Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Last week, the Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live rosters changed dramatically with both brands seeing major stars switch sides. Now, Raw must refocus just two weeks before Payback where all the top stars will clash with the future of championships hanging in the balance.
The biggest question for the show though was what the repercussions would be of Braun Strowman's attack on Roman Reigns, a statement that left Reigns badly hurt and spoke to the man Strowman challenges weeks back: WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar.
The biggest question for the show though was what the repercussions would be of Braun Strowman's attack on Roman Reigns, a statement that left Reigns badly hurt and spoke to the man Strowman challenges weeks back: WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar.
Kurt Angle was going to accept Braun Strowman's challenge and fight him in the main event, but apparently he's too old for that, unlike Big Show.
Braun Strowman Promises to Continue to Lay Waste to Raw
Overview: Braun Strowman gloated over the damage he did to Roman Reigns last week, saying he would not be on the show tonight. He then promised to do the same to the rest of the roster which brought out Kurt Angle. Angle told Strowman he would face Reigns at Payback, and he would be taken the night off. Strowman said he wanted a match tonight or else before walking out.
Analysis: This was fast and efficient with the giant getting across his point and moving on. It also set up for destruction throughout the night with Angle set to get a first-hand view of what he has gotten into by accepting the Raw General Manager role and keeping Strowman on Raw.
Analysis: This was fast and efficient with the giant getting across his point and moving on. It also set up for destruction throughout the night with Angle set to get a first-hand view of what he has gotten into by accepting the Raw General Manager role and keeping Strowman on Raw.
Jericho's time off didn't last long nor did his time as a main event worker.
Samoa Joe def. Chris Jericho
Overview: Seth Rollins watch this match on commentary. Chris Jericho found ways to maneuver around Samoa Joe's offense on multiple occasions, but eventually he was simply outmatched. Joe trapped Jericho in the Coquina Clutch and refused to be pinned in the move, getting the submission. Afterward, Joe told Rollins their match would be personal with Rollins agreeing.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was not the greatest match, but it was a true showcase for Joe who simply overwhelmed Jericho. It was surprising to see this with Jericho set for a big match against Kevin Owens in two weeks. You would think they would protect Y2J, but instead they used him to truly set up a statement victory for Joe.
Highlights:
- Jericho caught Joe running at him from the far corner with a sudden dropkick.
- Joe missed a running senton then took a Lionsault.
- Joe hit a uranage out of the corner but missed a second rope senton and was trapped in the Walls of Jericho.
- Joe flipped Jericho off him and locked in the Coquina Clutch.
Analysis: This was not the greatest match, but it was a true showcase for Joe who simply overwhelmed Jericho. It was surprising to see this with Jericho set for a big match against Kevin Owens in two weeks. You would think they would protect Y2J, but instead they used him to truly set up a statement victory for Joe.
This is what happens when The Revival get hurt. We get stuck with the rivalry that wasn't good the past 10 times they tried it.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. Enzo and Big Cass
Overview: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson complained about losing their opponents for the night after a backstage attack from Strowman on the Golden Truth. Instead, Enzo and Big Cass came out to be the opponents. The heels dominated then managed to get Cass out of the ring to set up for Anderson to throw Enzo knees first into the top turnbuckle for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: The match was fairly standard with an awkward finish that did not quite look right. Even the referee seemed uncertain that was the finish. These two teams just don't really have a sense of how to take the next step as rivals in the ring. We get the same match between them every time now.
Highlights:
- Outside the ring, Cass threw Enzo into Gallows and Anderson back to back.
- Gallows caught the leg of Enzo and held him for a single-leg running dropkick.
- Enzo's furious comeback was squashed by an Anderson spinebuster.
- Enzo nearly got to Cass after a diving DDT with Anderson blocking but then missing a single-leg dropkick that allowed the official hot tag.
- Gallows took the crossbody of Enzo off a Bada Boom Shakalaka attempt.
Analysis: The match was fairly standard with an awkward finish that did not quite look right. Even the referee seemed uncertain that was the finish. These two teams just don't really have a sense of how to take the next step as rivals in the ring. We get the same match between them every time now.
If Raw was going to import from SmackDown, why take the worst main event rivalry on the brand?
Dean Ambrose Takes Exception to The Miz Calling Him a Bad Brand
Overview: Dean Ambrose interrupted The Miz's introduction of the champion for Miz TV, making fun of Miz. Miz took exceptions to his insults of his clothing with Ambrose so disheveled. Miz called Ambrose lazy and complacent which set off Ambrose who said he loves wrestling because he loves violence.
After Maryse called out the champion, he set down much of what he was wearing so that he could attack Miz with strikes. Miz barely avoided a Dirty Deeds and ran up the ramp.
Analysis: This was a fun segment, but it is odd to have these two revisit a rivalry that wasn't great on SmackDown right off the bat on a new brand. Why not pair them with fresh talent? This is especially an issue since Ambrose and Miz have little in-ring chemistry.
After Maryse called out the champion, he set down much of what he was wearing so that he could attack Miz with strikes. Miz barely avoided a Dirty Deeds and ran up the ramp.
