Monday Night RAW February 22, 2016
The show began with a video recap of everything that transpired during Fastlane the night before. Several still images showed results for Charlotte vs Alicia Fox, Y2AJ vs The New Day, Kevin Owens vs Wade Barrett, and finally, the madness that was supposed to be Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns. Pictures of Dean Ambrose crashing the party was, unsurprisingly, met with huge cheers from the live audience. To further hype the upcoming show, the opening show opener and pyro set off.
Once the smoke cleared, Mr. McMahon's filled the arena. The song, though as loud and boisterous as the Chairman himself, wasn't nearly as loud as the defeating boos Vince, along with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, received when the trio made their way to the ring.
The camera panned over to the commentary booth. Michael Cole, JBL, and Byron Saxton sat behind the booth for the start of RAW.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the longest-running weekly episodic television show in history, Monday Night RAW," Cole told the camera as it panned across the booth, then back to the three authority figures. "We are nearly twenty-four hours removed from WWE Fastlane, and by God what a night that was."
JBL spoke next. "No, kidding, Maggle. Chaos reared her ugly head last night during the main event between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. Not to mention, we saw the crowning of WWE's first Hardcore Twenty-Four Seven Champion, as well as brand new WWE Tag Team Champions."
"Charlotte retained her Diva's Title as well!" Byron chimed in.
Cole took the lead once again. "But, for right now, we hear from Mr. McMahon. I have no doubt he has a lot to say about the main event last night."
The Chairman of WWE stood center-ring, a tight-lipped sneer over his face. To his left was Triple H, with Stephanie flanking his right. After a moment, several security guards marched to the ring and surrounded the area. Each guard wore protective riot gear and held a nightstick.
Mr. McMahon brought a microphone to his lips. "To be very clear, these men are not out here for me, Stephanie, or Hunter," the gruff old man spoke, seemingly pissing off every fan more just by speaking. "They are out here to protect anyone from interrupting what I have to say. Last night, we were supposed to determine Triple H's opponent for WrestleMania. However, as most of you are aware, that did not happen for multiple reasons. It appears that Dean Ambrose isn't the only problem on our hands anymore..." The mere mention of the Lunatic Fringe's name brought out cheers from the crowd. Vince, an annoyed expression overtaking his serious one, paused for a moment while the crowd cheered.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTHS!" Triple H barked over the speakers, pouring in boos instead of rowdy cheers.
Vince patted a hand against Hunter's shoulder. Triple H looked Vince over, then backed up into his spot behind his father-in-law.
"As I was saying," Vince continued. "Disgruntled former employees are no longer my main concern leading into WrestleMania. Apparently, now I have to worry about... The Undertaker..."
The mention of The Undertaker brought a massive wave of cheers. Stephanie rolled her eyes while Triple H nearly screamed into the mic again. He relented, but only because Vince started speaking again.
"Dammit, that's enough!" Vince yelled, his face turning red with fury. "I want Dean Ambrose arrested, jailed, and thrown in the hole! I want The Undertaker buried under this godforsaken arena! I demanded a Nuber One Contender last night," Vince pointed an accusing finger at Triple H. "And you failed me!"
Triple H, staring down his boss, stood toe-to-toe with Vince following a cold glare. Triple H took a step, bumping chests with Vince. Stephanie pushed herself between her father and husband, separating them for the moment.
"This is not helping anyone," Stephanie said into her own mic. "Don't you get this is what they want? Ambrose wants chaos. Undertaker wants... I don't know what The Undertaker wants. But killing each other isn't going to help us figure this out."
Triple H and Vince both looked at Stephanie as she spoke, then stared at each other when she finished. Hunter nodded his head stiffly, agreeing with his wife's words. Vince straightened the collar on his suit jacket and nodded.
"Ok," Vince agreed. He cleared his throat and continued more calmly. "Dean Ambrose was spotted here earlier. Perhaps if we formally invite him to the ring, we can settle this once and for all. Perhaps, like proper businessmen, we can reach a deal with him... as for The Undertaker..."
Triple H spoke up. "We'll deal with him later. I want Ambrose out here right now. That little shit has been a pain in my ass for too long. If he has something to say, then the floor is his."
Triple H, Vince, and Stephanie all turned towards the entrance ramp. Vince instructed the security team to stand at the ready just in case something happened.
"Here comes the money!"
