Match of the Day - 9/30/2015: The Shield vs. Evolution!

Two of the greatest factions in WWE history face off in what I like to call a “generational tribalism” match in today’s Match of the Day! During their heyday, Evolution (Ric Flair, Triple H, Batista, and Randy Orton) was one of the most dangerous and successful tandems that WWE has seen in a long time. The Four Horsemen-inspired faction, led by “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, enjoyed tremendous success by capturing every major title the company had to offer at the time. Fast forward nearly a decade later, The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) bursts on the scene, bringing in a different meaning of the word “team”. Clad in SWAT Team attire, the trio fought for what they perceived as “injustices”, and decimated anyone who was foolish enough to get in their way. They had no problems when it came to championships, either, when they held the WWE United States and Tag Team Championships during their time as a team.

So, what do you get when two mega factions of the past and present clash? A pure classic encounter. So, here it is! This particular match took place at last year’s Extreme Rules, several months before The Shield disbanded.

WWE Monday Night RAW Results for June 3rd, 2014

Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) shows up. Triple H still wants to go against The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) as he insists the battle still isn't finished until The Shield is. Batista butts in and tells Triple H he wants his WWE World title shot, but Triple H won't give it to him due to his insistence on continuing to fight The Shield as well as the Daniel Bryan situation. Batista quits, and ignores Triple H when he commands him to get back in the ring.

Paul Heyman guests on commentary for the next match.

Rob Van Dam and Sheamus beat Cesaro and Bad News Barrett after Paul Heyman takes Cesaro out of the match, leaving Bad News Barrett high and dry.

Damien Sandow is off the deep end this time, as he now pretends to be Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson. Thankfully, Big Show puts him out of his misery.

Bo Dallas beats Kofi Kingston.

Stephanie McMahon heads to the ring...

Stephanie McMahon shows. She forces Daniel Bryan to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Kane in a Stretcher Match at Money In The Bank. All of a sudden, John Cena shows up. He confronts Stephanie, saying the WWE World title picture is out of hand. He says nobody is bigger than the title...not even a McMahon. He sings Daniel Bryan's praises, then tells Stephanie the title picture is all her fault. Stephanie puts Cena against Kane...next.

John Cena beats Kane by disqualification after Kane disregards the referee's five count and refuses to back out of the corner and away from Cena. He nearly Tombstones Cena after the match, but Cena reverses it and throws the steel steps at Kane.

Renee Young interviews Randy Orton. He and Triple H are still on the same page...and tonight, he takes on Roman Reigns.

Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) beat 3MB (Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre) after Hornswoggle is de-afro'd.

Alicia Fox and Aksana beat Nikki Bella in a Divas handicap match set up by Stephanie McMahon, then continue to attack her after the match.

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan plan on continuing where a noticeably absent Bray Wyatt left off...tonight...

Adam Rose beats Jack Swagger.

Byron Saxton interviews The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). They're ready for The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)!

The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erick Rowan) beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso).

Alberto Del Rio beats Dolph Ziggler to qualify for the Money In The Bank Ladder Match at Money In The Bank.

Rybaxel (Curtis Axel and Ryback) beat Goldust and Sin Cara.

Rusev is honored as a hero of the Russian Federation.

This Friday on SmackDown: Bray Wyatt returns!

Before Randy Orton vs. Roman Regins can begin, Triple H says that he and Orton have a Plan B. Plan B is Seth Rollins turning on Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns with multiple chair shots. Randy Orton finishes Ambrose and Reigns off.

WWE Monday Night RAW Results for May 26th, 2014

Today is Memorial Day here in the good ol' United States of America!

