Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WWE SummerSlam 2017 last night was a night of massive change, below the top of the card, with only the top stars retaining their championships. Now WWE will turn to the fall and developing rivalries. It is up to WWE to take the best parts of SummerSlam and move past the weakest elements.
With rumors of potential NXT stars moving up to both brands as well as John Cena moving over to Raw and No Mercy not too far off, this Raw had a lot of ground to cover and potentially surprise.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
With rumors of potential NXT stars moving up to both brands as well as John Cena moving over to Raw and No Mercy not too far off, this Raw had a lot of ground to cover and potentially surprise.
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
Get yourself a man or woman who looks at you the way that Brock Lesnar looks at a new hoss.
Braun Strowman Makes His Universal Championship Claim Clear
Overview: Paul Heyman sang the praises of Brock Lesnar before Braun Strowman came out to stare down The Beast Incarnate. Strowman went for a chokeslam then hit Lesnar with a big boot followed by a running powerslam.
Analysis: Lesnar vs. Strowman is money, and it's almost a shame they aren't waiting on it for a bigger show than No Mercy. I'll gladly reap the benefits early. The destruction these two can cause will be well worth the seven minutes they go on PPV.
Analysis: Lesnar vs. Strowman is money, and it's almost a shame they aren't waiting on it for a bigger show than No Mercy. I'll gladly reap the benefits early. The destruction these two can cause will be well worth the seven minutes they go on PPV.
Enzo Amore def. Big Cass By Forfeit
Overview: Enzo Amore promised before the match that this would be where it all ended. He was quickly overwhelmed by Cass despite bringing an array of weapons to utilize. A bad tumble outside caused Cass's leg to buckle, and the referee decided to call off the match, awarded the win to Enzo by forfeit.
Highlights:
Analysis: This likely was a match that was meant to go longer and help establish Cass once more, but a bad injury took him out of the action, giving Enzo a sudden victory. It was awkward, but all that matters is that Cass is hopefully okay (with it very likely the injury is legit).
Highlights:
- Cass handed a steel chair to Enzo then gave him a big boot.
- Enzo caught Cass with a jawbreaker but couldn't make it to the chair.
- Enzo sent Cass to the outside then got to the chair only to have his hand smashed under the boot of Cass on the chair.
Analysis: This likely was a match that was meant to go longer and help establish Cass once more, but a bad injury took him out of the action, giving Enzo a sudden victory. It was awkward, but all that matters is that Cass is hopefully okay (with it very likely the injury is legit).
Remember, kids, if you try too hard to get over and make yourself relevant, you deserve to be ridiculed and squashed.
Nia Jax def. Emma
Overview: Emma came out aggressively punching Nia Jax; however, she was quickly overwhelmed and took a Samoan Drop for the loss.
Analysis: WWE is showing its pettiness lately more than ever before. It turns out that wrestlers are not actually allowed to get over on their own even in today's social-media-loving WWE. Jax squashed Emma while we are all supposed to laugh at Emma thinking she is worthy of real opportunities as if she hasn't proven her worth before.
Analysis: WWE is showing its pettiness lately more than ever before. It turns out that wrestlers are not actually allowed to get over on their own even in today's social-media-loving WWE. Jax squashed Emma while we are all supposed to laugh at Emma thinking she is worthy of real opportunities as if she hasn't proven her worth before.
Elias def. R-Truth
Overview: Elias sang a song for R-Truth, making fun of his music and his attitude, before Truth interrupted. Truth came out swinging including grounding Elias with a spinebuster, but one vicious strike was enough to stop Truth in his tracks, hitting him after with the Drift Away for the win.
Analysis: What was the point of setting up this match at all last week if Truth was just going to get squashed? This was a fine win for Elias, but putting two squashes back-to-back only further illuminated the absurdity of squashes in WWE. Why even have Truth around if you aren't going to let him work?
Analysis: What was the point of setting up this match at all last week if Truth was just going to get squashed? This was a fine win for Elias, but putting two squashes back-to-back only further illuminated the absurdity of squashes in WWE. Why even have Truth around if you aren't going to let him work?
All those future world champions in the same ring. And Roman Reigns and John Cena are also there.
John Cena Arrives on Raw to Face Roman Reigns Only to Meet Other Challengers
Overview: Kurt Angle came out and immediately introduced John Cena. Cena then told everyone he was here to face one man with Roman Reigns not waiting for his name to be called. The Miz interrupted the tense confrontation calling out both men as taking his spotlight.
Cena gave him a chance by offering him a tag team match against Cena and Reigns, but Miz was uncertain before Samoa Joe came out to declare he would be Miz's partner. Joe then ran down Reigns before attacking Cena with Reigns sending Joe reeling for now.
