On July 27, 2015, WWE Raw aired live from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, delivering dramatic moments that left fans stunned. The episode featured a significant Summerslam announcement, a brutal main event between John Cena and Seth Rollins, and several first-time matchups that marked new chapters in <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE history. The WWE Raw 2015 major highlights centered around intense rivalries, shocking physicality, and surprising twists that shaped the brand’s summer storyline.
Summerslam Extended and First-Time Matchups Unveiled
The show began with a video package highlighting The Undertaker’s return and his chokeslam of Brock Lesnar at Battleground, setting an ominous tone. Triple H, accompanied by Stephanie McMahon and Seth Rollins, opened the show but received a lukewarm reaction from the audience. Triple H announced that Summerslam 2015 would be expanded from three to four hours, promising an event larger than ever before. This drew polite applause from the crowd.
Stephanie and Triple H touted numerous first-ever matches to take place, such as Big Show versus Dean Ambrose, Paige facing Sasha Banks, and Kevin Owens battling Randy Orton. They also announced a tag team bout: Alicia Fox and Nikki Bella versus Becky Lynch and Charlotte. However, the announcements lacked the typical storyline buildup, delivering the matches with limited hype or context.
Seth Rollins Challenges John Cena With High Stakes
Seth Rollins then took center stage and demanded recognition as potentially one of the greatest WWE World Heavyweight Champions ever. His challenge was interrupted by John Cena’s entrance, who harshly criticized Rollins’s claims and called him a “jackass” and a “joke.” Cena suggested a World Championship match against Rollins to settle the debate.
Rollins responded dismissively, telling Cena to “shut the hell up” and insisting that he must earn the title shot. Stephanie McMahon, attempting to engage fans, asked the audience if they wanted to see Cena versus Seth. She then unexpectedly denied their wishes, denying Cena an immediate title opportunity and stating he must earn it first. Triple H concurred, explaining that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would not be defended that night, but instead Cena would challenge Rollins for the U.S. Championship. Triple H concluded,
“Because that is what’s best for business,”
demonstrating the storyline authority’s disregard for fan desires.
Backstage Tensions Ignite Between Women of WWE Divas Division
Before the second hour started, a backstage confrontation erupted between two factions in the Divas Division. Paige, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch praised their division’s progress, only to be confronted by Naomi, Sasha Banks, and Tamina, who challenged their claims to dominance. Paige asserted her legacy, while Sasha Banks countered with past title losses, fueling disrespect and hostility.
High-Stakes Women’s Match Showcases Sasha Banks Versus Paige
The third bout of the night featured Sasha Banks, joined by Naomi and Tamina, facing Paige alongside Charlotte and Becky Lynch. Leading into the match, a segment highlighted Lynch’s “Boss” persona and accomplishments in NXT, emphasizing the competitive stakes. The match witnessed intense action, including Paige knocking Banks to ringside and performing a high-risk dive on Naomi and Tamina.
After a chaotic ringside altercation during a commercial break, Banks applied her signature submission, the Bank Statement, forcing Paige to tap out. Michael Cole hailed Banks’s victory as a major turning point, while JBL acknowledged why she earned the nickname “The Boss.” Banks’s win at 13:56 was widely praised for its storytelling and pacing, underscoring WWE’s investment in women’s wrestling.
Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper Deliver a Dark, Cryptic Promo
As the third hour approached, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper entered the ring for a disturbing and symbolic segment. Wyatt delivered a cryptic message to the audience, claiming that many adults lie about the safety of the world, encouraging viewers to “transcend and be set free.” He shared a personal story of loyalty and pain involving a dog, drawing a parallel to Harper, whom he described as a “damaged man” he helped redeem.
Harper spoke of feeling lost until Wyatt showed him a new path and blamed fans for rejecting him. Wyatt then ominously warned Roman Reigns about impending danger, dismissing Reigns’s bond with Dean Ambrose and urging Ambrose to avoid their conflict at all costs. Wyatt concluded with his haunting catchphrase, “Follow the buzzard!”, leaving a chilling impression.