Stephanie McMahon and Triple H show up. Stephanie says tonight is all about choices, and wants Daniel Bryan to make the right choice: personally surrender the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H agrees, saying Daniel is a flash in the pan. He also says The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) will fall victim to Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) at Payback...after a contract signing tonight, of course. Stephanie calls out Brad Maddox. He shows up. Triple H chastises Brad for allowing The Shield to interfere in Seth Rollins vs. Batista last week, and Brad said The Shield forced him to allow them in. Stephanie sends out Kane, who demolishes Maddox with a choke slam and a Tombstone Piledriver. Stephanie obviously enjoys it, and it's pretty easy to tell she's controlling him. Stephanie McMahon then fires Brad Maddox from his position as Raw General Manager.

Bad News Barrett tells us the cruel summer will expose how fat we've gotten since last year, and that he'll retain the Intercontinental title at Payback. He guests on commentary for the next match.

Cesaro beats Rob Van Dam after the distraction by Bad News Barrett. Sheamus rushes in and Brogue Kicks Cesaro.

Eva Marie beats Summer Rae after the distraction by Layla and Fandango.

The Brotherhood (Cody Rhodes and Goldust) meets Randy Orton and Batista. They want to tell Triple H that they're issuing an open challenge to any tag team on the roster, but when Orton and Batista tell them Triple H isn't in the office, this leads to a bit of arguing between the two pairs. Triple H shows up and makes a match between the two teams.

El Torito beats Drew McIntyre. After the match, Hornswoggle rips El Torito's tail off!

El Torito's tail has to be put back on in the trainer's room.

The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan) show up. At Payback, Bray Wyatt says he'll be last man standing...then he calls out Jerry Lawler. When Lawler refuses, Harper and Rowan surround the commentary table, and Lawler has no choice when they lay out JBL for trying to confront Wyatt. Wyatt confronts Lawler for being an ally of John Cena, but before the Wyatts can harm him, Cena runs in only to be outnumbered, and Wyatt makes Cena watch him put Jerry Lawler in the Sister Abigail. Before that can happen, though, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) show up and even the odds, saving both Cena and Lawler and forcing the Wyatts to retreat. Cena confronts Bray Wyatt about his change in behavior since they first tied up before WrestleMania 30, then promises that he'll come out on top at Payback.

Zack Ryder is about to celebrate Memorial Day in the ring, but Lana ruins it.

Rusev quickly beats Zack Ryder with the Accolade...but Big E runs in and sends Rusev running for the hills!

Evolution (Randy Orton and Batista) almost beat The Brotherhood (Cody Rhodes and Goldust). After pinning Rhodes, they find out Rhodes is elimination and it is now an Elimination No-Holds-Barred handicap match between them and Goldust. Orton and Batista quickly beat Goldust to win the match.

JBL returns to the commentary table.

Bo Dallas beats Sin Cara in his Raw debut.

Tomorrow night on Main Event: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) take on The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)!

Stephanie McMahon shows up and calls out Daniel Bryan. D-Bry shows up. Stephanie wants him to surrender the WWE World title. D-Bry says his injury is worse than previously thought, and agrees with personally surrendering the title...but calls her out on being able to control Kane when he took out Brad Maddox earlier this evening. Now that he knows she's lying through her teeth about not being able to control Kane in the past few weeks, he refuses to do so, as this is exactly what Stephanie wants so she can stick it to the fans yet again. Stephanie mentions that Brie Bella put her hands on her two weeks ago while Daniel Bryan was being put in the ambulance, however, and gives him until Payback to make his choice: either personally surrender the WWE World Heavyweight Championship or Brie Bella is fired!

Emma beats Alicia Fox...then Fox beats Emma up. Then the craziness begins, as Alicia Fox goes nuts one more time, giving a guy a wedgie.

John Cena salutes the troops.

The kickoff for Payback is El Torito vs Hornswoggle in a Mask vs. Hair match!

Adam Rose beats Damien Sandow, who is dressed as Davy Crockett, even as Jack Swagger holds one of his Rosebuds hostage. When Swagger attacks, however, Adam Rose strikes back!

This Friday on SmackDown: US champ Sheamus vs IC champ Bad News Barrett! It's Champion vs. Champion!

