Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WWE is always going at a million miles an hour when the product is interesting, but right now it feels like the product has never been more chaotic. WrestleMania has come and gone, leaving several surprising moves with WWE following it up quickly with the Superstar Shake-up.
This Friday is the Greatest Royal Rumble which I have no idea how to deal with given the time it is happening and its ridiculous length, and Backlash is not too far behind. I'm still trying to figure out who is on what brand with the real question of what Raw will look like with all its talent on SmackDown.
Seriously, the Superstar Shake-up made Raw look so much worse, yet I can't even linger on that with Greatest Royal Rumble on Friday.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
This Friday is the Greatest Royal Rumble which I have no idea how to deal with given the time it is happening and its ridiculous length, and Backlash is not too far behind. I'm still trying to figure out who is on what brand with the real question of what Raw will look like with all its talent on SmackDown.
Seriously, the Superstar Shake-up made Raw look so much worse, yet I can't even linger on that with Greatest Royal Rumble on Friday.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Lesnar and Heyman laughing at the world for thinking they wouldn't take more free money to stay in WWE for another couple weeks.
Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman Mock Roman Reigns
Overview: Paul Heyman hyped up how much Brock Lesnar wanted the coming steel cage match with Roman Reigns. Reigns arrived to make clear he isn't afraid of The Beast and will leave Saudi Arabia as Universal Champion.
Analysis: This was a fine segment, but it really felt underbooked. Reigns barely did anything. Lesnar did not need to be there. Heyman just cut a usual hype promo. More needed to be done to sell the effects of Reigns' loss to Lesnar in this segment.
Analysis: This was a fine segment, but it really felt underbooked. Reigns barely did anything. Lesnar did not need to be there. Heyman just cut a usual hype promo. More needed to be done to sell the effects of Reigns' loss to Lesnar in this segment.
Elias def. Bobby Roode
Overview: Bobby Roode interrupted before Elias could even start his concert. Roode had Elias on the ropes with Elias escaping Roode outside only to be thrown back inside. As Roode returned, Elias caught him in the ropes then rolled him up for three.
Highlights:
Analysis: Roode is the biggest star Raw got from SmackDown, and he loses in his first singles match on the new brand. This is especially odd seeing as Bobby Lashley was supposed to be feuding with Elias. Either way, this feud needs more than Roode interrupting Elias to work.
Highlights:
- Elias escaped the Glorious DDT but was quickly clotheslined to the floor.
- Roode fought out of Elias's grip with a side suplex then planted Elias with a swinging neckbreaker into a diving clothesline.
- Roode blocked Elias out of the corner with a boot then hit a blockbuster.
Analysis: Roode is the biggest star Raw got from SmackDown, and he loses in his first singles match on the new brand. This is especially odd seeing as Bobby Lashley was supposed to be feuding with Elias. Either way, this feud needs more than Roode interrupting Elias to work.
Ascension just wanted to follow their best friends to Raw, and this is what they get.
Woken Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt def. The Ascension
Overview: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt showed their explosiveness against the Ascension, getting rolling after a few minutes in a way that Konnor and Viktor could not handle. The Woken Ones hit the elevated Twist of Fate on Konnor for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This team is fun to watch mainly because Wyatt just looked more energized in the ring working as a face. He should have been a face a long time ago. It will be interesting to see who he and Matt end up feuding with after they win the tag titles on Friday given the lack of Raw tag team division depth.
Highlights:
- Wyatt threw Konnor into the double boots of Matt followed by Wyatt planting him with a running shoulder block.
- Wyatt booted Konnor off the apron then planted Viktor with a running crossbody.
Analysis: This team is fun to watch mainly because Wyatt just looked more energized in the ring working as a face. He should have been a face a long time ago. It will be interesting to see who he and Matt end up feuding with after they win the tag titles on Friday given the lack of Raw tag team division depth.
Kurt Angle Ruins the Fun on the First-Ever Sami and Kevin Show
Overview: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens introduced their new talk show The Sami and Kevin Show, filling the void left by The Miz's departure. Their first guest, Kurt Angle, was quickly mocked by the hosts. He responded by announcing a match for later as a present to KO and Zayn, teaming up against Bobby Lashley and Braun Strowman.
Analysis: KO and Zayn are way too good to be repeatedly this boring. They have replaced Shane McMahon with Angle, and they're back to the same failed power plays. These two are the only other major stars added to the roster last week (technically not signed from SmackDown), and they need to be more than just the stooges who keep the GM relevant.
Analysis: KO and Zayn are way too good to be repeatedly this boring. They have replaced Shane McMahon with Angle, and they're back to the same failed power plays. These two are the only other major stars added to the roster last week (technically not signed from SmackDown), and they need to be more than just the stooges who keep the GM relevant.
