WWE Raw Results For 10/22/2018: Tag Team Title Match, Roman Reigns Reveals Leukemia Diagnosis & A Friendship Dissolves

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– WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring to start the show, Reigns says he feels like he owes everybody an apology. Reigns says a lot of what he said in the last year was lies, Reigns says his real name is Joe and he has been battling leukemia for eleven years and it is back. Since the leukemia is back, it will force Reigns to have to give up the WWE Universal Championship to battle the disease. Reigns says he first started battling leukemia when he was 22 years old, Reigns says the WWE gave him a chance after battling leukemia. Reigns credits the WWE Universe for making his dreams come true, Reigns thanks everybody for their support during the course of his career.  

Reigns says that life isn’t fair sometimes and it throws you a curve ball, Reigns says he isn’t retiring and he will return after beating leukemia again. Reigns says he will come back to show everybody that when life throws curve balls, that he will swing for the fences every time. Reigns says he will beat the disease and will be back very soon, Reigns places the WWE Universal Title in the ring before exiting to head backstage. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins meet Reigns on top of the stage and they all embrace, they do The Shield pose one more time.

Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley w/Lio Rush

The match begins with Lashley dropping Balor with a kick to the midsection, Lashley then hits Balor with a few more strikes followed by a slam. Lashley holds Balor down and he twists away on his head, Balor breaks free and he knocks Lashley out of the ring with a drop kick. Rush distracts Balor and Balor chases him outside the ring until Lashley drops him with a clothesline as we go to a commercial break, we return from the break to see Lashley applying the nerve hold to a downed Balor. Balor gets free and Lashley quickly drops him with a right, Lashley continues attacking him with more strikes. Lashley goes for a sunset flip and Balor gets free to land a basement drop kick, Balor continues attacking Lashley before landing a double stomp.

Lashley catches a leaping Balor and hits him with a Samoan drop for a near fall, Lashley goes for a delayed vertical suplex and Balor escapes top land a sling blade. Balor leaps off the top rope and Lashley clobbers him with a clothesline, Lashley goes for the Dominator and Balor rolls through and catches Lashley with a roll up for the three count.

Winner: Finn Balor

– Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre are talking in the locker room about what McIntyre did to Braun Strowman last week, Ziggler says they need to keep an eye out for Strowman tonight and McIntyre tells Ziggler not to worry because he is going monster hunting.

Sasha Banks w/Baylay & Natalya vs. Ruby Riott w/Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan

The match begins with Riott and Banks doing some chain wrestling, Riott then drops Banks with a shoulder tackle. Riott applies a headlock to Banks and Banks gets free before dropping Riott with a shoulder tackle, Banks trips up Riott before landing a double knee strike for a near fall. Morgan and Logan distract Banks so Riott can gain control, Banks fights back and Riott nails her with more strikes before choking her on the middle rope. Banks then takes Riott down with a rope assisted arm drag, Banks then knocks Riott to the arena floor. Banks looks for a suicide dive before getting into a stand off with the Riott Squad on the arena floor, Banks gets Riott back in the ring and Riott knocks her to the arena floor as we go to a commercial break.

We return from the break to see Banks fighting back against Riott, Riott then drops a charging Banks with an STO for a near fall. Riott would then apply the kravat to a downed Banks, Banks gets free and she sends Riott into the middle turnbuckle before landing a knee strike. Banks follows that up by nailing Riott with a series of clotheslines, Banks then hits a cornered Riott with a running double knee strike. Banks keeps the momentum going by hitting Riott with a top rope double knee strike, Banks looks for the Bank Statement as a brawl breaks out between everybody on the arena floor. Riott hits a distracted Banks with a Riott Kick for the three count.

Winner: Ruby Riott w/Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan

– A video package airs highlight the Brothers Of Destruction’s message for Degeneration X from last weeks Raw.

– Nia Jax says that WWE Evolution will prove that women can do anything, Jax says she will win the battle royal on Sunday to get another shot at the Raw Women’s Title.

