on E, and E press slammed Cesaro. Xavier Woods wanted to enter in the second fall, claiming Freebird rules. 

That wasn't allowed and Kidd wiped him out. Kidd did a tope onto E, who caught him in a bearhug and gave him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Woods on commentary said E is the muscle, Kingston is the agility and he is the brains. Their act is really good as a mid-card heel tag team. E tackled Cesaro to the floor. 

The New Day did their double-team finish on Kidd at 4:56 of the second fall for the pin, which was mistimed. Third fall saw a messed up attempt at a double-arm power bomb by Cesaro, who let it go seeing as E wasn't up enough and could have hurt him if he dropped him. The third fall saw Woods sneak into the ring and cradle Cesaro for the pin, with the idea the ref couldn't tell Woods and Kingston apart. ***½

Bray Wyatt pinned Ryback in 10:52. Very physical match although not a lot of heat. Wyatt used a final cut on Ryback on the apron. He then came off the apron with a senton on Ryback. Ryback's ribs were all taped up the next day. They teased a count out but Ryback jumped in on time. Ryback missed a splash off the ropes and started selling his ribs. Ryback went for shell shock. Wyatt grabbed the turnbuckle pad and pulled it off in getting to the ropes. Wyatt tackled him into the exposed metal and hit Sister Abigail for the pin. **3/4

John Cena beat Rusev in 27:59 of an I Quit match to retain the U.S. title. Lana was super over of course early. Rusev told Cena that half the people here hate him. They cheered Rusev when he said that. He told Cena to quit before the match starts to save him from a beating. Cena refused. The problem here is that the match consisted of the ref asking guys over-and-over if they quit, and it was clear nothing felt strong enough until late, when Rusev was blown up by the pyro, where you'd think anyone would quit. 

An I Quit match to work has to be based around submissions, but they went nearly a half hour and each guy only did their one submission late

A "We Want Lana" chant got super loud and Rusev played it up and told her to sit at the announcers table and she acted all sad. Rusev did two high dropkicks. But then the ref asked Cena if he wanted to quit, after a freaking dropkick. Rusev yelled at Lana for easy heat. Lana got out of her chair to give him the Russian flag to wave when Cena was down. 

Rusev brought in the stairs and did a uranage on the steps. Cena did an Attitude Adjustment on the steps. Cena threw the steps over the top at Rusev, but he moved out of the way. Cena threw Rusev into the post. He told him to quit or he's putting him through the barricade. He didn't, so Cena speared him through the barricade. Rusev hit Cena with a monitor and a laptop computer. They brawled to the pyro set up. 

This led to the big spot where Cena gave Rusev an Attitude Adjustment into the pyro, which went off. Rusev later suplexed Cena into a gimmicked bike rack, that appeared to be made of aluminum because it bent way too easily. He went for the accolade, but Cena powered out and backed him into the turnbuckles. Rusev put him in the accolade again, and Cena passed out. The problem was that he couldn't say I Quit when passed out. 

This was actually a Roy Shire gimmick in an early 70s match in Sacramento where Rocky Johnson was going for the U.S. title in a submission match, knocked the guy out cold, put him in a Boston crab, but because he was out cold, he couldn't submit and the match was stopped and ruled a no contest. Rusev grabbed water to revive Cena. Rusev undid the ropes, but Cena got him in the STF while wrapping the top rope around his face and eye. Rusev was screaming in Bulgarian, apparently "I Quit" in that language. So Lana quit for him. ***½

Naomi & Tamina Snuka beat Bella Twins in 6:09. It was put in a death spot and the crowd wasn't into it. The match also fell apart at the finish when Snuka was supposed to grab Nikki's leg as she went into the ropes. Nikki went into the ropes, she wasn't there, so Nikki paused and waited. 

Naomi hit the rear view but Nikki kicked out. Brie did a plancha off the steps onto Snuka. But Naomi slammed Nikki off the top rope for the pin. *

Neville beat Bad News Barrett in 7:23 via count out. A weird match, pretty much inexplicable in its goal. It was hard for them so late in the card. Really, this should have been the second or third best match on the show and it was a nothing. Neville went to the top rope. Barrett rolled out of the ring. Neville did a running twisting dive over the top and started selling the knee (which was wrapped up on TV the next day). The finish was that Barrett could have easily gotten in the ring, but at the last second, decided not to and stood there taking the loss. 

