Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
The first of the two December pay-per-views, TLC 2016, occured last night, and now Raw must answer by stepping up the excitement for the second, Roadblock.
Last week, Roman Reigns earned a Universal Championship opportunity, and Sasha Banks overcame Charlotte once more to capture the Raw Women's Championship. Meanwhile, Rich Swann defeated The Brian Kendrick on the debut of 205 Live to become the new Cruiserweight Champion to further shake up Raw's title scene.
These huge matches are not sustainable, so WWE needed to take a more cautious approach with all its major developments.
Last week, Roman Reigns earned a Universal Championship opportunity, and Sasha Banks overcame Charlotte once more to capture the Raw Women's Championship. Meanwhile, Rich Swann defeated The Brian Kendrick on the debut of 205 Live to become the new Cruiserweight Champion to further shake up Raw's title scene.
These huge matches are not sustainable, so WWE needed to take a more cautious approach with all its major developments.
Seth Rollins would just like to remind everyone he is also in a feud with Triple H. He'll bring it up again in another month.
Kevin Owens Uses Seth Rollins to Give Chris Jericho Gifts
Overview: Seth Rollins started the show by calling out Triple H, knowing he would only come out once Rollins was Universal Champion again. He said his attack on Chris Jericho was the first step toward that goal which brought out Kevin Owens. He then berated Rollins for his actions against Jericho.
He refused to fight Rollins for his title again while announcing he would face Sami Zayn. He also said he got help from Stephanie McMahon for three gifts to Jericho: Jericho vs. Rollins at Roadblock, Jericho vs. Roman Reigns for the United States Championship tonight, and Rollins vs. a returning Big Show next.
Analysis: This was the fairly standard generic promo segment with random matches on the night announced. One day, WWE will find a more compelling way to set up their show such as opening with a wrestling match every time on a wrestling show.
He refused to fight Rollins for his title again while announcing he would face Sami Zayn. He also said he got help from Stephanie McMahon for three gifts to Jericho: Jericho vs. Rollins at Roadblock, Jericho vs. Roman Reigns for the United States Championship tonight, and Rollins vs. a returning Big Show next.
Analysis: This was the fairly standard generic promo segment with random matches on the night announced. One day, WWE will find a more compelling way to set up their show such as opening with a wrestling match every time on a wrestling show.
Looks like Seth Rollins is about to move over.
Seth Rollins def. Big Show by Count Out
Overview: Rollins seemed unable to faze Show early, but he managed to fight back which caused Owens to lose it outside. His berating got Show angry until he chokeslammed KO and left the ring to Rollins. Afterward, Rollins Pedigreed Owens.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was not a great showcase for Show off the bat, but he looks to be in great shape. If he is back full-time, that should improve his ability for one final run. Unfortunately, he has never been the most compelling face.
Highlights:
- Rollins rebounded off the ropes right into a shoulder tackle.
- Show slammed Rollins ribs-first onto the barricade.
- Rollins hit two springboard knees then a diving knee to finally bring down Show.
- Show turned a Pedigree into a back body drop.
Analysis: This was not a great showcase for Show off the bat, but he looks to be in great shape. If he is back full-time, that should improve his ability for one final run. Unfortunately, he has never been the most compelling face.
How does one get that white? It must take serious effort.
Jack Gallagher def. Ariya Daivari
Overview: In a rematch from last week's 205 Live, Jack Gallagher once more caught Ariya Daivari off guard with his athleticism and smooth technical style. Gallagher sealed the victory with a running dropkick in the corner. After the match, Daivari refused a handshake and viciously assaulted the back of Gallagher's left leg.
Highlights:
Analysis: Jack Gallagher may be the most unique performer in the whole cruiserweight division which gives him a high ceiling even though his look is more than a bit odd. They should invest in him. His feud with Daivari doesn't inspire confidence with how close to a squash this was.
Highlights:
- Gallagher walked out of a headlock with a handstand.
- Gallagher hit back-to-back dropkicks.
- Gallagher sent Daivari clear across the ring with a headbutt.
Analysis: Jack Gallagher may be the most unique performer in the whole cruiserweight division which gives him a high ceiling even though his look is more than a bit odd. They should invest in him. His feud with Daivari doesn't inspire confidence with how close to a squash this was.
So Strowman is too dangerous an opponent for Zayn but not the Universal Champion?
Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens
Overview: Sami Zayn utterly dominated this match throughout with Owens still nursing his wounds from Show's chokeslam. Zayn seemed poised for victory, but he walked into a surprise quick powerbomb for the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was as always a quality performance from these two, but does WWE really need to keep pairing them together? It was especially hurt by terrible storytelling. Strowman should have been involved here somehow, but he didn't appear at all.
Highlights:
- Owens caught Zayn in the ropes for an enzuigiri.