I'm starting to wonder if the biggest thing holding Ziggler back is his hair.
Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre def. Titus Worldwide
Overview: Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre steamrolled through Titus Worldwide, planting Apollo Crews with the Zig Zag/Claymore combo to win. Afterward, Ziggler put over McIntyre as being the one guy that finally has his back, and McIntyre called himself the wake up call that the locker room needs.
Highlights:
Analysis: While they are clearly just a rehashed Shawn Michaels and Diesel, I am already starting to really like this pairing. Ziggler seems energized while McIntyre is his perfect heated foil. They already have a fantastic set of team moves, and they come off as legit enough to feud with anyone on Raw.
Highlights:
- McIntyre caught the boot of Crews, hit him with a back elbow, then set him up for a low superkick from Ziggler into an Alabama Slam.
Analysis: While they are clearly just a rehashed Shawn Michaels and Diesel, I am already starting to really like this pairing. Ziggler seems energized while McIntyre is his perfect heated foil. They already have a fantastic set of team moves, and they come off as legit enough to feud with anyone on Raw.
Chad Gable def. Jinder Mahal
Overview: As Chad Gable was walking up the steps to the ring, Sunil Singh distracted him to allow Jinder Mahal to knock him off to the floor. Mahal kept up the vicious attack, but Gable managed to bounce out of the corner into a pin on Mahal to take a surprise win.
Highlights:
Analysis: I had a feeling this might be the plan after this match was set up, and I'm happy to see Gable getting some time to shine. He and Mahal were both sloppy here, but they could be a great pair on Raw. I was actually excited about this match even with all the issues because it had a solid story and was completely fresh.
Highlights:
- Mahal whipped Gable hard into the corner then stopped Gable from fighting back with a back elbow.
- Mahal repeatedly drove jumping knees into Gable's jaw before Gable caught him with a boot followed by a rolling kick and two dragon screws.
- Mahal bounced Gable face-first off the top rope then hit him with a high knee.
Analysis: I had a feeling this might be the plan after this match was set up, and I'm happy to see Gable getting some time to shine. He and Mahal were both sloppy here, but they could be a great pair on Raw. I was actually excited about this match even with all the issues because it had a solid story and was completely fresh.
Keep trying, Lashley. You might manage to meet the example of Nicholas one day.
Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley def. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Overview: Owens and Zayn tried to avoid action at all times until they were outsmarted by the big men. After Strowman repeatedly made sure Owens stayed out of the way, Lashley lifted Zayn high for a long delayed vertical suplex then Strowman hit him with a running powerslam for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This show needed a match like this to get going far earlier. Strowman and Lashley were a lot of fun to watch manhandle the heels, and Zayn and Owens sold well for them. It was the best match of the night with nothing really close despite this not being all that involved a contest.
Highlights:
- Lashley caught KO with a swinging neckbreaker then a spinebuster.
- Owens stuck Lashley in the corner with a headlock, and Zayn repeatedly struck the big man with Lashley fighting back with a snap suplex.
- Lashley took out Zayn with Snake Eyes then a running crossbody, but Owens tripped him over the top rope followed by a running senton.
- Lashley launched Zayn across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex then Zayn and KO traded opportunities to block the hot tag with Lashley turning a sleeper into a backpack stunner.
- Strowman drove Owens hard into the barricade with back-to-back running shoulders then a dropkick into the floor.
Analysis: This show needed a match like this to get going far earlier. Strowman and Lashley were a lot of fun to watch manhandle the heels, and Zayn and Owens sold well for them. It was the best match of the night with nothing really close despite this not being all that involved a contest.
Baron Corbin Refuses to Fight No Way Jose
Overview: No Way Jose brought out his conga line for his match with Baron Corbin, but Corbin took this as a threat, refusing to fight Jose with his friends at ringside. Jose partied back up the ramp before Corbin assaulted him from behind, throwing him into the screen.
Analysis: Jose was always going to last as long as they kept him fighting smaller opponents. Given Corbin is likely to be a major player on Raw, this looks to already be the end for Jose's regular use on the brand. Unless WWE actually wants to make him more serious, he's not beating Corbin.
Analysis: Jose was always going to last as long as they kept him fighting smaller opponents. Given Corbin is likely to be a major player on Raw, this looks to already be the end for Jose's regular use on the brand. Unless WWE actually wants to make him more serious, he's not beating Corbin.
If everyone good just wants to pair off, Raw will have a fantastic tag team division.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor def. The Miztourage
Overview: While Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel managed to ground Finn Balor for a bit, a fresh Seth Rollins got the hot tag and effortlessly dominated The Miztourage. He hit Axel with a Stomp then tagged in Balor to get the win with the Coup De Grace.
Highlights:
Analysis: Axel and Dallas's evolution should be interesting to watch. It was appropriate that their likely final time coming out to Miz's theme was followed by them getting dominated by Balor and Rollins. They hopefully won't be forgotten after this.
