Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Tonight on Monday Night Raw, we have a big show for you. With SummerSlam just 13 days away, Bayley has sustained an injury that will keep her out of SummerSlam thus we will have two hastily constructed triple threat matches with obvious winners to face off next week for the right to lose to Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam.
Meanwhile, we are wasting a massive main event clash with Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match. In as generic a move as tag team title builds get, Dean Ambrose will face Cesaro because Seth Rollins faced Sheamus last week (though they'll also fight again). All this and more. Can you feel the excitement?
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
Meanwhile, we are wasting a massive main event clash with Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match. In as generic a move as tag team title builds get, Dean Ambrose will face Cesaro because Seth Rollins faced Sheamus last week (though they'll also fight again). All this and more. Can you feel the excitement?
Previous Monday Night Raw Review
I guess there's no more trust among Paul Heyman guys.
Brock Lesnar Previews SummerSlam With The Miztourage
Overview: The Miz called out Jason Jordan but got Kurt Angle instead who introduced a new guest for Miz TV: Brock Lesnar. The Miz quickly ran down Lesnar's poor chances of winning at SummerSlam with Paul Heyman quietly firing back by telling The Miztourage they could play the role of Lesnar's future opponents with Miz, Bo Dallas, and Curtis Axel taking F5s for their trouble.
Analysis: This served its purpose, and it is nice to have Lesnar around often right now. However, his appearances feel so secondary. As the current Universal Champion, you would think a bigger deal would be made of his appearances with more time devoted to having major angles for him. He has not interacted with anyone he's fighting in weeks.
Analysis: This served its purpose, and it is nice to have Lesnar around often right now. However, his appearances feel so secondary. As the current Universal Champion, you would think a bigger deal would be made of his appearances with more time devoted to having major angles for him. He has not interacted with anyone he's fighting in weeks.
Sheamus def. Seth Rollins
Overview: Seth Rollins came out on fire, but he struggled with the numbers game coupled with Sheamus's power. Cesaro distracted Rollins just in time for Sheamus to roll up Rollins for the win. Afterward, Rollins attacked them further only to get beat down and take the White Noise/diving neckbreaker without Dean Ambrose saving him.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was solid but again a bit under the ability of both men. The story here of Rollins picking this fight and being left alone this time was exactly how the story needed to be told. I just don't know that a rematch was necessary to set up this story. Rollins could have just had a segment with the team and got himself into a brawl he couldn't win.
Highlights:
- Rollins stomped Sheamus outside then dived into the hands of Sheamus before fighting out and sending him to the floor with a diving forearm off the apron.
- Sheamus crotched Rollins on the top rope then body slammed him on the apron.
- Sheamus began the Beats of the Bodhran but stopped early to stop the crowd chants then hit Sheamus with a rolling fireman's carry.
- Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick, but Rollins blocked it only to take a high knee which he fired back against with an enzuigiri.
- Rollins hit a Frankensteiner into a low-angle superkick.
Analysis: This match was solid but again a bit under the ability of both men. The story here of Rollins picking this fight and being left alone this time was exactly how the story needed to be told. I just don't know that a rematch was necessary to set up this story. Rollins could have just had a segment with the team and got himself into a brawl he couldn't win.
"Wait, aren't you famous wrestler Kurt Angle's son?"
Jason Jordan def. Jean Pierre Goulet
Overview: After Axel was injured earlier, Angle was forced to find a new opponent for Jason Jordan and picked out a random local competitor backstage. Jordan ran over the jobber with ease, throwing him around with ease before finishing it up with the belly-to-back pop-up neckbreaker.
Analysis: This push for Jordan is not going well with the crowd so far who could not have been harder on Jordan. The match was messy and sloppy throughout perhaps due to the jobber. It just was all the wrong way to be building up Jordan particularly for a match with Miz at SummerSlam.
Analysis: This push for Jordan is not going well with the crowd so far who could not have been harder on Jordan. The match was messy and sloppy throughout perhaps due to the jobber. It just was all the wrong way to be building up Jordan particularly for a match with Miz at SummerSlam.