Sheamus beats Alberto Del Rio. After the match, Heyman speaks on the mic so he can distract Sheamus, leaving Cesaro to viciously blindside The Great White.

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) throw away the chairs and table before Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) show up for the contract signing for their match. Triple H tells The Shield they're signing their death warning, but they don't care. They sign anyway, as does Evolution. The inevitable brawl happens. Evolution comes out on top this time, with Roman Reigns being powerbombed through a table by all three members of Evolution.

WWE Monday Night RAW Results for May 19th, 2014

The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan) kick off the show tonight in London, England. Bray has the whole world in his hands. After promising he'll win at Payback and Luke Harper will take him down, John Cena's music hits. Harper and Rowan prepare to meet him at the ramp, but Cena sneaks up on Wyatt from behind, hits the Attitude Adjustment and escapes.

Cesaro beats Sheamus after Paul Heyman provides the distraction. When Sheamus asks to shake hands after the match, Cesaro ducks him.

Big E beats Ryback in a Beat The Clock Challenge for #1 contendership to the WWE Intercontinental Championship in 5 minutes and 2 seconds.

Before Fandango and Layla can take on R-Truth and one of the Funkadactyls (Cameron and Naomi), Summer Rae barges in, forces Fandango to kiss her and goes at it with Layla!

Stephanie McMahon comes out to Daniel Bryan's music. After channeling her inner Bad News Barrett, she considers handing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship over to someone else, but instead asks that Daniel Bryan show up on Raw next week and surrender the title.

The Union Jacks (Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal) are back! But it's not a happy homecoming in London as Rusev shows up and beats down all three of them!

Rusev beats Heath Slater with the Accolade.

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) still have a bone to pick with Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista)...and Rollins plans to get the job done against Batista tonight!

Rob Van Dam beats Alberto Del Rio in the Beat The Clock Challenge for #1 contendership to the WWE Intercontinental Championship in 4 minutes and 15 seconds, supplanting Big E.

Renee Young interviews John Cena. He's got The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) to equalize the odds against Luke Harper tonight.

Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) know they're in for a war...and plan to take out The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) one by one...starting with Seth Rollins.

Triple H is special guest ring announcer and Randy Orton is special guest time keeper for the next match after they place themselves in those positions. Not surprisingly, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins become guest commentators.

Seth Rollins beats Batista by disqualification after The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Rollins, Roman Reigns) and Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) brawl, and Triple H strikes Rollins. The Shield ends up standing tall in the end.

Alicia Fox hands Paige her first main roster loss...and goes nuts celebrating her win.

Bray Wyatt plans to beat John Cena at his own game tonight.

Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler fight to a draw. Rob Van Dam shows up to celebrate his Beat The Clock Challenge win only to be attacked by Bad News Barrett, who is then cheered by the crowd as he delivers the bad news. Rob Van Dam is now #1 contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Renee Young interviews Adam Rose. Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger show up after some time, and Zeb wants to fight Adam Rose. Swagger hits Adam Rose with a cheap shot, and after he gets aggressive with some of the Exotic Express, Adam Rose strikes back, having had enough of Zeb and Swagger.

Hulk Hogan will be on SmackDown this Friday!

John Cena vs. Luke Harper is thrown out after The Wyatts attack Cena, despite the efforts of The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) to save the match. The show ends with a Sister Abigail to Cena at the top of the entrance ramp, followed by Harper counting to ten as Wyatt sings.

WWE Monday Night RAW Results for May 12th, 2014

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) are in the ring. They were laid out last week, but they're back and ready for more, especially Roman Reigns, who plans to make The Evolution believe not only in The Shield, but also in him. The TitanTron soon shows a limo pulling up into the arena, and as soon as Triple H steps out, The Shield run straight to the back. Meanwhile, Triple H is signing a document on a clipboard with Randy Orton and Batista behind them. Not long after he signs it and the three of them start to approach the ring, The Shield leave them laying in a preemptive assault.