– Degeneration X makes their way to the ring to address the Brothers Of Destruction, HHH says that a lot of big words have been thrown around as of late. HHH says fear didn’t keep Shawn Michaels retired or HHH in the board room, HBK says that nostalgia is just another way of saying things are old. HHH says nostalgia just means that they are better, HHH says the X in DX meant that they are better than everybody and that everybody had to watch out. HHH says DX is coming to kick some ass at WWE Crown Jewel, the gong sounds and a video airs on the big screen showing the Brothers Of Destruction.

They says that the DX reunion will prove to be their total annihilation, ‘Taker says HHH and HBK should’ve stayed away. Kane says that DX cannot survive the Brothers Of Destruction, ‘Taker says the match at WWE Crown jewel will be their last. They says that DX will never rest in peace when they own the souls of HHH and HBK.

– It has been revealed that Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar will battle at WWE Crown Jewel for the vacant WWE Universal Championship.

– Paul Heyman is shown backstage.

– Dana Brooke cuts a promo saying she has been cast over way to long before saying she’ll win the battle royal at WWE Evolution.

– Paul Heyman is in the ring and he says that his thoughts and prayers are with Roman Reigns, Heyman says it is humbling to have been in the presence of courage and greatness tonight. Heyman says that the WWE Universal Title deserves the best that the champions have to offer it, Heyman says the WWE Universe needs to know that whomever the WWE Universal Champion is will be the best. Heyman says the WWE Universal Title will move onto WWE Crown Jewel when Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman battle for that title, Heyman says that Strowman will not win the title at WWE Crown Jewel because Brock Lesnar will. Heyman says that Strowman isn’t in Lesnar’s league, Strowman eventually interrupts and makes his way to the stage.

Strowman says Heyman needs to tell Lesnar about the whipping he’ll get at WWE Crown Jewel, Strowman says that Reigns will get a title shot when he beats leukemia. Drew McIntyre appears out of nowhere and he nails Strowman with a Claymore Kick.

– Drew McIntyre is approached by Dolph Ziggler backstage, Charly Caruso interrupts and asks McIntyre about repercussions for attacking Braun Strowman. McIntyre says he isn’t worried and says that Strowman needed them more than they needed him.

– Elias is in the ring and he plays the guitar for a few moments, Elias asks everybody “who wants to walk with Elias?” Elias says he has written a song when Apollo Crews interrupts for their match.

Elias vs. Apollo Crews

The match begins with Crews dropping Elias with a shoulder tackle, Crews then nails a charging Elias with a drop kick before applying a headlock. Crews then sends Elias out of the ring before nailing him with a moonsault from the ring apron as we go to a commercial break, we return from the break to see Elias holding Crews in a chin lock. Crews gets free and he nails Elias with an enzaguri followed by a kick to the head, Crews then drops Elias with a flying clothesline followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall. Crews follows that up by catching Elias in a Samoan drop for another near fall, Elias sends Crews out of the ring to hit him with a knee strike when he re-enters. Elias then hits Crews with Drift Away for the three count.

Winner: Elias

– Kurt Angle cuts a promo and says its tough to accept that he cannot perform in the ring the same way that he used to, Angle says that he wants to prove how good he still is by winning the WWE World Cup. Angle also shares his thoughts on all the other wrestlers competing in the tournament.

– Elias is now on stage and he announces that he has decided to come back to play a song, Acting Raw GM Corbin interrupts and he says the show needs to keep on going. Elias insists on performing anyway and Corbin says his stuff is more important that what Elias is doing, Corbin then says he would fire Elias if it were up to him. Elias says he still wants to sing and he tells Corbin to shut up, Elias starts performing and he calls Corbin a puppet for Stephanie McMahon. Corbin has the audio cut to Elias and his guitar, Corbin sends Elias away and Elias returns a few moments later to attack Corbin with his guitar.

– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is shown walking backstage.

– Michael Cole is in the ring for the Raw Women’s Title Match contract signing for WWE Evolution, Nikki and Brie Bella come to the ring first. Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is brought to the ring next, the Bella Twins high tail it out of the ring and Nikki says they are here for a contract signing only. Rousey promises that nothing will happen until WWE Evolution, the Bella Twins get back in the ring and continue mocking Rousey on the microphone. Nikki talks about all the alleged broken promises that Rousey made to her mother, Nikki claims that Rousey’s mom is already ashamed of her. Nikki then signs the contract before slapping Rousey, Rousey smiles before signing the contract and then she tells Nikki that she is going to end her at WWE Evolution.