Those kind of finishes suck, but it's in the WWE playbook and has been with heels dating back 40 years. However, the idea is that the face gets a win but a heel leaves with heat. But the aftermath negated that. Barrett hit Neville with the bull hammer after and beat him down. Neville made his own comeback as Barrett was parading around in his robe. 

Neville hit a German suplex, and in doing so, Barrett's scepter broke. Then Neville hit the red arrow. So all the heat was blown off and the guy who essentially won twice is not in the IC title match and the guy who quit, and then lost, leaving with no heat, is. Why couldn't Neville have just won? He'd get his pop and impressive win, instead of a totally flat finish. *1/2

The next match was a 4 way for the WWE title. Seth Rollins defending against Randy Orton, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose

At Extreme Rules, Seth Rollins defeated Randy Orton in a cage match to retain the World title after interference from Kane, Jamie Nobel & Joey Mercury. On the April 27th Raw, it was announced that, as a result of a vote on the WWE App, Rollins was scheduled to defend the title against Orton and Roman Reigns in a threat match at the event.

On the May 4th Raw, Dean Ambrose defeated Rollins in a non-title match, and per the pre-match stipulation, he was added to the match, thus making the match a fatal 4 way. On the May 11th Raw, HHH decided that if Rollins lost the title, Kane would no longer be the Director of Operations 

Seth Rollins retained the WWE title in a four-way over Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns in 20:42. In the intros, Reigns was booed a little. Ambrose hit a tope on everyone. Reigns then used a running dive on everyone. Crowd got behind Reigns at this point. Usual near falls with break-ups. Kane very early on pulled Reigns out of the ring and threw him into the barricade. Ambrose attacked Kane, but Kane beat him up as well. Then Kane, Mercury and Noble all beat up Orton. Rollins used a sling blade, which is notable because that's Finn Balor's move here. He hit the springboard knee on Ambrose and Kane choke slammed Ambrose, but Ambrose still kicked out. Orton gave Rollins a back suplex on the barricade and cleaned out the announcers table. 

Reigns then threw Orton into the post. They did The Shield reunion spot, as they triple power bombed Orton through the table. Rollins stuck out his fist like they were all together, but Reigns and Ambrose then attacked Rollins. They went to power bomb Rollins through the table, but Kane broke it up. It built to Reigns and Ambrose power bombing Kane onto Rollins on the Spanish announcers table, which didn't break. Fans were screaming, "One more time." So they did the move a second time and the table broke. Reigns and Ambrose were the last two standing and Ambrose invited him in the ring and said, "loser buys the beers." 

They punched back and forth with the yay-boo spot where fans cheered for Ambrose. They went back and forth blocking moves until Reigns hit the spear, but Rollins had recovered in time to break up the pin. Mercury and Nobel attacked Reigns. 

He clotheslined Mercury and threw Noble into the barricade and hit Rollins with the Superman punch. Ambrose used Dirty Deeds on Rollins but Kane pulled Ambrose out of the ring and threw him into the steps and then hit him with the steps. Kane hit Reigns with the steps as well and choke slammed Reigns on the steps. 

In the ring, Noble and Mercury attacked Orton, but Orton hit RKOs on both of them. Rollins came off the top on Orton, who caught him in a powerslam and hit the draping DDT. 

Kane went after Orton, but Orton laid out Kane with an RKO, but that allowed Rollins to hit a weak looking pedigree on Orton for the pin. Well laid out and the best match on the show, but it felt with so much interference constantly as opposed to just for the finish, like a clown show rather than a title match. ***3/4

The next night, Raw took place from Richmond, VA. It drew 6,300

Steph and HHH opened the show talking about how Rollins was the future of the WWE and that tonight's show will feature "Seth Rollins: Architect of a Dream." They said how Rollins beat Ambrose, Orton and Reigns the previous night, so now they have to go to the back of the line. He said championships are reserved for those who can rise to the occasion in big matches. They unveiled the IC title. Steph said that she was happy that Bryan last week admitted she was right, and that Bryan has now had to relinquish two titles in two years because his body couldn't handle this. 