Despite the warning by Zeb Colter to keep his distance, Adam Rose shows up with his Rosebuds. Rob Van Dam takes advantage of the distraction to beat Jack Swagger.

Despite Alicia Fox getting very territorial before the match and very aggressive during it, Paige beats Alicia Fox. Fox goes ballistic after the match, spraying a drink everywhere, partially dismantling the commentary table and even walking back to the back while wearing JBL's hat!

Daniel Bryan shows up. He says he needs neck surgery due to all the beatings he's taken as of late. He plans to get it somewhere around next Thursday and says it might end his career, but he vows to return to WWE.

John Cena and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) beat The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan). Bray Wyatt thanks John Cena, as he has finally realized what he must do.

Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista) show up. Randy Orton feels the gloves need to come off concerning The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns), as he and Batista and have enough. Triple H has a plan to systematically decimate The Shield, but as he describes it, Evolution is suddenly ambushed by The Shield yet again! After the ambush, Batista challenges Roman Reigns to a match later tonight.

Nikki Bella beats Natalya in a match with the rest of the cast of Total Divas holding judges' scorecards throughout the match. The match started after what happened last night on Total Divas, with Nikki being dishonest about liking the painting of her and John Cena that Natalya gave her. After the match, Natalya takes the scorecards thing a little too personally, and her feelings are clearly hurt.

Sheamus beats Curtis Axel with the Cloverleaf only to be attacked by Ryback. This starts another match.

Sheamus beats Ryback.

Stephanie McMahon shows up and says Daniel Bryan is not an A+ player, and says she was trying to protect him. She asks Daniel to come to the ring, but Kane shows up instead, dragging Daniel Bryan out to the top of the entrance ramp with a reddened forehead and a torn shirt. Daniel Bryan has to be taken out on a stretcher again.

Brie Bella snaps at Stephanie McMahon as Daniel Bryan is placed in the ambulance.

Dolph Ziggler beats Fandango when Layla's interference attempt fails. After the match, Fandango knows he's the real winner for having Layla at his side, and easily forgives her.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan enters the ring! Lana shows up, though, and after some America bashing, she sics Rusev on him. Rusev breaks Hacksaw's 2x4, but Big E makes the save and keeps Rusev from breaking Hacksaw himself, even though Rusev hits him hard, too.

After Damien Sandow is unable to vent his frustration with WWE due to being interrupted, Cody Rhodes beats Damien Sandow.

Bray Wyatt wants to see how far John Cena is willing to go to take him down.

John Cena answers Bray Wyatt this Friday night on SmackDown.

Roman Reigns vs. Batista becomes a brawl between The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) and Evolution (Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista). Stephanie McMahon sends out the heels of the WWE roster to take out The Shield...but The Shield strike back! Evolution is forced to flee as the heels are decimated and Ryback is put in a three-man power bomb.

WWE Monday Night RAW Results for April 28th, 2014

The ring is surrounded by a steel cage. John Cena comes out to start the show, and gets in the cage with the mic. Cena wants to know why he was in a 3-on-1 handicap match with The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, Luke Harper) last week, but ultimately acknowledges the WWE Universe has changed, even though he has never abandoned them. He feels the future of WWE is in good hands with the current champions of the main roster and the future stars coming out of NXT, but says Bray Wyatt is not like the rosy vision he sees. If Wyatt wins, so will his message. Suddenly, he hears a young girl sing "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," which is soon joined by other similar voices. We see a children's choir all dressed in black. Bray Wyatt and his Wyatt Family show up. He sings, then gets the choir to join him. They go down the ramp and surround the cage, continuously singing. The arena goes dark, then lights up, and the entire choir of children all wear masks. A girl sits on Wyatt's lap as Bray Wyatt laughs, and we see this image until the show fades to black.

The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) retain the WWE Tag Team Championships against Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) despite injuries sustained during the match by Jimmy Uso.

