The July 4, 2016, episode of Monday Night Raw was a celebration of American pride and wrestling extravagance, culminating in an epic 16-Man Elimination Tag Team Match that pitted Team U.S.A. against The Multinational Alliance. The match was a nod to Independence Day, combining patriotic themes with WWE’s signature chaos.
Team U.S.A. was captained by John Cena and included a lineup of American-born superstars: Big Show, Kane, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Apollo Crews, Zack Ryder, and The Dudley Boyz. Draped in red, white, and blue, the team entered to raucous cheers from the Cleveland crowd, embodying the spirit of the Fourth of July.
Their opponents, The Multinational Alliance, represented a blend of international talent, united in their quest to dethrone the patriotic squad. Led by Kevin Owens (Canada), the team included Sheamus (Ireland), Alberto Del Rio (Mexico), Sami Zayn (Canada), Cesaro (Switzerland), Chris Jericho (Canada), Rusev (Bulgaria), and Sin Cara (Mexico).
The match was an action-packed spectacle, featuring a blend of high-flying maneuvers, powerhouse displays, and tactical teamwork. The early stages saw both teams trading eliminations, with Sheamus eliminating Zack Ryder after a Brogue Kick and Apollo Crews responding by pinning Sin Cara with a spinning sit-out powerbomb.
The crowd erupted when John Cena and Kevin Owens faced off in the ring, delivering a thrilling exchange of near-falls and signature moves. Cena eventually eliminated Owens with an Attitude Adjustment, rallying Team U.S.A. in the process. Meanwhile, Rusev showcased his brute strength by eliminating Kane and Jack Swagger with crushing Accolades.
As the match progressed, it came down to John Cena, Big Show, and Mark Henry for Team U.S.A. against Rusev and Chris Jericho for The Multinational Alliance. Big Show eliminated Jericho with a thunderous Chokeslam, leaving Rusev to face three giants. Despite a valiant effort, Rusev was overwhelmed. Cena hit another Attitude Adjustment, followed by a splash from Henry and a knockout punch from Big Show to seal the victory for Team U.S.A.
The crowd erupted in a chant of “U.S.A.!” as fireworks lit up the arena. The win capped off an unforgettable Independence Day celebration, leaving fans buzzing with patriotic pride.
