Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
While SmackDown was having Clash of Champions, Raw was riding the grand, heated feud where Braun Strowman and Kane tried to chokeslam them. Honestly, last night just tired me out, so I was just hoping going in that Raw could be a little better than the mess of wrestling SmackDown put on.
To be honest, Raw has certainly been better, but this is still a show driven by more than a few bad stories. Luckily, the recent trend has been toward longer engaging matches to keep up the energy during a long stretch to the Royal Rumble. It was fair to expect a solid night.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
To be honest, Raw has certainly been better, but this is still a show driven by more than a few bad stories. Luckily, the recent trend has been toward longer engaging matches to keep up the energy during a long stretch to the Royal Rumble. It was fair to expect a solid night.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Kurt Angle is fight-or-flight mode right now. Deciding whether to jump right out of his boots to escape or just start German suplexing everyone.
Kurt Angle Announces Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman vs. Kane at WWE Royal Rumble 2017
Overview: Kurt Angle tried to open the night with a decision about Brock Lesnar's next challenger before Braun Strowman then Kane interrupted to make their case. Brock Lesnar did not wait long to join the two with Angle announcing they would fight in a triple threat at the Royal Rumble. Angle bailed as the two brawled, ending in an F5 on Kane from which Kane sat up as The Beast looked back from the ramp.
Analysis: This triple threat is barely interesting and likely just a way to protect Lesnar by having Strowman and Kane do the heavylifting despite their lack of chemistry. I hate the execution of the announcement here as it was so lazy and started off the show slower than it needed to be.
Analysis: This triple threat is barely interesting and likely just a way to protect Lesnar by having Strowman and Kane do the heavylifting despite their lack of chemistry. I hate the execution of the announcement here as it was so lazy and started off the show slower than it needed to be.
Seth Rollins def. Jason Jordan to Earn a Match Against Samoa Joe
Overview: Jason Jordan interrupted Seth Rollins' entrance to make clear he wanted to face Samoa Joe now instead of Rollins. Samoa Joe set the two against each other, convincing them to fight for a chance to face him. Rollins threw Jordan into Joe who was watching outside then caught him with the KNEE back in the ring to win. Joe then wiped out Rollins.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was long enough that it started slow, but it really got going as the contest progressed. Even if fans are still against Jordan's singles run, I think he has clearly turned a corner. His performances lately are excellent with main-event time to prove his worth. He comes off like a star while his character keeps evolving.
Highlights:
- Rollins dived off the apron into the grip of Jordan who charged him right into the barricade.
- Rollins reversed the hold of Jordan and caught him with a lateral press followed by tripping him hard into the turnbuckle before having his low-angle superkick reversed into a capture suplex.
- Rollins caught Jordan with a Slingblade into a hanging jumping leg drop followed by a springboard clothesline.
- Rollins fought off a belly-to-back suplex then went for the KNEE with Jordan fighting it off but sent outside for a suicide dive with both making it back at 9.
- Rollins hit Jordan with a step-up enzuigiri but had his springboard reversed into a pair bridging Northern Lights suplex.
- Rollins headbutt Jordan off the top rope into a frog splash nearfall.
Analysis: This match was long enough that it started slow, but it really got going as the contest progressed. Even if fans are still against Jordan's singles run, I think he has clearly turned a corner. His performances lately are excellent with main-event time to prove his worth. He comes off like a star while his character keeps evolving.
How dare this Hideo Itami guy steal the GTS from he-who-we-do-not-talk-about! This is travesty! (Should probably add a sarcasm tag here)
Finn Balor def. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas By Disqualification; Finn Balor and Hideo Itami def. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas
Overview: Finn Balor barely seemed fazed by the numbers disadvantage against The Miztourage and was set to hit Coup De Grace on Curtis Axel before Bo Dallas attacked him for the disqualification. Hideo Itami came out to even the odds and set up an impromptu match. Itami won this with a low corner dropkick then a GTS on Axel.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a surprise twist on this segment. It looked like it would just be Balor running over The Miztourage. Instead it was a one-day-early arrival for Itami who is an awesome performer who can be a top star for the cruiserweights. In fact, this might even hint that there is more than just 205 Live for Itami to look forward which is what he deserves.
Highlights:
- Dallas missed a clothesline off the apron and was knocked to the floor, but it set up Axel to blast Balor with a forearm.
- Balor hit a series of clotheslines then tripped Dallas for a double foot stomp.
- Itami wiped out Axel with a diving clothesline then a busaiku knee.
Analysis: This was a surprise twist on this segment. It looked like it would just be Balor running over The Miztourage. Instead it was a one-day-early arrival for Itami who is an awesome performer who can be a top star for the cruiserweights. In fact, this might even hint that there is more than just 205 Live for Itami to look forward which is what he deserves.