Sasha Bank def. Emma and Alicia Fox to Advance to a No. 1 Contender Match Next Week
Overview: Bayley came to the ring with her right arm in a sling and was asked about losing her opportunity at Alexa Bliss. After talking about fighting through her injury, she promoted this as an opportunity for her best friend Sasha Banks.
As the first triple threat began, Bliss came out to watch this match from commentary. Throughout the match, Emma tried to play opportunist, stealing pins off Banks until she tried to roll up Banks out of a Bank Statement only to fall into the Bank Statement and tap out.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was tough to hear Bayley talking about her injury and losing such a big opportunity especially with Toronto's unwarranted mixed reaction (particularly given her situation). The match that followed was solid but sloppy with Fox especially struggling to kick out of moves properly. Of course Banks was going to win.
As the first triple threat began, Bliss came out to watch this match from commentary. Throughout the match, Emma tried to play opportunist, stealing pins off Banks until she tried to roll up Banks out of a Bank Statement only to fall into the Bank Statement and tap out.
Highlights:
- Banks sent Emma outside only to walk into a big boot from Fox.
- Emma sent Banks into the apron with a reverse wheelbarrow slam.
- Banks came out of nowhere with a shining wizard to Emma then double knees in the corner to both women.
- Banks hit double knees in the corner on Fox only to be knocked out of the ring by Emma who nearly stole the win.
- Banks turned the scissor kick into a backstabber and the Bank Statement on Fox.
Analysis: It was tough to hear Bayley talking about her injury and losing such a big opportunity especially with Toronto's unwarranted mixed reaction (particularly given her situation). The match that followed was solid but sloppy with Fox especially struggling to kick out of moves properly. Of course Banks was going to win.
Do you think they paired these two up just because Big Show's name starts with "Big"?
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. Enzo and Big Show
Overview: Enzo Amore brought out Big Show to talk about how they are the perfect team with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson interrupting, asking for a match where they could beat the two down. As Enzo continued to be isolated, Big Cass came out to distract Show with Enzo then taking a single-leg dropkick for the loss.
Afterward, Cass was ready to destroy Show, but Enzo attacked him and distracted him long enough for Show to recover enough for a Knockout Punch to Cass.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an awkward segment that made little sense. Cass got embarrassed. Gallows and Anderson felt out of place when they already have a feud they're involved with. If this had a positive purpose, I have no idea what it was, and it certainly was not the forward moving segment anyone needed with SummerSlam so close.
Afterward, Cass was ready to destroy Show, but Enzo attacked him and distracted him long enough for Show to recover enough for a Knockout Punch to Cass.
Highlights:
- Anderson was crotched on the second turnbuckle when he missed a dropkick to Enzo, but he got the tag to Gallows who stopped the hot tag to Show.
- Gallows booted Show off the apron then set up a Magic Killer only for Enzo to fight out of it and trying to roll up Gallows who turned out to not be the legal man.
Analysis: This was an awkward segment that made little sense. Cass got embarrassed. Gallows and Anderson felt out of place when they already have a feud they're involved with. If this had a positive purpose, I have no idea what it was, and it certainly was not the forward moving segment anyone needed with SummerSlam so close.
Bray Wyatt Keeps Finn Balor On His Toes
Overview: Finn Balor promised Bray Wyatt that he would finish any fight that Wyatt started, seemingly ready for Wyatt's mindgames. When Wyatt appeared, Balor immediately went after him, but Wyatt disappeared again and laughed at Balor from the titantron.
Analysis: While this should be knocked down a bit for asking Balor to talk a while solo on the mic, it was overall a simple and effective segment. Balor knows something about the supernatural and refuses to be intimidated by Wyatt. Wyatt then managed to show him how much more he can do than Balor knows.
Analysis: While this should be knocked down a bit for asking Balor to talk a while solo on the mic, it was overall a simple and effective segment. Balor knows something about the supernatural and refuses to be intimidated by Wyatt. Wyatt then managed to show him how much more he can do than Balor knows.
Sheamus uses Stare. It's super effective.
Dean Ambrose def. Cesaro
Overview: In a long physical bout, Cesaro dominated with his athleticism and strength, but Dean Ambrose refused to stay down no matter what he took. Sheamus tried to pull out a quick distraction, but Ambrose saw through it and rolled up Cesaro for the win.
Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus tried to continue the beatdown, but Rollins ran them off with Ambrose finally extending his fist to Rollins, only for Rollins to walk off.
Highlights:
Analysis: Where has this Cesaro been? His moveset opened up wide here as he almost carried this match on his own with Ambrose finally getting moving late in the match. It was a physical and fun match that got good time. Plus we got the perfectly booked save by Rollins that showed Ambrose he cared even when he was shunned earlier.
Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus tried to continue the beatdown, but Rollins ran them off with Ambrose finally extending his fist to Rollins, only for Rollins to walk off.
Highlights:
- Ambrose caught Cesaro with a clothesline off the ropes then began railing on Cesaro, leading to the corner where Cesaro popped him up into the air and head-first into the turnbuckle.
- Ambrose hit Cesaro with a slingshot plancha, but Sheamus distracted Ambrose to set up Cesaro to uppercut Ambrose into the barricade.
- Cesaro fought Ambrose on the turnbuckle until Cesaro jumped onto the top of the post from which Ambrose superplexed.
- Cesaro caught Ambrose effortlessly for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
- Cesaro locked Ambrose in a Candian backbreaker rack.
- After a pair of gutwrench suplexes to Ambrose, Cesaro lost Ambrose who almost hit him with Dirty Deeds which Cesaro reversed into a Sharpshooter that Ambrose blocked and sent Cesaro outside, going for a suicide dive into a jumping uppercut.
- Cesaro assaulted Ambrose with strikes then booted him away with Ambrose rebounding with a clothesline only to be quickly locked in the Sharpshooter.
Analysis: Where has this Cesaro been? His moveset opened up wide here as he almost carried this match on his own with Ambrose finally getting moving late in the match. It was a physical and fun match that got good time. Plus we got the perfectly booked save by Rollins that showed Ambrose he cared even when he was shunned earlier.
Akira Tozawa def. Ariya Daivari
Overview: An excited Akira Tozawa, finally healthy and officially the No. 1 contender, walked happily to the ring with Titus O'Neil on commentary to hype his client. Firing at one hundred percent, Tozawa took a bit of a beating but easily fought back and hit the diving senton for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: It's a shame this was the endgame for Daivari. He has gone from legitimate rival to annoyance and warmup too quickly. He showed how much potential he has as a performer and hopefully will get more opportunities after Neville vs. Tozawa.
Highlights:
- Tozawa fought out of a full nelson slam but was quickly slammed to the mat.
- Tozawa took out Daivari with a suicide dive then caught the arm of Daivari into a sudden suplex.
Analysis: It's a shame this was the endgame for Daivari. He has gone from legitimate rival to annoyance and warmup too quickly. He showed how much potential he has as a performer and hopefully will get more opportunities after Neville vs. Tozawa.
It's almost like Nia Jax intentionally injured Bayley to earn her own title shot. Shame WWE couldn't come up with such a complicated story.
Nia Jax def. Mickie James and Dana Brooke to Advance to a No. 1 Contender Match Next Week
Overview: As Bliss watched from commentary, Mickie James and Dana Brooke tried to eliminate Nia Jax and fight it out amongst themselves, but they were unable to keep her down for long. Jax wiped out both women before hitting Dana with a statement running leg drop for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was what it needed to be. Jax is too much of a dominant force to even look weak at any point in this match. She wiped out her competitors and set up the expected match for next week. While this is all to set up another Bliss vs. Banks match, I would prefer Jax winning and dominating Bliss to take the title.
Highlights:
- Nia threw Mickie into a dropkick through Dana.
- Mickie caught Dana with a neckbreaker then had her Mick-DT interrupted by a shoulder tackle from Jax.
- Dana ran into the power of Nia with a running clothesline.
- Mickie caught Nia with a crossbody but was thrown away when she went for a cover off the dive on Dana.
Analysis: This was what it needed to be. Jax is too much of a dominant force to even look weak at any point in this match. She wiped out her competitors and set up the expected match for next week. While this is all to set up another Bliss vs. Banks match, I would prefer Jax winning and dominating Bliss to take the title.
