This match [SOUND] may not be for the title but it's a perfect opportunity for
Bobby Roode to get it apart for the championship as he looks for
the glorious DDT early on.
>> I'm actually- >> Go ahead, coach.
>> Despite the bait and switches,
this would be a great opportunity- >> Bait and switch it was simply
assumption, everyone just assumed that the championship was on the line.
I actually have a great deal of respect for what Dolph Ziggler is doing.
>> We play back to date Bobby said I came out here challenging for
the Intercontinental Title, Dolph said, yeah you're on, let's go.
>> Dolph said if you want a match you gonna have a match.
>> We assumed it was for the Intercontinental-
>> You know what happens when you assume,
Jonathan?
>> Well, that really doesn't matter because it's not for the title,
it's one on one.
But a win for Roode would put him in the driver's seat for a future opportunity.
And a lot of what Bobby Roode said here tonight is absolutely true.
If it wasn't for
McIntyre last night, Dolph wouldn't be the Intercontinental Champion today.
>> Seth Rollins got out to a three on nil last night, it was dominated before
McIntyre got involved, assaulted Rollins ,allowed Dolph to climb back into things.
And then in sudden death, MacIntyre pretty much ended Ziggler the victory.
>> The one thing I did like about what Dolph Ziggler had to say that for
17 years, the Intercontinental Title may have invented a pay per view.
I don't think anybody can argue that it absolutely should have may invented
Extreme Rules.
>> Two signal back off.
>> Come on.
>> Outta the, [CROSSTALK] >> Let's say a clean break didn't happen.
>> At that point coach,
I mean you gotta give a lot of that credit to guys like The Miz,
guys like Seth Rollins who restored the Intercontinental Championship,
such an illustrious position over the past few years.
>> Yes, Seth Rollins, the man who came out here with these open challenges each and
every week, one of the reasons that Ziggler would end up winning
the championship, and now Dolph Ziggler, a six times Intercontinental Champion.
Only two men have held it more times in their career, The Miz and Chris Jericho.
>> I respect the open challenges and
I respect the staff that even Dolph is all about but they've gotta be smart.
They've gotta understand it's about the big night, the big matches,
the big payday.
>> But here tonight, this is a very critical match and
a very critical moment in the career of Bobby Roode, to come out here tonight and
challenge the Intercontinental Champion.
He sees what's going on around him, Corey,
the Triple Threat Matches tonight to his people jockey for position for
a Universal Championship opportunity important night tonight for Roode.
>> I completely agree with you and
I think it's a great decision by Bobby Roode to issue this challenge.
I've got a lot of respect for what Bobby has accomplished here in WWE, but
Bobby knows, it's a what have you done for me lately situation.
>> And Roode, former United States Champion over on
SmackDown of course a former NXT Champion as well.
>> I'm sure Bobby saw how- >> Wow.
My goodness, Ziggler hit hard.
>> Now Dolph Ziggler approach the last what, three, four weeks?
And he says if Dolph Ziggler can make his opportunity, and
make the Intercontinental Title come to him,
that certainly maybe I can do the same thing.
>> The official now begins to count as Dolph Ziggler tries to
crawl his way back into the ring.
And the glorious one Bobby Roode though not going to wait for that to happen.
He's gonna take the fight to the Intercontinental Champion.
>> There's no way Dolph Ziggler is feeling 100% tonight after a gruelling
Ironman match with Seth Rollins.
>> Four.
>> I agree with you on that point, Corey, it was a hell of a battle and
incredible main event last night at Extreme Rules.
>> I don't know how many superstars there are.
>> Dolph Ziggler with his veteran instincts.
>> On planet Earth, they could have, [CROSSTALK]
>> Right to the face of Roode.
And Dolph Ziggler buying himself some time to regroup here.
Here's the cover, hooks the inside leg and Roode kick out at two.
>> [NOISE] >> I have a little bit of extra
respect for Dolph Ziggler after last night.
I mean, figure if it's for the boxing championship fight you go through all 12
rounds, the commissioner can't just add a 13th round like Angle did last night.
>> And there we go, and
another drop kick by Dolph Ziggler right to the face of Bobby Roode.
>> And Seth Rollins went through the same exact thing that Ziggler did.
Seth will be competing later on tonight in a Triple Threat against Lashley and
Alias for an opportunity to meet Roman Reigns next week.
>> Look well, I think to Corey is point,
instead of being upset that the match continued, he adjusted.
He adjust the game plan and it only took a couple of seconds, yes, but
he was ready to go.
He was ready to cover.
>> Talking about Ziggler of course >> Yeah.
>> And Dolph Ziggler now looks to put this one away.
Here's the cover on Roode hooks the leg and Bobby kicks out at two.
Dolph Ziggler, a tremendous resume.
One of the best superstars of the past 10 -15 years here in WWE.
I don't think there's any arguing about that, he's a multiple time World Champion.
And Bobby Roode delivers a right of his own and then a chop and
Roode fighting back into this match.
>> Roode still looking to add to his list of accolades here in WWE.
They also have to think it's not just about the-
>> Clothesline by Roode.
>> Not just about the Universal Championship, so
many superstars backstage today.