Cedric Alexander def. Drew Gulak to Become the New No. 1 Contender to the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Overview: Enzo Amore made sure to put over his "padawan" Drew Gulak who then had his promised PowerPoint presentation interrupted by Cedric Alexander. While Enzo watched most of the match, he walked out early because of something on his phone which distracted Gulak to take a springboard clothesline into the Lumbar Check for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was solid and one of Gulak's best singles matches in WWE. There were a few odd moments especially when the two traded blows, but they clearly were motivated from the start here. I would have preferred Gulak win as Enzo vs. Gulak is a more interesting story, but Alexander should have a good match with Enzo and would be a good champion if they went that direction.
Highlights:
- Alexander wiped out Gulak early with a somersault plancha.
- Alexander tried to suplex Gulak to the floor with Gulak reversing it and sending both tumbling to the floor.
- Gulak and Alexander traded roll ups with Gulak then walking right into a standing Spanish fly.
- Alexander caught Gulak with a back kick then went for a handspring headscissors which Gulak then reversed into a single-leg-hook jaw lock.
Analysis: This match was solid and one of Gulak's best singles matches in WWE. There were a few odd moments especially when the two traded blows, but they clearly were motivated from the start here. I would have preferred Gulak win as Enzo vs. Gulak is a more interesting story, but Alexander should have a good match with Enzo and would be a good champion if they went that direction.
Wait, so is Absolution now done with Asuka? All that and they walk away? Sounds like a WWE story to me.
Asuka def. Alicia Fox
Overview: Alicia Fox showed off her impressive speed and cunning to get away from Asuka early on, but she was unable to keep Asuka down with her own offense. This allowed Asuka to come back with a flurry then rolling Fox into a cross armbar for the submission victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was more the match I was hoping to see between these two. Fox looked better while see clearly being outmatched by Asuka. If you want her to slowly run through the division, Asuka needs to be challenged a bit along the way.
Highlights:
- Asuka sent Fox hard to the mat for a cross armbar, but Fox got the rope quickly then rolled outside to hit a high kick into a big boot.
- Fox caught Asuka with a Northern Lights suplex, but she then whipped Asuka into the corner just to take a diving twisting back dropkick into a corner hip attack.
Analysis: This was more the match I was hoping to see between these two. Fox looked better while see clearly being outmatched by Asuka. If you want her to slowly run through the division, Asuka needs to be challenged a bit along the way.
Samoa Joe, Sheamus, and Cesaro def. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Jason Jordan
Overview: The only fresh member on the face team was Dean Ambrose, and the heels knew it as they isolated and dominated Rollins. After Rollins inadvertently hurt Ambrose during a dive, he was left alone with Jordan already eliminated from the action, and he walked right into a Brogue Kick for the heel victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an odd match mainly because it was clear from the start that Rollins and Jordan should not be wrestling again in the same night. Roman Reigns wasn't there for the night, so I guess they felt they needed the wrestlers to pull double duty. Despite this, Ambrose rarely did anything here before being apparently injured (and it's not clear whether that was kayfabe).
Highlights:
- Rollins caught Cesaro in the ropes with a hanging jumping leg drop then took him out with a slingshot forearm to the floor.
- Sheamus hit back-to-back Irish Curse backbreakers on Rollins then went for a third only for Rollins to turn it into a DDT.
- Cesaro caught Rollins' head and forced him away from his corner repeatedly before dumping him outside which caused chaos with Ambrose taking out everyone in quick succession.
- Cesaro big booted Ambrose off the apron then Rollins knocked Cesaro and Joe to the floor before hitting all three men outside with a suicide dive.
Analysis: This was an odd match mainly because it was clear from the start that Rollins and Jordan should not be wrestling again in the same night. Roman Reigns wasn't there for the night, so I guess they felt they needed the wrestlers to pull double duty. Despite this, Ambrose rarely did anything here before being apparently injured (and it's not clear whether that was kayfabe).
I know we're all excited for The Revival, but former tag team champions are back after a long hiatus. Oh, they were on Main Event. Same thing.
The Revival def. Heath Slater and Rhyno
Overview: The Revival looked a bit slow out of the gate against Heath Slater and Rhyno, but Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder's tactics began to show through as they kept Slater away from Rhyno then eliminated him just in time to hit a Shatter Machine on Slater for the win. Titus Worldwide were shown backstage taking notes on the action.
Highlights:
Analysis: It is great to see The Revival who have been woefully unlucky since debuting. As long as nothing ridiculous happens, these duo should soon take over the Raw tag team division. The division desperately needed some top depth, and Dawson and Wilder are more than that.