Analysis: This was a fun segment, but it is odd to have these two revisit a rivalry that wasn't great on SmackDown right off the bat on a new brand. Why not pair them with fresh talent? This is especially an issue since Ambrose and Miz have little in-ring chemistry.
Kings don't eat bananas. They eat more exotic fruits, like mangos.
TJ Perkins def. Jack Gallagher
Overview: Neville came out before this match for a special appearance at ringside which brought out Austin Aries as well. Perkins and Gallagher dabbed at one another with TJP then dunking Gallagher's umbrella. When chaos outside distracted Gallagher, TJP kicked the rope into Gallagher's face then hit the Detonation Kick for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid encounter between two of the best in the cruiserweight division. The commercial break still felt unwelcome, breaking up an important moment in the match, but overall both men looked good with Neville and Aries outside aiding the air of importance to the contest.
Highlights:
- Perkins caught the ropes then ducked a dive by Gallagher then send The Gentlemen to the floor.
- TJP caught Gallagher with a springboard forearm but walked into a headbutt.
- Gallagher landed the umbrella-assisted senton dive, Mary Poppins, on Perkins.
- Perkins shoved Gallagher into Aries then Neville tripped Aries off the apron.
Analysis: This was a solid encounter between two of the best in the cruiserweight division. The commercial break still felt unwelcome, breaking up an important moment in the match, but overall both men looked good with Neville and Aries outside aiding the air of importance to the contest.
That moment when the high school bully meets the one girl she really shouldn't have called fat.
Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks to Become the New Number One Contender to the Raw Women's Championship
Overview: Nia Jax was an unstoppable machine in this match with Alexa Bliss just trying to avoid her. Sasha Banks took the brunt of the punishment while Mickie James nearly took the win on multiple occasions. Jax hit the Samoan drop on Banks only for Bliss to dropkick her out of the ring and steal the pin for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the match of the night with all four women finding a niche in this match to keep the tempo moving. Jax was the center of the destruction while Bliss was the least physically involved yet made the most impact by playing opportunist and avoiding Jax as much as possible.
Highlights:
- Bliss tried to escape the ring only to be thrown into the chest of Jax.
- As Jax chased Bliss, she was double dropkicked out of the ring.
- Banks sent Mickie reeling then hit a suicide dive on her and Jax.
- Bliss ran off the ropes into a Jax powerslam with Banks then caught by Jax for another slam.
- Jax locked Banks in a bear hug for a while before she countered it into a guillotine which Jax quickly turned into a vertical suplex.
- Mickie got Jax to the ground with armbar only for her to power back up and throw Mickie into Banks in the corner.
- Banks stopped Mickie from a Mick-DT on Bliss then Mickie failed to block the double knees on Bliss with Jax having to break up the cover from double knees.
- Banks hit the backstabber then locked in the Bank Statement with a Mickie save.
Analysis: This was the match of the night with all four women finding a niche in this match to keep the tempo moving. Jax was the center of the destruction while Bliss was the least physically involved yet made the most impact by playing opportunist and avoiding Jax as much as possible.
Finn Balor is so concussed he probably thinks he's about to fight Jinder... for the first time.
Finn Balor def. Curt Hawkins
Overview: Curt Hawkins talked up his star factory as Big Show showcased last week, competing in the main event this week after stepping into the ring with Hawkins last week. Finn Balor answered Hawkins' open challenge and quickly took the win with a running dropkick into the corner followed by the Coup De Grace.
Analysis: While Hawkins twisting squash matches as promotion of his own brand is hilarious, I'm not sure why Balor is wrestling these type of contests. Clearly he was not as concussed as previously reported, but maybe they want to be safe with The Demon before he begins feuding with Bray Wyatt.
Analysis: While Hawkins twisting squash matches as promotion of his own brand is hilarious, I'm not sure why Balor is wrestling these type of contests. Clearly he was not as concussed as previously reported, but maybe they want to be safe with The Demon before he begins feuding with Bray Wyatt.
Jeff really hasn't figured out he's nearly 40 yet, has he?
Jeff Hardy def. Cesaro
Overview: Jeff Hardy came out swinging but was quickly stopped cold by Cesaro's barrage of uppercuts. Jeff made a huge comeback, catching Cesaro with the Twist of Fate into a Swanton Bomb for the win. Afterward, Sheamus and Cesaro shook hands with The Hardy Boyz.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid match though Jeff continues to move a bit slow and seem to be hurting. Cesaro and Jeff made for an interesting pairing of styles that never quite gelled here even with good time to deliver. It would have been nice to see Cesaro do more here than just hit uppercuts.
Highlights:
- Cesaro caught Jeff outside with a running uppercut into the barricade.
- Jeff caught Cesaro with a jawbreaker with Cesaro rolling away before a Swanton.
- Cesaro caught Jeff with an impactful running clothesline in the corner.
- Cesaro spun out of a Twist of Fate into an uppercut then went for the giant swing only to be kicked off then hit the springboard corkscrew uppercut.
- Cesaro caught Jeff on the top with an uppercut then had his superplex caught to get dumped on the top rope into a dropkick to the floor.