Analysis: This segment went all over the place, but it was fantastic both because The Miz went shooting and the segment teased so many incredible potential bouts. Miz continues to be the best shooter in the business and went off in a way that unfortunately will never be paid off properly. Still, this did help establish future classics in Cena vs. Reigns and Joe.
Cena gave him a chance by offering him a tag team match against Cena and Reigns, but Miz was uncertain before Samoa Joe came out to declare he would be Miz's partner. Joe then ran down Reigns before attacking Cena with Reigns sending Joe reeling for now.
Analysis: This segment went all over the place, but it was fantastic both because The Miz went shooting and the segment teased so many incredible potential bouts. Miz continues to be the best shooter in the business and went off in a way that unfortunately will never be paid off properly. Still, this did help establish future classics in Cena vs. Reigns and Joe.
Rich Swann, Mustafa Ali, Cedric Alexander, and Gran Metalik def. Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, and Noam Dar
Overview: Rich Swann was isolated by the heels with Drew Gulak and Tony Nese trying to grind him down. However, he managed to get the hot tag to Cedric Alexander who ran over Nese with Gran Metalik helping clear out Ariya Daivari and Drew Gulak before Alexander hit the Lumbar Check on Nese to win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Remember when this type of match was the norm for the cruiserweights on Raw? It's back because WWE has no idea once more of how to present the division. Alexander would make a quality next challenger to Neville, but who knows what wrestler WWE will promote for that role?
Highlights:
- Ali caught Daivari with a three-quarter turn moonsault.
- Nese caught Swann bouncing off the rope with a running back elbow.
- Alexander hit Nese with a springboard forearm with Gulak saving the cover.
- Metalik hit a rope-walk moonsault on Gulak and Daivari outside.
Analysis: Remember when this type of match was the norm for the cruiserweights on Raw? It's back because WWE has no idea once more of how to present the division. Alexander would make a quality next challenger to Neville, but who knows what wrestler WWE will promote for that role?
Ambrose and Rollins always dreamed of wrestling The Hardy Boyz. Shame they got the somewhat broken, somewhat washed-up, somewhat nostalgic version.
Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins def. The Hardy Boyz
Overview: Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins called for a celebration after their victory at SummerSlam before The Hardy Boyz came out to challenge the tag team champions with the champs not even hesitating to agree. Ambrose escaped a Swanton Bomb then tagged in Rollins to set up a high knee into the Dirty Deeds for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fantastic TV match with all four men going all in. It could have easily happened on PPV and been the showstealer. It is almost a shame that it did not happen at No Mercy instead of a Raw that will be mostly forgotten. I hope we get a round two on a bigger stage soon.
Highlights:
- The Hardy Boyz hit Rollins with a double elevated suplex.
- Rollins caught Matt with a reverse STO into the turnbuckle then he took a running forearm from Ambrose into a running knee drop from Rollins.
- Ambrose nearly hit Dirty Deeds on Matt with a brawl suddenly breaking out.
- Jeff caught Rollins with a jawbreaker then hit Rollins with a running plancha.
- Ambrose missed a slingshot plancha on Matt then Matt sent Rollins over the top rope to hit a Poetry in the Motion to the outside on both men.
- Jeff landed Whisper in the Wind on both men to get the hot tag to Matt who isolated Rollins and hit the rapid-first turnbuckle strikes into a corner clothesline, running bulldog, and diving elbow drop.
- Matt didn't notice the blind tag and went for a Twist of Fate on Rollins only to take an elevated Slingblade from Rollins and Ambrose.
- Rollins dumped Matt outside then Ambrose dropkicked Jeff out to set up a double suicide dive.
- Ambrose went for Dirty Deeds then was bounced away into a rebound clothesline that Matt turned into a Side Effect.
- Ambrose headbutt Matt off the top rope, but he was then knocked off the top to set up a Twist of Fate by Matt into a Swanton Bomb where Ambrose got his knees up after Jeff distracted Jeff.
Analysis: This was a fantastic TV match with all four men going all in. It could have easily happened on PPV and been the showstealer. It is almost a shame that it did not happen at No Mercy instead of a Raw that will be mostly forgotten. I hope we get a round two on a bigger stage soon.
Alexa Bliss Sets Her Rematch For Next Week
Overview: Alexa Bliss interrupted Sasha Banks' bragging over her new Raw Women's Championship. Bliss declared that she would cash-in her rematch clause next week, promising to get her title back.
Analysis: This segment served its purpose, but Banks' taunting tone was hard to listen to. She made Bliss look so much better and herself so much worse with her childishness. I just hope these two finally put on the match they are capable of next week on Raw in a match that should be the main event.
Analysis: This segment served its purpose, but Banks' taunting tone was hard to listen to. She made Bliss look so much better and herself so much worse with her childishness. I just hope these two finally put on the match they are capable of next week on Raw in a match that should be the main event.