Sheamus came out and he took credit for ending the "Yes" movement. They showed the clips of Sheamus throwing Bryan around from the Smackdown show on March 31st in Fresno, which is where Bryan's injuries came from. He claimed that he ended Bryan's career and wanted the belt. Ryback came out and stuck up for Bryan, talking about how much heart he has and how he damn near ruined his body to become IC champion. Ryback said that he doesn't like bullies and he doesn't like Sheamus. Stephanie booked both into the Chamber match and HHH said he wanted them to have a match immediately. 

Sheamus pinned Ryback in 10:00 with the brogue kick

Kane was backstage and said he thought after last night, that Rollins has grown up. But Rollins instead of thanking Kane for helping him win, bragged about how by winning, he saved Kane's job and so Kane has nothing to celebrate. Ambrose came out and joked about how it only took Rollins with three guys help to win. 

Ambrose said that he beat Rollins the last time they wrestled (in the match that got Ambrose into the four-way) so he's going to grant Rollins a rematch, but only if Rollins puts up the title. Rollins blew him off and told him to say hello to Reigns and Orton when he sees them at the back of the line. Ambrose then went to Kane and said that he knew he was Seth's neutered lap dog but seeing it up close breaks his heart. He said to Kane, "What would Paul Bearer or The Undertaker think if they saw you?" Ambrose said Kane was a glorified butler and Kane ordered Ambrose to face Wyatt tonight.

Renee Young interviewed Neville. Dallas came out and did his act. Neville asked Dallas, "Who did I beat to start my record breaking NXT title reign." I like the idea they make the NXT title mean something on the show. Dallas attacked Neville's taped up left knee. Barrett then pinned Neville in 7:05 with the bull hammer elbow. 

Rusev came out. He came out without Lana, so the crowd went crazy for her. He said that she needs to learn her place and she doesn't speak for him. Rusev said that he speaks our stupid language perfectly and never said "I Quit." Fans were chanting for Lana. He tried to get them to chant louder and that didn't really work. Rusev said that Cena passed out during the match and that Lana quit because she's weak. He wanted Cena to restart the match tonight. Instead, Lana came out. Lana was all sad and played the loyal girlfriend whose guy is treating her like crap and blaming her for his failures.

She said the people misunderstand Rusev and she believes in him. It should be noted that she was purposely losing her accent in this promo so it appears as they turn her face they want to transition her speaking voice as well. She said she was trying to protect him. He called her pathetic and disgusting. She then said that he, in fact, did say "I Quit" in Bulgarian and some people started a "You quit" chant that didn't get a lot of steam. He called her a liar and told her that he doesn't need her, she's weak and she makes him weak.

Wyatt pinned Ambrose in 13:26. Wyatt missed a senton off the middle rope. Ambrose went to the top rope. Mercury distracted Ambrose and then Noble shoved Ambrose off the top rope. Wyatt caught him with Sister Abigail for the clean pin. Rollins was laughing with a champagne glass watching Ambrose lose.

Kidd & Cesaro beat Kingston & Big E in a tag title match via DQ in 5:49. Woods was banned from ringside. Big E ripped on the crowd saying they were simple illiterate people in a backwater state. Kidd came off the apron with a huracanrana on E to the floor. The finish saw the heels DQ'd for stomping Kidd in the corner and not breaking by the count of five.

There was a huge post-match brawl with all the teams in the Chamber match. The Lucha Dragons came out first and did dives off the top on The New Day. Los Matadores were in next and did a double tope on E. The Ascension came in next. Fans groaned when they arrived. They laid out Kidd with a double-team move. The Prime Time Players were next and O'Neil threw Kingston around and clotheslined Konnor over the top. The Lucha Dragons then both did another dive on everyone. O'Neil and Young were the only ones left in the ring, and O'Neil pulled Woods in the ring by the hair and Young gave him a gut buster, so they left them as the last team standing. 

Cena came out doing a pro "USA" promo. He pointed out military guys, in uniform, in the balcony, and that got an easy pop. Kevin Owens came out. Some people knew him and reacted. A lot didn't know him, which is understandable. Cena put him over big at first and noted he was a big deal, and noted a lot of people don't know him. 

Owens said that anyone who doesn't know him he considers a waste of time. He said he wanted to ease Cena's mind because Cena thought he injured Zayn. He told Cena that it was he who injured Zayn and on the NXT special he's going to finish the job. Cena said that you don't ever call fans a waste of time, as without them there is no Raw and no WWE and no Cena or Owens. He told Owens he wanted to give him veteran advice. Owens cut him off and said that he's been doing this for 15 years, longer than Cena but the difference is nobody gave him a break until now, so you can't give me any career advice. 