Paul Heyman is shocked that Rob Van Dam spoke out against him last week...and wants Cesaro to shut him down tonight, using Undertaker as an example of what happens to those who are against him.

Sheamus beats Titus O'Neil in a vicious match with a blink-and-you'll-miss it Brogue Kick.

Dolph Ziggler is in the ring. After a preview of X-Men: Days of Future Past, he introduces Hugh Jackman into the ring. After revisiting how he helped Zack Ryder win against Ziggler on his last Raw appearance, Damien Sandow shows up dressed as Magneto. After some rather hilarious banter, Jackman and Ziggler give "Magneto" the what for.

Cesaro beats Jack Swagger after Paul Heyman lays his hands on Zeb Colter.

Renee Young interviews John Cena. He has no words for tonight's opening segment. Has Bray Wyatt gotten to him?

Alberto Del Rio beats Cody Rhodes with the Cross Arm Breaker. Much like after his loss to The Usos last week, Cody Rhodes pushes his brother Goldust away again as he heads to the locker room.

Make-A-Wish kids get front row seats for World Wish Day!

Renee Young interviews Rob Van Dam. He plans to become a lucky seven-time Intercontinental Champ. Suddenly, Zeb Colter asks for RVD's help to take down Cesaro. RVD declines his offer, saying he has a mind of his own.

The Extreme Rules kickoff: El Torito vs Hornswoggle in a WeeLC match!

3MB (Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre) beats Los Matadores (Fernando and Diego) when one of the Matadores is distracted trying to keep El Torito and Hornswoggle from going at it. After the match, however, El Torito gets the last laugh.

Stephanie McMahon shows up and asks Daniel ryan to come to the ring. Daniel shows up with Brie Bella. Daniel feels Stephanie was less than truthful about trying to stop Kane. Stephanie apologizes to Brie Bella for all she put her through, as she can relate with Triple H being put on stretchers and in ambulances. Daniel, however, is indifferent. When Stephanie asks him to come to the ring and look in her eyes, Daniel says he'll still see a liar. He is, however, clear for this Sunday night, and if he loses, he's taking Kane down with him. Stephanie tries to make it up to him by giving Brie Bella a match tonight against Paige for the WWE Divas Championship. Daniel Bryan doesn't want Brie Bella to be in the ring without him, and Stephanie allows for him to be with Brie during her match. Before the break, however, we find out Kane's mask, which has been displayed under glass twice tonight, is now nowhere to be seen.

As Brie Bella takes on Paige, Kane makes his appearance known. He tries to drag Brie Bella to Hell. Daniel Bryan tries to stop him by striking him with a wrench, but gets choke slammed. Brie manages to escape Kane's grasp as referees and medical staff check on Daniel Bryan as they assist him to the back.

Stephanie McMahon walks in on Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella as a trainer takes a look at the former, profusely apologizing. Daniel gets angry, saying he'll be at Extreme Rules and that Stephanie will regret dragging his wife into this. Brie Bella tells her to get out and calls her a bitch.

Before his match, Bad News Barrett has bad news for Rob Van Dam...BNB's taking the Intercontinental title, not RVD!

Bad News Barrett beats Rob Van Dam after interference by Cesaro (and Jack Swagger trying to stop him) to become #1 contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Cesaro attack RVD, but Jack Swagger strikes back at Cesaro. Swagger also goes after RVD, but RVD puts them both out to pasture.

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) plan to take Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton) out this Sunday.

Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton) plan to beat The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) this Sunday.

Ric Flair shows up before Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton. Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton, Ric Flair) is complete for just one night...but Flair endorses The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns), saying they're the future.

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton breaks down into an Evolution (Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton) vs The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) brawl...and Evolution almost stands tall until The Shield rallies back into destruction mode! Triple H nearly gets the three-man power bomb, but he rolls out of the way, ending the show.

Next week: Adam Rose debuts!