Braun Strowman def. Roman Reigns in a Last Man Standing Match
Overview: This was a brutal battle that raged through the crowd to the stage with neither man staying down. After a Spear down the ramp, Roman Reigns looked to have beaten Braun Strowman, but Samoa Joe broke the count by catching Reigns with a Coquina Clutch and knocking him out. Strowman barely rose in time to beat the count.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a main event. While it probably should have been saved for pay-per-view after all the build up of Strowman never staying down, Reigns and Strowman brought it like they were on PPV. They warred with many memorable spots that solidified this feud as the best part of WWE this year.
Highlights:
- Reigns dented the steps on Strowman's shoulder and chest with repeated shots.
- Strowman caught Reigns' Superman Punch into a bear hug then blocked a second by sending Reigns into the corner followed by a sudden powerslam.
- Strowman lifted Reigns high in the air only to take a Superman Punch.
- Strowman left his feet for a dropkick but then missed a charging shoulder to Reigns, hitting the post and falling outside.
- Strowman caught Reigns' Drive By with a clotheline into the apron.
- Reigns Samoan dropped Strowman through a table.
- Reigns ran around half the ring for a Superman Punch only to run right into an announcer chair that Strowman threw at his face.
- Reigns used the stage to hit Strowman with a Drive By only to then throw Reigns into the screen then running him into it.
- Reigns saved himself from going through the announce table by hitting back-to-back Superman Punches only to run into the knee of Strowman on a Spear attempt, rebounding quickly for a Spear down the ramp.
Analysis: This was a main event. While it probably should have been saved for pay-per-view after all the build up of Strowman never staying down, Reigns and Strowman brought it like they were on PPV. They warred with many memorable spots that solidified this feud as the best part of WWE this year.
You can see all the reasons Bray Wyatt hates Finn Balor just by how he's standing there. I guess. I mean, who really knows what Wyatt hates him?
Final Notes: Ambrose talked to Rollins backstage after he left Rollins to be beat down alone, making clear he wasn't going to take up Rollins' fight for no reason anymore. Strowman made clear he was ready to put down Reigns once more in an interview. Reigns was also interviewed, making clear he would always win.
Titus Worldwide celebrated backstage only for Neville to interrupt and question whether Tozawa was really a threat to him as well as wondering why he'd fight Daivari again who had nothing to lose. Goldust promised to watch SummerSlam very closely to find his next muse.
Cass demanded a match with Show for SummerSlam, asking for Enzo to be kept far away from the contest with Angle agreeing to have Enzo in a shark cage above the ring to watch the carnage.
Conclusion: The match quality of this show was shockingly high given most of the contests on the card. Cesaro vs. Ambrose was the particular impressive bout that had no right to be as good as it was even if the main event was always going to be incredible. The storytelling was largely strong as well.
Still, it would be nice to feel more urgency from Raw. SmackDown has been showing off lately by making it clear how important SummerSlam is with every story. Raw has had great matches and segments but lacked the strength and ferocity you would expect of wrestlers going into the second biggest show of the year.
There is clearly room for improvement, but it is also nice to see the talent getting into the right mindset. If the bookers can match their improving intensity next week, the final build to SummerSlam should be fantastic.
Titus Worldwide celebrated backstage only for Neville to interrupt and question whether Tozawa was really a threat to him as well as wondering why he'd fight Daivari again who had nothing to lose. Goldust promised to watch SummerSlam very closely to find his next muse.
Cass demanded a match with Show for SummerSlam, asking for Enzo to be kept far away from the contest with Angle agreeing to have Enzo in a shark cage above the ring to watch the carnage.
Conclusion: The match quality of this show was shockingly high given most of the contests on the card. Cesaro vs. Ambrose was the particular impressive bout that had no right to be as good as it was even if the main event was always going to be incredible. The storytelling was largely strong as well.
Still, it would be nice to feel more urgency from Raw. SmackDown has been showing off lately by making it clear how important SummerSlam is with every story. Raw has had great matches and segments but lacked the strength and ferocity you would expect of wrestlers going into the second biggest show of the year.
There is clearly room for improvement, but it is also nice to see the talent getting into the right mindset. If the bookers can match their improving intensity next week, the final build to SummerSlam should be fantastic.