Highlights:
- Dallas dazed Balor with an elbow smash, but Balor responded immediately with an overhead kick.
- Rollins caught Axel with a suicide dive and blockbuster with Dallas trying to distract Rollins for the Perfect-Plex only for Rollins to fight out.
Analysis: Axel and Dallas's evolution should be interesting to watch. It was appropriate that their likely final time coming out to Miz's theme was followed by them getting dominated by Balor and Rollins. They hopefully won't be forgotten after this.
Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, and the Riott Squad def. Nia Jax, Ember Moon, Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Natalya By Disqualification
Overview: Everyone in this match got a chance to shine until the action broke down. Nia Jax noticed the brawl and jumped off the apron into the pile to take out everyone. This left just Mickie James and an injured Natalya who Mickie decided to attack, sending out Ronda Rousey.
Mickie hit Rousey with a baseball slide and paid for it with an armbar which cause a disqualification. Rousey stared down Mickie as she helped Natalya to the back.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine, but it got undercut by a bunch of nonsense. The finish was clearly just to let Rousey stand out which was probably the smart decision. Mickie should be a good first singles opponent to help Rousey transition, and the angle here worked to give the two heat quickly.
Mickie hit Rousey with a baseball slide and paid for it with an armbar which cause a disqualification. Rousey stared down Mickie as she helped Natalya to the back.
Highlights:
- Ember Moon hit Liv Morgan with a cartwheel elbow smash, a springboard crossbody, then caught her running outside with a suicide dive.
- Natalya suplexed Mickie twice then took her down with a snapmare into a running stomp and basement dropkick.
- Logan saved Mickie from the Sharpshooter with a chop block followed quickly by a quick to the back of the right leg that left Natalya injured outside.
- Jax ran Riott into the corner followed by a body avalanche and delayed press slam into a leg drop.
Analysis: This match was fine, but it got undercut by a bunch of nonsense. The finish was clearly just to let Rousey stand out which was probably the smart decision. Mickie should be a good first singles opponent to help Rousey transition, and the angle here worked to give the two heat quickly.
Corbin did lose multiple times to Sin Cara, so losing Jose is not out of the question.
Backstage Notes: The show opened with a tribute to Bruno Sammartino. Matt and Wyatt cut a promo before their match on becoming tag team champions. The Miztourage tried to find a new leader, but Rollins and Balor both left them hanging. Another video was shown of Baron Corbin's dominance.
Angle told Gable he wanted to make Gable a singles star on Raw with Mahal interrupting to demand a trade back to SmackDown before Gable and Mahal got into an argument. Samoa Joe cut a selfie promo about how expected Reigns to be destroyed on Friday.
Riott Squad said their attack last week was meant to get everyone scared. Alexa had A Moment of Bliss, talking about how she was a silent accomplice to Jax's "bullying" for years, and she would put an end to it all at Backlash. Natalya hyped up the face team before the main event with Banks and Bayley still awkward around each other.
Conclusion: This show started really slow, flat out boring for half the night. However, Ziggler and McIntyre were the first indication of where Raw will thrive followed by an interesting beginning of a push for Gable. The main event scene may not be interesting, but the midcard and women's division could carry the brand.
The worst thing this show did was fail completely to sell Greatest Royal Rumble. If this was Raw's go-home show for that event, it did not manage much. None of the matches are anything more than they were on paper when first announced.
This only accentuates the feeling that the show is halfway between a house show and pay-per-view. Titles may change hands, but it will likely not be a night of story-driven action. It will be interesting to see if anything major has changed for Raw by next week.
Angle told Gable he wanted to make Gable a singles star on Raw with Mahal interrupting to demand a trade back to SmackDown before Gable and Mahal got into an argument. Samoa Joe cut a selfie promo about how expected Reigns to be destroyed on Friday.
Riott Squad said their attack last week was meant to get everyone scared. Alexa had A Moment of Bliss, talking about how she was a silent accomplice to Jax's "bullying" for years, and she would put an end to it all at Backlash. Natalya hyped up the face team before the main event with Banks and Bayley still awkward around each other.
Conclusion: This show started really slow, flat out boring for half the night. However, Ziggler and McIntyre were the first indication of where Raw will thrive followed by an interesting beginning of a push for Gable. The main event scene may not be interesting, but the midcard and women's division could carry the brand.
The worst thing this show did was fail completely to sell Greatest Royal Rumble. If this was Raw's go-home show for that event, it did not manage much. None of the matches are anything more than they were on paper when first announced.
This only accentuates the feeling that the show is halfway between a house show and pay-per-view. Titles may change hands, but it will likely not be a night of story-driven action. It will be interesting to see if anything major has changed for Raw by next week.