And something happened indeed. Vince's jaw dropped as his eldest child ran onto the stage, a typhoon of cheers and screams in support of the return of the prodigal son.
"It's Shane McMahon!" Cole called on commentary as the eldest McMahon child shuffled around the stage in the way he only could. "Shane McMahon is back in the WWE!"
Shane McMahon, sweating profusely, strutted his way to the ring with a pop in his step and his head bobbing to his own theme. Stephanie and Vince bore matching expressions of disbelief. Triple H, standing his ground, stared down his brother-in-law. Shane, a cocky smirk on full display, locked eyes with Hunter when he stepped into the ring for the first time since 2009.
Shane looked around at the chanting crowd. Booming "Shane O' Mac" chants filled the Joe Louis Arena. Stephanie, a cheesy and obviously fake smile, stepped forward to offer her brother a hug. Shane stepped back, extending a hand to stop Stephanie in her tracks. Vince frowned at his daughter, then attempted to embrace his son as well. Shane repeated his actions, holding his hand out to stop his dad. Shane took a moment to straighten Vince's tie, earning a few laughs from the audience.
Triple H stepped forward. "What the hell are you doing here?" He rumbled, staring Shane down like he was his most hated rival.
"That's a fair question, Hunter," Shane shot back, unfazed by his brother-in-law's attempts at intimidation. "What the hell am I doing here after almost seven years? What the hell is Shane McMahon doing on Monday Night RAW?"
Vince chuckled dryly. "I don't suppose it's to help us find Dean Ambrose, right?"
Shane blinked, staring at his father with a blank expression. Vince cleared his throat and started again.
"Well... what the hell are you doing here, son?" Vince asked, trying his best to not let his annoyance show.
"Straight to brass tacks, just like always, dad," Shane spoke. "I don't want to waste your time. I know you're a busy man, running this company into the ground and collecting a paycheck like everything's fine. But everything isn't fine, is it, Vince? Everything is not fine. You and she have single-handedly cut the WWE's throat and watched it bleed out since two-thousand seven." Shane pointed a finger at Stephanie as he spoke the last part. "And goddammit, I'm not about to let you stand by and kill what means the world to me."
Stephanie cackled obnoxiously. "Listen, big brother, I don't have any idea what you're referring to. Monday Night RAW-"
"Is in the shit, isn't it?" Shane cut in.
Stephanie fought back a sneer, instead, slapping on a fake smile as per usual. "No, it's not. Our numbers have never been higher."
"Tell that to the plummeting stocks and decreased surface value," Shane said. "Enough of this back and forth with you, Steph. I'm here to talk business with Vince. I think it's obvious why I'm here, right? I'm here to collect my inheritance."
Stephanie cut in again. "What inheritance? You walked away! You don't get anything! Everything goes to me and Hunter, right, dad?"
Vince stayed silent.
"Right, dad?" Stephanie repeated.
Vince stared his son down; Shane returned Vince's glare.
"Dad?" Stephanie finally broke through to her father. "What's he talking about?"
"Allow me," Shane stepped in just before Vince could speak. "A few years ago, before I left, I offered to cut dear ol' dad a deal: I'd hand over my stock and leave as long as the numbers stayed high and viewership didn't waiver. I also promised to keep my mouth shut about somethings tucked away in a lockbox, but it turns out Vince couldn't hold up his side of the bargain. So, long story short, I want control of Monday Night RAW."
Triple H stepped in this time. "Now listen here, you spoiled rich prick. You aren't getting control of anything. I control Monday Night RAW."
"We," Stephanie corrected with a dirty look directed at her husband.
Hunter, Shane, and Stephanie turned their attention to Vince. Mr. McMahon, clearly flustered and not knowing what to say, rubbed his chin as he thought the situation over.
"Well?" Shane pressed.
Vince nodded. "I'll admit. There was a deal we made a few years ago that would secure your spot in line as long as you helped me out. It was up to you to decide when you came back. Well, here you are. I never thought this day would come, but here you are."
"Dad!" Stephanie shouted into the microphone. "You're kidding! You cut a deal with Shane?!"
"I did," Vince confirmed. "I did it for the sake of WWE and RAW and SmackDown and everything under my umbrella. There was a contract and an agreement... however, Shane, you forgot about the one condition in our agreement."
"Have I?" Shane challenged.