We're talking about SummerSlam and
the fact that now we're flat out on the journey on the Roode, one of the big four.
>> Bobby Roode now face- first into the turnbuckle,
Dolph is trying to take control of this as this match continues live.
>> And we're back live on Monday Night RAW.
Dolph Ziggler, Bobby Roode impromptu matchup here tonight, not for
the Intercontinental Championship but a critical match for Roode as he jockeys for
position to get a title opportunity.
>> What you're seeing right now is Dolph Ziggler employing one of the very same
tactics that served him so well last night in the Iron Man match.
>> Got the rear chinlock apply just wearing Bobby Roode down without
exerting too much energy.
>> Yeah, and Iron Man match last night 30 minutes, it was absolutely incredible.
I mean, the the ebbs and flows in that match,
the way that Dolph Ziggler settled things down to really
take control of separate moments there was just incredible.
>> Yeah, I think Dolph is showing us tonight just exactly what he has
left in the tank.
And it's a lot.
>> [NOISE] >> And Bobby Roode looking to fight back
into this important night for the glorious one as well.
Bobby Roode who of course- >> My goodness.
>> Monday Night RAW from SmackDown Live in the superstar shake up a few months ago.
Looking to find his footing here on Monday night.
And now Ziggler to the sleeper hold,
which we thought was gonna take out Seth on a number of occasions last night, but
Roode able to create separation and follow up with a clothesline.
>> Roode knew he was in jeopardy without, well, Ziggler utilize the sleeper hold.
Bobby Roode starting to build some momentum but here comes Ziggler.
No, what a slam?
>> Let's be honest guys.
This was as smart as you could get if you're Bobby Roode.
You know he was sitting around all day thinking, you know what?
Dolph Ziggler isn't a 100%.
I can go out show the WWE Universe and
everybody else how great I am against a champion that is not a 100%.
>> Not great, coach, he's glorious.
>> [NOISE] >> And
Roode splashing Ziggler into the corner looking for a bulldog,
sent into the corner by Ziggler, follows it up with double boots to the face.
And now Bobby Roode with a Blockbuster off the second rope.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> And
Roode firing up this WWE Universe crowd here tonight in Buffalo.
>> I gotta give them a lot of credit.
This crowd has been red hot since the jump.
>> Bobby Roode looking to put away Dolph with the glorious DDT.
>> And counter by the champion.
>> Shoulders are down, hooks the leg and a kick out by Roode.
>> Right to the knee.
>> Ziggler looking for famous or perhaps Roode avoids it.
Rolls him up, stacks him up.
Ziggler rolls through, Dolph trying to grab the tight,
Bobby able to counter with to the Tyson his own.
>> Glorious DDT attempt.
>> And a zigzag by the champion.
Dolph Ziggler into the cover on Roode.
He hooks the leg and Dolph- >> I thought he had it.
>> I thought it was over.
>> I thought Ziggler had him.
>> I think Dolph did too.
Am very, very impressed with Bobby Roode here tonight.
>> I'm impressed with Bobby Roode throughout everything he's accomplished
in his entire career.
But Dolph Ziggler with a zigzag outta nowhere and Roode able to kick out.
>> Take another look at this.
Roode looking to finish things off with the glorious DDT but
Ziggler just a step ahead.
Unfortunately for an exhausted Dolph, it wasn't the end yet.
>> It's a great word exhausted cuz Dolph's like really,
had to come out here tonight and put in another 15 -20 minutes
after everything I went through last night with Seth?
>> Well, Ziggler was not expecting a match tonight.
He was expected to come out here and gloat until Bobby Roode made the challenge.
And now Dolph Ziggler measuring Bobby Roode back to his feet.
Going for the Superkick, Roode able to block.
>> Uh-oh, and he sends Dolph into the corner.
>> Spotbuster and a cover.
Don't put the Intercontinental Champion away.
And I kick out at two.
>> I nearly got the three.
>> [NOISE] >> They're both exhausted.
You've got to be impressed with Dolph Ziggler though.
To hang at this level tonight after such an incredible battle with Seth Rollins.
30 minutes plus in the Iron Man match, Dolph still in this fight.
>> There are certain times of the year when you have to start ramping things up.
And don't tell me that every superstar does not understand
the time of the year that it is.
>> [NOISE] >> Everybody wants to show up in Brooklyn.
Everybody who wants to be at SummerSlam.
>> And Ziggler looking to take advantage of the zigzag attempt blocked by Roode.
>> Yeah, Roode able to hang on to the top rope.
And he caught Dolph right in the nose.
>> I think Bobby Roode may have hurt his knee,
may have tweaked it when he came off the ropes.
>> Blocks the DDT attempt and a Superkick to the jaw.
>> Good night.
>> Cover on Roode.
Hook to the leg and Dolph got it.
[SOUND]
[MUSIC]
>> Here is your winner, the Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler.
>> I think Bobby Roode tweaked his knee when he came off the road but
Dolph Ziggler ever the opportunist would take advantage tonight.
>> Yeah, Dolph clearly saw that and
he knew a quick shot to the chin was all he needed.
Bobby Roode getting a lot of credit, just wasn't quite enough tonight.
[MUSIC]