"I was going to be a star, a main eventer. Now I'm stuck putting over this garbage."
Finn Balor def. Jason Jordan
Overview: Jason Jordan showed how much he had scouted Finn Balor, but he still had no answer for Balor's explosiveness. When Balor got rolling, he could not be stopped, hitting his signature sequence into the Coup De Grace for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Balor made Jordan look good here, putting over his every offensive move. Jordan still has a lot of work to do to make his limited offense flow, but it was one of the better showings from Jordan to date with Balor a quality veteran challenge for him to get a rub from without going over.
Highlights:
- Balor sent Jordan outside to set up a bicycle kick, but Jordan rolled back inside.
- Jordan caught Balor in a butterfly lock which he tried to turn into a suplex only to take a back body drop into a dropkick from Balor.
- Balor caught Jordan with a bicycle kick then set up the corner dropkick only to run into a sudden overhead suplex.
- Jordan hit the corner shoulder tackle, but he then had the pump-up reversed into a lateral press.
- Balor caught him with a boot then the Slingblade into a corner dropkick.
Analysis: Balor made Jordan look good here, putting over his every offensive move. Jordan still has a lot of work to do to make his limited offense flow, but it was one of the better showings from Jordan to date with Balor a quality veteran challenge for him to get a rub from without going over.
John Cena and Roman Reigns def. Samoa Joe and The Miz
Overview: Joe tried to play master manipulator in this match, constantly isolating Reigns and then getting the two faces to hit one another. However, Joe took out Reigns after Cena took an inadvertent Superman Punch and left Miz alone, and Cena reversed a Skull Crushing Finale into an Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fine main event, but it did continue the trend of Cena limiting his performances, playing the old super babyface role. It was a shame in particular because it made out Miz's whole shoot promo as a joke when he went down so decisively. In the end, it wasn't a match that meant much of anything.
Highlights:
- Cena caught Miz running with a clothesline.
- Cena was distracted by the crowd and took a kick to the knee into low-angle DDT.
- Reigns took out Curtis Axel with a Drive By and Bo Dallas with a Superman Punch then managed to dump Miz outside after returning to the ring.
- Cena got the hot tag and hit Miz with the shoulder tackles into the side slam, but Joe got in his face to stop a Five Knuckle Shuffle and caught Cena in the Coquina Clutch with Reigns accidentally hitting Cena with a Superman Punch to break it.
Analysis: This was a fine main event, but it did continue the trend of Cena limiting his performances, playing the old super babyface role. It was a shame in particular because it made out Miz's whole shoot promo as a joke when he went down so decisively. In the end, it wasn't a match that meant much of anything.
Remember, no matter how bad you have it at your job, you are not more hated than Enzo is at his place of work.
Final Notes: Emma was complaining about losing to Banks as she talked to Dana Brooke before she started to insult her opponent tonight, Jax, who was right behind her. Jordan asked Angle tonight for a match with Balor to prove he was ready for the next level, and Angle agreed.
Neville was angry with the interviewer for insinuating Akira Tozawa had any chance at SummerSlam with Titus O'Neil and Tozawa appearing to announce they would get their rematch on 205 Live tomorrow. Joe took over the gameplan for the main event after Miz implied Joe was in the Miztourage, no-selling the comment.
Conclusion: This was a solid, fast-paced show that used two noteworthy bouts to distract from a night of very little actual wrestling. It was a build-up show, trying to react and refocus, which it did fine, setting up several enticing feuds down the line. There just were not too many exciting moments.
The Cena return to Raw segment along with the excellent tag team match between Ambrose and Rollins and The Hardy Boyz made up the bulk of the best parts of this show. Will I remember this Raw in a few months? No but I may remember those segments which is worth something.
Overall, it was an average night that could have been much more especially given it was coming off such a huge event. Perhaps SmackDown will do a better job selling itself as a SummerSlam fallout show.
Neville was angry with the interviewer for insinuating Akira Tozawa had any chance at SummerSlam with Titus O'Neil and Tozawa appearing to announce they would get their rematch on 205 Live tomorrow. Joe took over the gameplan for the main event after Miz implied Joe was in the Miztourage, no-selling the comment.
Conclusion: This was a solid, fast-paced show that used two noteworthy bouts to distract from a night of very little actual wrestling. It was a build-up show, trying to react and refocus, which it did fine, setting up several enticing feuds down the line. There just were not too many exciting moments.
The Cena return to Raw segment along with the excellent tag team match between Ambrose and Rollins and The Hardy Boyz made up the bulk of the best parts of this show. Will I remember this Raw in a few months? No but I may remember those segments which is worth something.
Overall, it was an average night that could have been much more especially given it was coming off such a huge event. Perhaps SmackDown will do a better job selling itself as a SummerSlam fallout show.