- Jeff hit the Whisper in the Wind to begin a comeback.
Analysis: This was a solid match though Jeff continues to move a bit slow and seem to be hurting. Cesaro and Jeff made for an interesting pairing of styles that never quite gelled here even with good time to deliver. It would have been nice to see Cesaro do more here than just hit uppercuts.
Brock Lesnar might have been impressed, or insulted, if he actually watched WWE or planned to appear in the next few months.
Braun Strowman vs. Big Show Goes to a No Contest
Overview: Before the match could begin, the two brawled, and Big Show threw Strowman into the steel steps. This battle of multiple nearfalls was stopped short when Strowman superplexed Show into the mar, imploding the ring. Strowman got back to his feet while Show was still unmoving.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was another epic encounters between the super-heavyweights. It was unfortunate it had to be broken up by WWE repeating the ring break spot for the third time. It would have been nice to just have Strowman win the match after the spot rather than simply stand tall.
This was an exciting and effective finish to Raw even if it is a shame WWE could not come with a more original spot to set up the finish.
Highlights:
- Show hit a baseball slide on Strowman then threw him into the steps again.
- Strowman planted Show with a running dropkick to the chest.
- Strowman kipped up and then hit a series of arm drags.
- Show attempted a body slam and failed then hit it on a second attempt.
- Strowman batted off a chokeslam then suplexed him into the mat.
- Show fought out of a powerslam then hit a body avalanche in the corner.
- Strowman dived right into a chokeslam nearfall.
- Show kicked out of the running powerslam.
- After fighting off a superplex, Strowman dived right into the WMD.
Analysis: This was another epic encounters between the super-heavyweights. It was unfortunate it had to be broken up by WWE repeating the ring break spot for the third time. It would have been nice to just have Strowman win the match after the spot rather than simply stand tall.
This was an exciting and effective finish to Raw even if it is a shame WWE could not come with a more original spot to set up the finish.
Clearly Seth Rollins has clearly been enjoying his time on Raw.
Final Notes: The Golden Truth were walking to the ring for a match against Gallows and Anderson only to be attacked by Strowman. Strowman was then told to leave by a referee who was scared off. Strowman threw Kalisto in the trash only to be knocked down by Show who challenged him to pick on someone his own size.
Titus O'Neil greeted newcomer Apollo Crews, trying to recruit him to the Titus brand, to make money for his family. The Hardy Boys talked about how excited they were to be on this new athletic brand with Sheamus and Cesaro interrupting. Sheamus made clear he was confident they would beat the champs, but Cesaro was more just excited to wrestle against legends.
Throughout the night, before the fatal-4 way, video packages were shown for each woman contending for the championship. In an interview, Show promised to show that he's in the best shape of his career against Strowman. Jericho made no bones about his loss to Joe then made clear he was still focused on KO with The Drifter walking through Jericho's interview.
Wyatt cut a video promo on Randy Orton about true terror, saying he harnessed fear within his household, his House of Horrors. Emma turned Alicia Fox on Dana Brooke by lying that Dana had been making fun of Fox about the box blowing up in her face last week on 205Live.
Conclusion: This was a strong show with two memorable matches on the night. Everything felt like it was naturally progressing toward Payback with few outliers that were simply time fillers. It was encouraging that Raw continued its hot streak with another solid night of action and build up.
This was close to SmackDown in its construction, giving everyone time and maximizing minutes. The three hours move by quickly when Raw takes its time with each segment rather than filling time with a bunch of squashes and contests with nothing on the line.
This is the type of Raw we should be able to get every week. Perhaps we are seeing WWE take a positive step in its writing to continue the show's momentum week to week rather than having one good show every month on average.
Titus O'Neil greeted newcomer Apollo Crews, trying to recruit him to the Titus brand, to make money for his family. The Hardy Boys talked about how excited they were to be on this new athletic brand with Sheamus and Cesaro interrupting. Sheamus made clear he was confident they would beat the champs, but Cesaro was more just excited to wrestle against legends.
Throughout the night, before the fatal-4 way, video packages were shown for each woman contending for the championship. In an interview, Show promised to show that he's in the best shape of his career against Strowman. Jericho made no bones about his loss to Joe then made clear he was still focused on KO with The Drifter walking through Jericho's interview.
Wyatt cut a video promo on Randy Orton about true terror, saying he harnessed fear within his household, his House of Horrors. Emma turned Alicia Fox on Dana Brooke by lying that Dana had been making fun of Fox about the box blowing up in her face last week on 205Live.
Conclusion: This was a strong show with two memorable matches on the night. Everything felt like it was naturally progressing toward Payback with few outliers that were simply time fillers. It was encouraging that Raw continued its hot streak with another solid night of action and build up.
This was close to SmackDown in its construction, giving everyone time and maximizing minutes. The three hours move by quickly when Raw takes its time with each segment rather than filling time with a bunch of squashes and contests with nothing on the line.
This is the type of Raw we should be able to get every week. Perhaps we are seeing WWE take a positive step in its writing to continue the show's momentum week to week rather than having one good show every month on average.