The show opens with a video package focusing on Braun Strowman trying to take out Roman Reigns after WWE Payback. Footage from last week in London is shown of Reigns confronting Strowman and going after his injured elbow.
The RAW opening hits. We go live inside the Prudential Center in New Jersey where a big display of pyro goes off. Michael Cole is the first to welcome us to the show.
RAW General Manager Kurt Angle opens the show and heads to the ring. Angle talks about Roman Reigns “settling the score” with Braun Strowman last week. He says Strowman suffered a shattered elbow, flew back to the United States and underwent surgery. Angle says Strowman may be out of action for up to six months. He notes that Strowman set his sights on the Universal Championship and asks who will now challenge Brock Lesnar for the championship. Angle gave it a lot of thought and it has to be earned, not given. He says at Extreme Rules for the first time ever, we will have a Fatal Five Way match and the winner will face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. Angle has given thought to who those five will be. He reveals the five: Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns.
Angle promises Extreme Rules will be historical.
Here comes Roman Reigns to interrupt.
Angle stays in the ring as Reigns gets inside with a mic in hand. Very mixed reaction for Reigns in Newark tonight. Reigns says we don’t need a Fatal Five Way match because he is the No. 1 Contender. “This is my yard. I beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania. I put Strowman in that ambulance. And I’m the only guy around here that can beat Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.” Finn Balor interrupts and has something to say.
Balor brings up he was the first ever Universal Champion. “Oh and I never lost my title,” adds Balor. He says if Reigns wants a “piece of the beast”, the line starts behind him. Reigns tells Balor he has a lot of heart, but he doesn’t have the killer instinct to beat Brock. Balor brings up beating Reigns during his first night on RAW.
Samoa Joe interrupts. He says Reigns and Balor have it wrong. Joe says it is about two things: actions and results. He talks about choking out Seth Rollins. Joe suggests he will win the Fatal Five Way match and will go on to face Brock Lesnar.
The lights go out. When they come back on, Bray Wyatt is standing in the middle of the ring and has a mic in hand. Wyatt says the beast is approaching and they are all really scared. “You will cower. You will fall. And you will run,” says Wyatt.
Here comes Seth Rollins. He says Extreme Rules is still many weeks away and that New Jersey didn’t come here for talking. Rollins says he came here to fight Samoa Joe. Rollins and Joe start brawling at the end of the ramp. Wyatt attacks Balor. Reigns tosses Wyatt out. Rollins works the left knee of Joe against the ropes. Joe limps up the ramp. Wyatt with a shot on Rollins sending him out of the ring. Reigns with a Superman to Wyatt. Rollins with right hands to Wyatt. Balor with a double dropkick to both Wyatt and Rollins at ringside. Balor goes up to the top turnbuckle, Reigns misses a Superman and Balor with a Sling Blade takedown. Reigns rolls out of the ring. Balor hits the ropes and dives over the top rope taking out both Reigns and Rollins at ringside.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus is next.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Finn Balor and Seth Rollins are arguing with Roman Reigns nearby. Kurt Angle breaks it up and books Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt and Reigns vs. Balor.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus
Jeff goes after Sheamus immediately in the corner. Jeff avoids a Brogue Kick and gets a roll up for a quick two count. Jeff tosses Sheamus over the top rope and dropkicks him through the ropes. Sheamus catches Jeff trying to dive out and slams him against the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Sheamus drops a big knee on Jeff off the corner. Some loud “DELETE” chants in New Jersey tonight. Sheamus catches Jeff with a quick scoop slam. Jeff with a quick kick away dropkick to Sheamus. Jeff with an atomic drop and jumping low blow combo. Sheamus catches Jeff with a big knee to the face for a close two count. Sheamus catches Jeff with double boots in the corner and pulls himself up to the top turnbuckle. Jeff catches Sheamus with a modified Twist of Fate/Stunner off the corner for another close two count. Cesaro jumps up on the ring apron to distract Jeff. Matt pulls him off. Sheamus catches Matt with a big boot. Jeff with a Twist of Fate to Sheamus. Jeff goes up top and connects with a nasty looking Swantom Bomb over Sheamus. Jeff gets the pinfall for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Matt and Jeff Hardy celebrate the win.
-Commercial Break-
Sasha Banks vs. Alicia Fox
Footage from last week’s match is shown. The replay shows Fox got her shoulder up as Banks got the pinfall on her. Banks with a shoulder block early on Fox. Banks catches Fox with a kick to the face. Fox fires back with a kick of her own from the corner. Fox with a northern lights suplex on Banks for a two count. Banks with repeated clothesline takedowns and a dropkick to Fox. Banks with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors to Fox. Fox with a roll up on Banks from the corner and Banks kicks out. Fox holds on to the ropes to avoid a backcracker. Fox tosses Banks out and Banks grabs her knee. Banks with a small package for another two count on Fox. Fox catches Banks with a big scissors kick to get the pinfall.
Winner: Alicia Fox