Cena and Rollins Build Tension Before Their Brutal U.S. Title Match
In the closing phase, backstage interviews added fuel to the upcoming main event fire. Renee Young probed Rollins about his chances, to which Rollins confidently responded by asserting he would prove Cena is a relic of the past. Cena, meanwhile, emphasized the significance of the U.S. Championship, saying it symbolizes competitive excellence and pledged to “shock the world” if he could overcome the champion.
John Cena Battling Through a Devastating Broken Nose Against Seth Rollins
The U.S. Title match between Seth Rollins and John Cena began with a highly physical and intense exchange. Seth dominated early, while Cena fought back, eliciting cheers from the fans. During the match, Rollins struck Cena’s nose with a knee, causing it to bleed profusely. The referee and ringside doctor checked on Cena, who showed remarkable resilience despite the severity of his injury.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, featuring a Springboard Stunner from Cena and a top-rope superplex from Rollins. Cena executed a Michinoku Driver and later locked in the STF submission, forcing Rollins to tap out after 17 minutes and 3 seconds. The match stood out for its raw realism and Cena’s persistence despite a visibly broken and displaced nose, a moment fans remembered vividly for years.
Post-match, a doctor attended to Cena’s bleeding nose as Cena assured he was “okay,” though the toll was evident. Commentary praised the match’s storytelling and the physical challenges faced by Cena. The decision to not conceal Cena’s injury added to the emotional weight of the encounter.
Supporting Matches Deliver Drama and Physicality Across the Card
The earlier matches offered a variety of intense contests. The Big Show won via countout against Dean Ambrose after a fierce battle, concluding with Ambrose being speared into the barricade. Neville beat Fandango quickly with his high-flying Red Arrow move, asserting his dominance against a wandering rival. The Lucha Dragons overcame Los Matadores following an interruption by the New Day faction, who mocked Titus O’Neil.
Charlotte and Becky Lynch teamed up to defeat Team Bella in a chaotic bout, climaxing with Lynch forcing Brie Bella to submit. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton had a brutal backstage-fueled match with several reversals and outside interference, including Sheamus’s Brogue Kick resulting in Owens’s disqualification. Cesaro’s surprise run-in further intensified the scene, leaving the audience anticipating future confrontations.
Entertaining Side Segments Add Flavor Amidst High-Stakes Battles
Outside the ring, Rusev’s bizarre display of affection for Summer Rae offered comedic relief, featuring a dramatic presentation of a dog named “Dog Ziggler” and a dead fish, escalating a tense love triangle with Lana. Lana’s fierce return included physical retribution against Rusev and Summer, highlighting personal rivalries alongside the athletic competition.
Commercial breaks promoted upcoming WWE Network content, such as the return of the Stone Cold Podcast with Paige and a special tribute to the Kliq, featuring Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and X-Pac—though commentary notably referred to X-Pac by his real name, Waltman. Additionally, Brock Lesnar’s announced Raw appearance for the following week built anticipation, while WWE extensively advertised the Network, cleverly associating it with major streaming platforms to highlight its value without focusing on price.
The Broader Impact of WWE Raw 2015 and What Lies Ahead
This edition of WWE Raw marked a pivotal moment in the brand’s summer narrative by combining headline-grabbing announcements with brutally physical matches that tested the limits of performer endurance. The expansion of Summerslam from three to four hours suggested WWE’s commitment to delivering a monumental pay-per-view, while the confrontation between Cena and Rollins foreshadowed a heated rivalry with real emotional stakes.
The women’s division continued to gain momentum, with Sasha Banks’s victory signaling a changing of the guard. Meanwhile, the Authority’s control over match decisions highlighted ongoing power struggles within WWE storylines, leaving fans frustrated yet captivated. The brutal physicality, unexpected disruptions, and character-driven segments demonstrated WWE’s blend of entertainment and sports drama that continues to engage its audience.
As the summer progressed, viewers expected these story arcs to evolve at Summerslam and beyond, with Brock Lesnar’s upcoming Raw appearance promising further upheaval. WWE Raw 2015 major highlights served both as a showcase of talent and a stage for storytelling that would shape the company’s direction in the months to come.