"You have," Vince stood in his son's face. "You will get control of Monday Night RAW if, and only if, you are able to earn it."
Shane nodded. "Right. Saving you from bankruptcy isn't enough. There's always a catch."
"The catch is one more match," Vince clarified. "At WrestleMania... against an opponent and stipulation of my choosing..."
"Who's your choice?" Shane asked.
Vince shook his head. "No no no, you don't get to know yet. I'm going to let this stew, let you worry. Make you pace back and forth wondering what I'm going to do to you... because this'll be my last chance... to give you a fucking beating... in your face - on your face..."
Shane, taken slightly aback by his father's words, nodded his head with approval. Instead of speaking, Shane stuck out his right hand. Vince, never breaking eye contact, shook his son's hand. Shane, with his music playing again, rolled out of the ring and returned up the ramp.
Suddenly, Triple H keeled over as one of the security guards leveled him with a nightstick. Vince turned around only to get punted right between the legs. Stephanie screamed in horror, unsure of what just transpired in the last three seconds.
The security guard unsnapped his helmet and revealed his face. Dean Ambrose, hair pasted to his forehead with sweat, stared down Stephanie with such raw intensity that it gave her a chill down her spine. Triple H tried to return fire, but Ambrose dropped him with Diry Deeds.
The security team tried to swarm Ambrose, but the previously fired Superstar fought them off with his nightstick. When the last guard fell, Roman Reigns' sprinted to the ring. Ambrose bolted from ringside into the WWE Universe. Roman, fire in his eyes, screamed at Ambrose to fight him like a man. Ambrose, twirling his nightstick, backed deeper into the crowd amidst cheers in his support.
Following a commercial break, the camera opened on Shane McMahon backstage. Shane had his phone is his hand, texting an unspecified person, while a wave of cheers came in his favor. AJ Styles and Chris Jericho, with their recently won WWE Tag Team Championships around their respective waists, stepped into the shot with more intense cheers.
"Shane McMahon?" Chris Jericho addressed the former authority figure with a grin and half a laugh. "How the hell are ya? It's been... what? Six? Seven years?"
"Good to see you too, Chris," Shane shook hands with Jericho. "And you," Shane shook hands with AJ as well. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
"Likewise, sir," AJ replied.
"I like this tandem," Shane said, waving his hand between Styles and Jericho. "Y2AJ. It's got a great ring to it. Jericho's years in the business and AJ's charisma and show-stealing move set. It's perfect."
Jericho furrowed his brow in confusion. "I'm sorry, but I'm Chris freaking Jericho-"
"I gotta take this," Shane interrupted, stepping out of shot to answer a phone call.
Jericho looked his tag partner up and down. "Charisma and show-stealing move set? I won us these damn titles last night!"
"Sure. You got the pin. After I did all the leg work," AJ fired back.
Jericho scoffed. "All the leg work, junior? Who the hell-"
"Gentlemen?" A producer cut off Jericho, handing him a piece of paper. "This is for you."
Jericho looked over the sheet of paper. Styles watched the producer walk away, then scanned the sheet as well.
"What's it say?" Styles questioned.
"The New Day is challenging us to a Six-Man tag-team match tonight!" Jericho announced, looking off into the distance dramatically.
Styles tried to follow Jericho's line of sight, but abandoned the idea and snapped his fingers in front of Jericho's eyes.
"Six-man? There's two of us," Styles pointed out. "Does this mean we have to find a tag partner?"
Jericho looked over the letter a few more times. "I guess so. Don't worry. I know exactly who we can tag with."
Jericho walked off-screen. Styles stayed back for a moment, slowly shaking his head.
"I am the Phenomenal One," Styles told himself. "I won us these damn titles!"
The camera cut to the Women's locker room. Sasha Banks, with a mixed reaction, was warming up in her wrestling gear. After a moment, Becky Lynch stepped into the shot.
"What?" Sasha snapped, ignoring her friend to stretch out more.
Becky spoke. "Just wanted to say, after we get our hands on Dana Brooke and Emma again tonight, I'm challenging Charlotte fer the Diva's Championship at WrestleMania. But if you screw me again..."
Sasha stopped stretching out. She turned her full attention to Lynch, standing nearly nose-to-nose with her.
"What? What are you gonna do?" Sasha spat. "Because I'm pretty sure I didn't lose to her at the Royal Rumble! Which means you're at the back of the line!"