– Charly Caruso interviews Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, Ambrose says no words can describe what he is feeling about the Roman Reigns situation. Rollins echoes what was said by Ambrose said and then says they will win the Raw Tag Team Championships tonight.

Nia Jax vs. Tamina vs. Dana Brooke vs. Ember Moon

The match begins with Jax attacking Moon and Brooke, Jax and Tamina go face to face until the other participants jump them. Brooke goes after Moon and she rolls her up for a near fall, Brooke then attacks everybody until Jax stops her. Jax nails Brooke with a slam before taking her out with a somersault, Jax misses a charge in the corner and Tamina attacks her with a bunch of strikes. Jax then hits Tamina with an avalanche, Tamina nails Jax with a super kick from out of nowhere before eating an Eclipse from Moon for the three count.

Winner: Ember Moon

– Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler are shown backstage.

– Titus O’Neil is on the stage for a presentation for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

– Charly Caruso interviews Trish Stratus & Lita, Stratus says what Mickie James and Alexa Bliss aren’t want the women’s evolution is about. Lita says that they will come out on top at WWE Evolution, Alicia Fox interrupts and says that Alexa and Mickie will win at WWE Evolution. James jumps Stratus and Lita from behind, the attack continues until WWE officials break it up. Stratus and Lita return to get revenge on James and Fox.

Raw Tag Team Title Match
Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. The Shield (Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose)

The match begins with McIntyre attacking Ambrose with a few strikes, Rollins tags in and he double teams McIntyre alongside Ambrose. Ziggler hits the ring and is promptly knocked out of it as we go to a commercial break, we return from the break to see Ambrose dropping Ziggler across the top rope. Rollins tags in and he cleans house against the opposing team, Rollins then takes out McIntyre with a suicide dive. Rollins knocks Ziggler out of the ring and he takes both opponents out with a suicide dive, Rollins gets Ziggler in the ring before going to the top rope. McIntyre knocks Rollins off the ropes and Ziggler lands a Fame Asser for a near fall, McIntyre tags in and he stomps away on a downed Rollins. Ziggler tags in an he applies the chin lock to a downed Rollins, Rollins gets free and he nails Ziggler with a back suplex.

McIntyre tags in and he has a striking exchange until Rollins drops him with an enzaguri, Ziggler interferes and Rollins sends him out of the ring. McIntyre attacks Rollins and Rollins knocks him out of the ring with a super kick, McIntyre and Ziggler attack Ambrose on the arena floor. McIntyre then hits Rollins with an inverted Alabama Slam as we go to a commercial break, we return from the break to see Ambrose attacking McIntyre as they battle on the top rope. McIntyre misses a top rope clothesline as Rollins tags into land a frog splash for a near fall, Ambrose takes out Ziggler with a suicide dive. Rollins goes back up to the top rope and McIntyre crotches him before following him up there, Rollins crotches McIntyre and hangs him upside down. McIntyre still manages to propel Rollins off the ropes before getting attacked by Ambrose, Ziggler knocks Ambrose out of the ring and throws him into the barricade.

Ziggler goes to the top rope after tagging in and Rollins nails him with a superplex followed by a falcon arrow for a near fall, Ziggler fights back and Rollins goes for a buckle bomb. McIntyre prevents that from happening and Ziggler eventually throws Rollins into the ring post before landing a Zig Zag for a near fall, Braun Strowman comes out as the referee and everybody else gets taken out. Strowman and McIntyre brawl and it quickly spills into the crowd, Ziggler grabs a title belt and he brings it into the ring. Ambrose prevents him from using it and Rollins lands a curb stomp for the three count.

Winners: The Shield (Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose), your new Raw Tag Team Champions

After the match, Dean Ambrose attacks Seth Rollins and nails him with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose continues attacking Rollins and that attack spills to the outside of the ring, Ambrose then throws the tag title belts at Rollins. Ambrose then hits Rollins with a Dirty Deeds on the exposed arena floor, Ambrose then exits through the crowd.