Highlights:
- Slater fought out of the heel corner with a leg lariat before Wilder tried to take out Rhyno before running head-first into Slater then barely managing to trip Rhyno.
Analysis: It is great to see The Revival who have been woefully unlucky since debuting. As long as nothing ridiculous happens, these duo should soon take over the Raw tag team division. The division desperately needed some top depth, and Dawson and Wilder are more than that.
Sasha Banks, Mickie James, and Bayley def. Absolution By Disqualification; Stephanie McMahon Announced Women's Royal Rumble
Overview: Elias tried to have a concert to make cleat he was ready to win the Royal Rumble, but Sasha Banks, Mickie James, and Bayley interrupted one at a time, causing him to walk out. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville took out Bayley and Mickie for a moment before joining Paige to triple team Banks, causing a disqualification.
As the attack continue, Nia Jax arrived to take out Absolution, hitting Rose and Deville with a double Samoan drop. However, Paige chop blocked Jax, leading to a beat down that had to be broken down by all of Raw's women's division running down to the ring. Stephanie McMahon broke it up and announced the first-ever women's Royal Rumble.
Highlights:
Analysis: This could have been a fun match if it went more than a couple minutes. Despite being the main event, this was all just a contrived way to get all the women in the ring at the same time for Stephanie to make her announcement. Still, I am really glad the women are getting a Rumble of their own. I'd expect them to knock it out of the park.
As the attack continue, Nia Jax arrived to take out Absolution, hitting Rose and Deville with a double Samoan drop. However, Paige chop blocked Jax, leading to a beat down that had to be broken down by all of Raw's women's division running down to the ring. Stephanie McMahon broke it up and announced the first-ever women's Royal Rumble.
Highlights:
- Mickie took out Paige with a spinning kick into a snap kick then a running forearm.
- With Paige distracted by brawls outside, she turned right into a diving clothesline.
Analysis: This could have been a fun match if it went more than a couple minutes. Despite being the main event, this was all just a contrived way to get all the women in the ring at the same time for Stephanie to make her announcement. Still, I am really glad the women are getting a Rumble of their own. I'd expect them to knock it out of the park.
Well, this was inevitable. You can't be around Seth Rollins too long without him injuring you.
Final Notes: Rollins, Ambrose, and Jordan all found Angle demanding a match against Joe, and they were instead given a six-man tag match for later. Bray Wyatt promised in a promo that he would not fight fair but would win the Great War against Matt Hardy. Matt later was shown playing chess with his goldfish Napolean before promising he was also preparing for the Great War.
Alexander was interviewed about his match and promised to take full advantage of his second chance by running over Gulak. Enzo found Jax backstage and looked ready to take the next step with her, but Gulak interrupted and demanded they talk because he wanted to apologize for failing.
Rollins was attacked backstage by Joe, Sheamus, and Cesaro while checking on Ambrose with Joe then dropping a crate on Ambrose's injured arm. Angle challenged Slater and Rhyno to toughen up to get more opportunities, and Rhyno told Slater he knew just what to do.
Conclusion: This was an ugly show that felt like it was just missing talent. They threw in a surprise return and debut to spice it up, but there was not much that will be remembered from this show. It was not a wrestling night but rather an announcement night with some solid and important announcements to be fair.
Chief among them was the women's Royal Rumble that everyone expected but is still an important moment for the company. Finally, there are enough women on this card to have a Rumble, and the talent level is enough that they could steal the show from the men.
It would have been great if that announcements and other moments on this show were delivered on a better overall product. This Raw was just tough to watch especially after the best match of the night opened the show.
Alexander was interviewed about his match and promised to take full advantage of his second chance by running over Gulak. Enzo found Jax backstage and looked ready to take the next step with her, but Gulak interrupted and demanded they talk because he wanted to apologize for failing.
Rollins was attacked backstage by Joe, Sheamus, and Cesaro while checking on Ambrose with Joe then dropping a crate on Ambrose's injured arm. Angle challenged Slater and Rhyno to toughen up to get more opportunities, and Rhyno told Slater he knew just what to do.
Conclusion: This was an ugly show that felt like it was just missing talent. They threw in a surprise return and debut to spice it up, but there was not much that will be remembered from this show. It was not a wrestling night but rather an announcement night with some solid and important announcements to be fair.
Chief among them was the women's Royal Rumble that everyone expected but is still an important moment for the company. Finally, there are enough women on this card to have a Rumble, and the talent level is enough that they could steal the show from the men.
It would have been great if that announcements and other moments on this show were delivered on a better overall product. This Raw was just tough to watch especially after the best match of the night opened the show.