"Back of the line? Alright, maybe, but yer behind me then, lassie!" Becky shot back.
"Don't 'lassie' me, lassie!" Sasha yelled.
"Don't use me slang against me!" Becky shot back.
Becky and Sasha stared each other down, neither one moving an inch. Just when it appeared they were about to come to blows, Becky held out her fist towards Sasha.
"Best a' luck to you, Sasha," the two girls touched fists.
Becky walked off-screen. Sasha, after watching Becky walk away, rolled her eyes, and went back to her warm-ups.
Kevin Owens successfully retained his Intercontinental title against Stardust in a rematch from Fastlane.
After the match, Stardust stormed backstage. Tom Phillips, waiting in the hallway, waited for Stardust to arrive.
"Stardust," Tom said, making the eccentric Superstar stop in his tracks. "You've lost two title opportunities to Kevin Owens-"
"Don't call me that," Stardust spat, pulling off his gloves and throwing them on the floor. "I'm sick and tired of being a joke around here. From now on... Call me 'Cody'."
Stardust stormed off, leaving more questions unanswered regarding his future.
Following words from the sponsors, the show picked up on Bray Wyatt cackling somewhere deep in a Southern Louisiana swamp. Bray laughed, his head pointed to the heavens with his arms spread out at his sides. Bo Dallas, Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan stood around their leader with rapt attention. A mysterious female figure in a white gown stood just out of camera focus with the WWE Hardcore 24/7 Championship.
"She has brought him back to me," Bray spoke, his voice loud and proud. "She has brought young Bo back to the shelter! Young Bo was so lost for so long; He did not know, he was blinded by sin! Do not punish him, dear Abigail! I shall bring him back into the light!"
The eccentric cult leader stepped down from his perch on a fallen tree. He slowly paced around his circle of followers, his eyes still on the heavens.
"I am very proud of my boys, dear Abigail," Bray spoke calmer than before, but still loud enough to clearly understand each of his words. "We concurred the Royal Rumble, didn't we? We were so close to paradise that I tasted it on my lips! The taste was so sweet but so bitter, Abigail! But I bring you a gift! A gift so wonderful that it's almost as sweet as paradise shall be, isn't it? Young Bo aided me in attaining this gift! As did my other brothers! We will never let you down again, dear Abigail! To you, I swear this declaration!"
Bray pulled his gaze away from the sky, looking at each of his brothers. Bo presented the Hardcore 24/7 Championship to Bray. Bray, a wicked laugh, took the title and threw it over his shoulder.
"Thank you, young Bo!" Bray cackled. "For this, dear Abigail praises you! She has so much for you in store!" Bray's face turned to stone. His voice grew low and gravely. "Let her in, Bo..."
"I have," whispered Bo.
The signature Wyatt jumpscare ended the video promo.
The camera shifted to Becky Lynch making her entrance. Already in the ring were Dana Brooke and Emma, both prime and ready for a rematch against Lynch and Sasha Banks.
Banks' music filled the arena, bringing the fans to their feet.
"It's Boss time!" Cole cried, possibly shattering poor Byron's eardrums in the act. "Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are willing to put their differences aside one more time to get their revenge on the rising duo of Emma and Dana Brooke."
Sasha joined Becky at the bottom of the entrance ramp. Lynch threw her partner a dirty look but extended her fist again. Sasha, shaking her head disapprovingly, touched knuckles with the Irishwoman again. Becky and Sasha then rushed the ring and brought the fight to Dana and Emma right away.
The match was physical and surprisingly back and forth. Sasha used her speed and technical skill to stay on top of Dana's strength and agility. Becky blind tagged herself into the match multiple times, further angering Sasha. Becky looked to slap on the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission win, but Emma and Dana both fought out of it before it was too late.
Towards the end, Becky hit an Exploder Suplex into her corner. When Becky looked to capitalize, Sasha tagged herself in. Becky cursed at Sasha, but the referee forced Lynch to leave. Instead of returning to the apron, Becky stormed from the ring and back up the entrance ramp.
Sasha, now left vulnerable, didn't see a stiff forearm from Dana coming when her back was turned. Dana spun Sasha around, lifted her for a Powerbomb, then slammed her down with so much force that the Boss bounced in the air. Dana hooked Sasha's ankles over her shoulders and forced a leverage pin for the 1-2-3.
