Monday Night Raw Results 5/6: Believe this: In life and in the ring, nobody defies Evolution and goes uncontested. Despite a death- (and gravity-) defying effort by The Shield to knock off Triple H, Randy Orton & Batista at Extreme Rules, The King of Kings was quick to act, placing Ambrose into an unwinnable situation by decreeing that the reigning champion would have to defend his U.S. Title in a 20-Man Battle Royal. And guess what? Ambrose didn't win.
Sheamus won a 20-Man Battle Royal to become the new United States Champion
Granted, it took some luck of the Irish to wrestle Old Glory from the "Lunatic Fringe's" taped-up fingers, since the battle eventually came down to Sheamus, Jack Swagger, Ambrose and both members of RybAxel. Ambrose eliminated the latter three singlehandedly before wandering into a Brogue Kick that left him ripe for the eliminating by the lurking Celtic Warrior. Having successfully taken the Hound's collar from him, The Game re-emerged from his corporate perch to add one final insult to The Shield's injury - a fourth clash pitting them against The Wyatt Family in the night's main event.
Rob Van Dam def. Cesaro via Disqualification
A nasty spill over the ropes gave The Swiss Superman some breathing room after a tight back-and-forth, yet Mr. Monday Night countered with an innovative trifecta of roll-up attempts. Cesaro countered The Whole Dam Show's educated feet with his own refined fists, though his temper got the better of him in the end. After trapping RVD in the Tree of Woe, Cesaro began battering him from outside the ring, exceeding the referee's five-count and getting himself disqualified in a display that, truth be told, was a lot more reminiscent of Heyman's other client (the one who did you-know-what) than the WWE Universe might like to admit.
Ryback def. Cody Rhodes
Despite a brief surge by The Human Wrecking Ball, "The Prince" seemed poised to capture the win until Curtis Axel got involved, instigating a brawl that drove Goldust into the ringpost with Cody perched atop it. The fall dropped Cody seamlessly into Shell Shocked and a 1-2-3 by "The Big Guy," but if The Brotherhood's frustrations continue to build, it's at least a sign of progress that they've shifted their gaze away from each other.
Rusev def. Kofi Kingston
While Kofi's aerial expertise gave him the best showing yet against The Bulgarian Brute (thanks in no small part to a dropkick that turned Rusev's nose to tomato paste), The Wildcat's ride on Air Rusev was as brief as it was brutal, culminating in an Accolade that brought an iron curtain down on Kingston's evening.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan def. Alberto Del Rio
Luckily for Bryan, he found his footing right as Del Rio's offense reached its apex, knocking "Mexico's Greatest Export" off the turnbuckle with a series of kidney punches and connecting with a flying elbow. Del Rio rallied but destiny was denied when Bryan hurricanrana'd his way into a "Yes!" Lock for the win.
Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett def. Big E
It was Big E's own power that worked against him when Barrett dodged a charge into the corner, following up with a Cactus Elbow off the apron that took the wind from E's sails. The big man repaid the favor by allowing Barrett to run himself into the corner, bringing the match to an even keel. E stayed on the champion so much so that Barrett had to resort to trickery in order to save his title: First, he faked begging for mercy to create separation, then eye-raked his way out of the Big Ending to strike with Bad News for the victory.
The Wyatt Family def. The Shield
Four go-rounds in, and each ride on the Shield vs. Wyatts carousel remains as much of a thriller as the WWE Universe is ever likely to see. Despite their numerous clashes, WWE's two rowdiest factions still can't wait to get their hands on each other; the six men began brawling before the bell even rang on their latest Authority-mandated clash. Once things settled into a groove, it was high-flying Seth Rollins and then now-former U.S. Champion Dean Ambrose who found himself isolated by The Wyatts.
The Hounds wisely unleashed Rollins at a decisive moment to equalize the match, and that he did (standing senton!!) until Harper cut him short and tagged in Bray Wyatt to follow up. The aerialist managed to hang tough and tag in Roman Reigns, but the big Hound's rampage was thwarted by Evolution, whose interference allowed Bray to execute Sister Abigail for the victory. It was the post-match display that really left The Shield in tatters, as the Hounds suffered RKOs, Pedigrees and, ultimately, a Triple Powerbomb to Roman Reigns - adaptation at its finest.
