WWE Raw tag team championships: Cesaro & Sheamus def. The New Day via pinfall (10:10)
The The New Day's record-breaking tag team championship reign of 483 days is no more.
Totals(1 possible point for each)
Storytelling: 0.75
In-Ring Execution: 0.75
Match Psychology: 1.00
Timing: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
Rating Summary: This exhilarating opener flowed at a rapid pace with both teams putting forth a hell of a performance. We were treated to a satisfying story of Sheamus and Cesaro finally overcoming the odds in a match full of convincing near falls in front of a crowd who was eating it up -- and rightfully so.
The team of Cesaro and Sheamus twice overcame interference from The New Day's third member, Xavier Woods, to kick out of near-falls and survive -- and then they unleashed a bit of trickery of their own to earn the victory.
The title bout kicked off the WWE's Raw-exclusive Roadblock: End of the Line pay-per-view card inside PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- and ultimately ended The New Day's nearly two-year dominance on the division, which included a pair of title reigns.
The ending proved to be exciting as Cesaro bluffed a tag from Sheamus and entered the ring, only to walk right into a Trouble in Paradise finishing move from a weary Kofi Kingston. Sheamus, the legal man, seized the opportunity to swoop in for the pin.
The New Day saw their title reign come to a close the same week that they broke Demolition's long-standing record of 478 days.
After the match, all three members handed their belts to the new champions, embracing the fan-favorite Cesaro with a huge hug. But Sheamus stuck to his heel persona by ripping both belts out of their hands and celebrated on his own by standing on the turnbuckle under a chorus of boos. Cesaro then exited the ring and celebrated with the crowd, many of whom held "Cesaro Section" signs.
The match was fast-paced from the beginning with Cesaro and Sheamus dominating the first half with strategic double-teaming on Kingston. The New Day switched up the momentum midway through the bout when Kingston finally tagged in Big E, who speared Sheamus through the ropes and onto the floor.
There were plenty of near falls and teases the rest of the way, including a spot where Sheamus accidentally struck Cesaro during a run-in, which led to interference from Woods and a two-count for The New Day.
But moments later, Cesaro and Sheamus escaped defeat a second time due to interference from Woods when he distracted the referee long enough to miss a tap out from Kingston while stuck in Cesaro's sharp shooter.
Big E and Kingston won the then-WWE world tag team championships in a Fatal 4-Way match at SummerSlam 2015, defeating Los Matadores, The Lucha Dragons and The Prime Time Players. They then proceeded to bring back the "Freebird" rule, allowing Woods to participate in title defenses as well.
The New Day broke the record previously held by Demolition, who were WWF world tag team champions from March 27, 1988 until July 17, 1989 -- a span of 478 days.
This title change makes WWE Universal champion Kevin Owens, who's held the WWE Universal championship for 111 days, the longest-reigning champion in the WWE.
Sami Zayn def. Braun Strowman by lasting the 10-minute time limit
Sami Zayn survived 10 minutes with the monster Braun Strowman in a match that showcased strong storytelling that elevated both superstars.
Totals(1 possible point for each)
Storytelling: 0.75
In-Ring Execution: 0.25
Match Psychology: 0.50
Timing: 0.25
Innovation: 0.00
Summary: This bout was simply about the storyline progression of Zayn's hunger to prove his worth to himself and Mick Foley. The focus was on the various story points rather than the execution of spots. It was a predictable next chapter and not much of a match.
After Strowman dominated Zayn and threw him around like a ragdoll for the first eight minutes, with the referee constantly stepping in to check on Zayn's health, the momentum of the match changed considerably after Raw general manager Mick Foley walked down to the ring with an oversized white towel in his hand.
Strowman got into the face of Foley and implored him to end the bout, saying, "I told you he couldn't last. Save him, throw the towel in. You'll save his life by throwing that towel in." But Zayn crawled to Foley's feet and begged him not to before grabbing the towel and tossing it into the crowd.
After Strowman missed a splash outside the ring, sending him face-first into the post, Zayn found new life. Strowman followed it up by missing a second splash that saw him crashing through the barricade in front of the timekeeper. But he rolled back into the ring at the count of nine to avoid the countout.
With less than one minute remaining on the clock, Strowman missed another corner splash and Zayn capitalized on the opportunity by connecting on a cross body off the top rope that nearly produced a three-count.
But after Zayn followed with his finishing the move, the Helluva kick, he ran out of time as the clock expired.
Strowman, who has yet to be pinned on television, lost nothing due to the outcome, and this showdown should allow the feud to continue.