Dana and Emma raised each other's arms, now officially 2-0 over Sasha and Becky. Just as the celebrating was becoming unbearable, Brock Lesnar's music suddenly kicked in. Emma and Dana both bolted from the ring.
Brock Lesnar, flanked close behind by Paul Heyman, marched to the ring with purpose. Sasha Banks rolled out of the ring just as Brock stepped through the ropes, narrowly missing a confrontation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have a teeny, tiny, little freaking problem with the way things are run around here," Paul spoke, his voice full of fire and venom. "Last night, when my client, Brock Lesnar, was set to face Roman Reigns in one-on-one competition, a certain Lunatic Fringe and a certain Deadman stuck their nose in business that didn't concern them. Now, normally, I would let loose my beast and have him tear every WWE Superstar limb from limb until The Undertaker and Dean Ambrose lay victimized and slaughtered before their families, but that's not the way we're condoning business tonight. My client, the rightful Number One Contender Brock Lesnar, is here looking for a fight. We give management until the end of the night to find my client a fight before I do decide to let him loose on every unfortunate soul in that locker room. Don't like it? Don't care. Brock Lesnar wants to fight, HE. WILL. FIGHT!"
Paul dropped the mic. He tapped his wristwatch, screaming into the mic about how the people in charge didn't have a lot of time left.
Backstage in the trainer's room, Stephanie McMahon was watching a monitor. She turned away, shaking her head slowly. Triple H, holding his ribs, sat on an observation table.
"How is he?" Stephanie asked.
"Nothing's broken. He should recover nicely," the trainer explained.
Becky Lynch stormed into the room. "I want Charlotte at WrestleMania!" She demanded.
"We are dealing with other matters right now," Stephanie fired back. "If we don't get this Dean Ambrose situation under control, we might not even have a WrestleMania. Besides, you lost your tag match tonight. Why should you get a title shot?"
"Because I'm the only Diva around here worth a damn!" Becky yelled.
Stephanie pointed at the door. "Leave. Now. Or I'll have you fined. I'll figure out something about the Diva's Championship later."
Becky, still displeased, stormed from the room.
Triple H sat up on the observation table.
"How are you feeling?" Stephanie asked her husband.
"I have an idea about our Ambrose problem," Triple H revealed, wincing a bit as he spoke. "He wants to be a pain in the ass? Fine. We'll give him what he wants."
"Hunter-"
"We'll give him what he wants," Triple H repeated, this time more sternly. "Find your father. I need to discuss this with him."
Stephanie left the room. Triple H, wincing in pain again, stood up from the trainer's table. Roman Reigns, met with a chorus of boos, walked up to his boss.
"You needed to see me?" Roman asked.
Triple H nodded. "Stay close. I'll need you soon."
Roman nodded his head, standing guard while Triple H sat back down.
After the commercial break, The League of Nations stood outside the trainer's room. Barrett, Rusev, and Sheamus talked amongst each other. After a moment, Del Rio walked into the shot.
"Where is my title?" Del Rio demanded.
"You had it," Rusev said.
"I know I did," Del Rio pointed at a production crate. "It was right there! Where is it?"
The League of Nations fell into an argument with themselves. Cesaro, who was met with a mixed reaction from the audience, stepped into the shot with Del Rio's United States title.
"I believe this belongs to you." Cesaro handed Del Rio his title back.
"You got a problem, fella?" Sheamus spat, stepping up to Cesaro.
"No, but..." Cesaro held up a sheep mask. "I think someone else might. I found this next to your title."
Rusev, Sheamus, Barrett, and Del Rio all exchanged worried glances. Cesaro threw the mask down and stomped it to pieces. Cesaro, with a smirk, walked off-screen.
"I like him," Rusev admitted, earning a few agreements from his teammates.
Six-Man tag-team action saw The New Day venture to the ring to face Y2AJ and a mystery third man. Styles made his entrance, then Jericho, then, to a loud pop from the live audience, Neville arrived to join Jericho and Styles in action.
After a hard-fought back and forth match, Styles and Jericho hit their Pele Kick-Codebreaker combo, followed by the Red Arrow from Neville onto Xavier Woods.
During the celebration, Jericho held both titles over his head and smugly stood in front of his partners, soaking in all the glory for himself. Styles swiped away his half of the championship. Neville, sick of hearing the two others bicker, rolled out of the ring and left the area.