Cena wanted to start the match. Owens then said he's a prize fighter, and held up his belt, and said that he already has his prize, so when it comes to the U.S. title, his answer is No. He said that the two of them would fight some day, but it would on his terms, not Cena's. Owens then attacked Cena and left him laying with a power bomb. Then Owens stepped on the U.S. title belt and held his own belt up. 

Ziggler pinned Stardust with the Zig Zag in 1:25. 

Kane was walking down the aisle and saw Rose and Rosa Mendes making out.

Harper & Rowan beat Fandango & Ryder in 3:26 when Harper superkicked Ryder and Rowan pinned him after a full nelson slam. 

Stephanie was backstage with the Bella Twins. She said she didn't mean to be hard on Bryan to Brie, and offered Brie her most sincere sympathy because the health of our superstars and Divas is so important to her. She said that Brie was going through a hard time so wanted to schedule counseling for her. She said Brie needed so

Nikki Bella retained the Divas title beating Naomi in 6:28 when Nikki had her up in the rack attack, but Tamina superkicked Nikki for the DQ. Nikki did a tope on both of them during the match. EMT's were working on Snuka after she took the tope.  They both beat down Nikki after until Paige made the save. Paige superkicked Naomi, but then Paige looked at the belt on the ground, and laid out Nikki with Rampage.

Backstage, HHH congratulated Owens. Renee Young was with him. He announced his getting the U.S. title match at the Chamber show.

Final segment was the Rollins party. Stephanie, HHH and Kane were out. HHH said he sees the reflection of himself in Rollins. HHH talked about him doing the pedigree and it giving him goose bumps and we're all here to celebrate. Kane told Rollins that we both wouldn't be here without each other and said that in front of all these people, he wants to say that he's glad Rollins is still champion and he's the best thing for business. Rollins then said, "That's all you have to say?" 

Kane then, getting madder, said "Thank you for saving my job." Kane said he put together a video. Noble said how the cream always rises to the top and it's a privilege working with him and that HHH & Stephanie made the right decision putting their faith in him. Ambrose came out and made a Justin Bieber remark. Ambrose asked for a title shot. Stephanie noted that he lost last night. Ambrose said he wanted his chance or else. Stephanie said that he's done nothing to earn a title shot and told Rollins to take care of him. Rollins acted unsure. They brawled. Ambrose was getting the better of Rollins, Mercury and Noble. Ambrose backdropped Rollins on the table that didn't break. 

Then Ambrose unveiled cinder blocks and said he was going to kill Rollins unless he got a title shot. Stephanie said to let him go and you'll get your title match. Mercury and Noble attacked again but Ambrose took care of them until Kane laid out Ambrose. But Ambrose came back with a rebound lariat on Kane. Rollins attacked Ambrose. 

The show ended with Ambrose being beaten down

After Raw went off the air, they did a Cena & Reigns over Rusev & Rollins match. Rollins worked in his dress pants since there was no time to change. Reigns was cheered heavily, and he pinned Rollins with a spear.

This Raw did a 2.87 rating, which was 3.98 million viewers

Previous Raw ratings leading up to May 18th

• 3/30: 5.267 million 3H viewers (down 5.9% from 2H)
• 4/6: 3.552 million 3H viewers (down 12.1% from 2H)
• 4/13: 3.525 million 3H viewers (down 6.9% from 2H)
• 4/20: 3.873 million 3H viewers (down 6.4% from 2H)
• 4/27: 3.590 million 3H viewers (down 6.9% from 2H)
• 5/4: 3.588 million 3H viewers (down 3.3% from 2H)
• 5/11: 3.385 million 3H viewers (down 12.1% from 2H) 

Payback poll results -

• Thumbs up 101 (59.8%)
• Thumbs down 16 (09.5%)
• In the middle 52 (30.8%)

BEST MATCH POLL

Rollins vs. Orton vs. Reigns vs. Ambrose 114

New Day vs. Kidd & Cesaro 34

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler 11

John Cena vs. Rusev 10

WORST MATCH POLL

Snuka & Naomi vs. Bellas 98

The Ascension vs. Mandow & Axelmania 22

John Cena vs. Rusev 19

Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback 11

R-Truth vs. Stardust 11