Following one more commercial break, Triple H made his entrance with Roman Reigns, Vince, and Stephanie McMahon following him from behind. Triple H bore an expression that told everyone within sight that he was not about to cut a deal with Dean Ambrose. He meant business, and he was ready to start a brawl if he had to settle said business.
Triple H stood center-ring, his suit slightly torn after Ambrose's attack earlier. He paused for a moment, taking in the boos like it was fueling his anger.
"We have several pieces of business to take care of right now," Triple H spoke, unnervingly calm in his delivery. "First and foremost, the pest known as Dean Ambrose... Ambrose, get your ass out here now if you know what's good for you."
Ambrose's music did kick in, but instead of arriving on the stage, he showed up at the top of the arena within the WWE Universe. Triple H looked for him, then spotted him.
"Ambrose, I think it's safe to say that you want a piece of me, right?" Triple H said. "I fired you. Fired that little girlfriend of yours. Took the WWE title away from you. Had you arrested and a list of other things. I can have you arrested again, right now if I wanted, but that's not what I want... what I want, is to give you what you want. You want a match against me? You got it, kid..."
The crowd let loose. Ambrose, a wide-mouthed grin on his face, shook his head and spewed insults at his (former) employer. Triple H waited for the noise to die down before he continued speaking.
"If..." Triple H said, drawing the word out a little as he thought his next sentence over. "You can beat Roman Reigns in two weeks at WWE Roadblock..."
"Easy peasy!" Ambrose yelled with a laugh.
Triple H continued speaking. "You see, your WWE contract is still valid until it expires. I can re-hire you the moment the referee counts one-two-three. But you don't deserve to get off that easy. Your WWE contract, Renee Young's WWE contract, and the WWE Championship match against me at WrestleMania will be suspended above the ring in a briefcase. And just to make sure there's no outside interference, this match will take place inside a Steel Cage. And just in case you aren't catching my drift, this will be a Ladder match!"
"A ladder match inside a steel cage!?" Bryon exclaimed on commentary.
"Here comes the money!"
Shane McMahon, skipping to the beat of his music, made his way down to the ring for the second time in the night. Triple H took a step back to let Vince address his son.
"That's a pretty neat stipulation you got there, Trips," Shane praised sarcastically. He pointed to Ambrose in the crowd. "Steel Cage Ladder match. I'm rooting for you, Ambrose!" He cleared his throat. "Now... I believe we have more business-"
Brock Lesnar's music suddenly blared through the speakers. Brock, running to the ring, was followed closely by Paul Heyman. Brock slid into the ring, then threw Shane McMahon on his shoulders and delivered a ring-shaking F5.
"We do have more business," Paul confirmed. "It appears that last night, when The Undertaker ruined the main event of yet another pay-per-view, someone let him into the building beforehand, right? Do you have any idea who that could be, Shane-O?"
Shane lay on the mat, clutching at his ribs. Brocks stared down at Shane like he may tear his arms off at any moment.
"Security footage shows something that really chilled me to the bone, Shane," Paul guided focus to the titantron. A video showed Shane McMahon sneaking into the backstage area to open a backdoor. The Undertaker moved into the shot, stared Shane down for a moment, then walked off, apparently to interfere with the main event. Paul continued speaking. "Care to explain yourself, Shane?"
Shane staggered to his feet, using the ropes to keep himself upright.
"Screw you!" Shane screamed at Paul and Brock. "Neither of you deserved to be WWE Champion!"
Brock lifted Shane on his shoulders again and hit another F5. Vince, staring down at his son's battered body, held the microphone to his lips.
"Your opponent for WrestleMania," said Vince, staring a hole in Shane. "Will be Brock Lesnar... in a Last Man Standing match!"
A gong sounded in the arena as the lights went out. A moment later, they turned back on. The Undertaker stood center-ring, his hand wrapped around Vince McMahon's throat. Brock, Paul, Stephanie, and Triple H stood outside the ring. Shane still laid sprawled on the canvas. Right as it looked like Undertaker might Chokeslam Vince, Roman Reigns took a running charge and Speared Undertaker.
Roman, his music playing over a chorus of boos, found Ambrose in the crowd. The show-ending graphic appeared on screen as the camera panned to show Ambrose, still withing the WWE Universe, holding up both middle fingers to those still standing near and inside the ring.