- Owens hit a somersault plancha on Zayn only to take a Zayn somersault plancha.
- Zayn landed a tornado DDT off the top rope onto the apron.
- Owens hit an avalanche sidewinder suplex.
- Zayn reversed a pump-up powerbomb into a half-and-half suplex then exploder suplex then Blue Thunder Bomb.
- Zayn landed an exploder on the barricade.
Analysis: This was as always a quality performance from these two, but does WWE really need to keep pairing them together? It was especially hurt by terrible storytelling. Strowman should have been involved here somehow, but he didn't appear at all.
TJ, let's get you a new taunt. That one got old a year ago.
Rich Swann def. TJ Perkins
Overview: This match was competitive throughout between good friends. They went fast then Rich Swann tried to ground TJ Perkins. Each man went for a big finish until Perkins dived right into a Swann kick to give the new Cruiserweight Champion a victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid match though not nearly their Cruiserweight Classic clash. Of course this was hurt by an almost dead energy from the crowd who could not care a bit about either man. They were more energetic for Gallagher and Daivari.
Highlights:
- TJP dabbed on Swann early, and Swann quickly answered with his own offense and his own dab.
- TJP tripped Swann with a very low dropkick then hit another low dropkick on Swann in the tree of woe.
- Swann reversed a kneebar into a roll up.
- Perkins dodged the Swann Kick then missed the Detonation Kick, quickly setting up the wrecking ball dropkick.
Analysis: This was a solid match though not nearly their Cruiserweight Classic clash. Of course this was hurt by an almost dead energy from the crowd who could not care a bit about either man. They were more energetic for Gallagher and Daivari.
But Foxy did it for love!
Bayley def. Alicia Fox
Overview: Alicia Fox came out angry after a backstage altercation over Cedric Alexander, striking viciously at Bayley. Bayley managed to weather the storm of Fox's offense though, firing back then locking in the Bayley-to-Belly for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: I like the way this was set up and executed, using a current story to give a filler match some relevance. It's just too bad that this match couldn't get a bit more time to be interesting. The two seemed like they might match styles well.
Highlights:
- Fox threw Bayley into the corner then hit a single leg dropkick off the rebound.
- Fox landed a Northern Lights Suplex on Bayley.
- Bayley countered a tilt-a-whirl into a press slam.
- Bayley caught Fox with a running close lariat into a rain of punches on the mat.
Analysis: I like the way this was set up and executed, using a current story to give a filler match some relevance. It's just too bad that this match couldn't get a bit more time to be interesting. The two seemed like they might match styles well.
I almost understand this college football reference.
Mark Henry def. Titus O'Neil
Overview: Titus O'Neil tried to market this as a huge match to watch, the Tussle in Texas, but this match lasted a mere six seconds as he ran right into a World's Strongest Slam for the loss. Henry celebrated his victory afterward with a handicapped veteran at ringside.
Analysis: The Titus brand story has been great comedic material, and I commend Titus for running with despite it being a huge downgrade for a guy who seemed like he had a chance to be a midcard star at one point.
Analysis: The Titus brand story has been great comedic material, and I commend Titus for running with despite it being a huge downgrade for a guy who seemed like he had a chance to be a midcard star at one point.
So this is how best friendship ends, with a sea of shocked faces.
Roman Reigns def. Chris Jericho to Retain the WWE United States Championship
Overview: Right before this match, Jericho told Owens not to be at ringside in his match. Jericho came out aggressive with punches and headbutts but ran into the buzzsaw that is Reigns. The two went back and forth throughout.
Just as Reigns dragged himself out of a Walls of Jericho, Owens snuck in and superkicked Reigns to allow a Jericho Codebreaker. It wasn't quite enough, and Owens' presence distracted Jericho who leapfrogged a Spear then took another Spear.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was probably the best we've seen from these two. Jericho looked competitive and energetic throughout to match up with Reigns. Meanwhile, this also was another great moment between Owens and Jericho who are looking fairly close to a permanent (right now just temporary) break.
Just as Reigns dragged himself out of a Walls of Jericho, Owens snuck in and superkicked Reigns to allow a Jericho Codebreaker. It wasn't quite enough, and Owens' presence distracted Jericho who leapfrogged a Spear then took another Spear.
Highlights:
- Jericho blocked a Superman Punch with a dropkick.
- Jericho connected with a diving crossbody to the outside.
- Jericho threw Reigns to the outside then connected with a springboard dropkick.
- Jericho connected with an elbow then a Lionsault.
- Reigns fired back with a Samoan drop then a Superman Punch.
- Reigns turned a Codebreaker into a deadlift powerbomb.
- Jericho tried to lock in the Walls of Jericho twice then succeeded the third time.
Analysis: This was probably the best we've seen from these two. Jericho looked competitive and energetic throughout to match up with Reigns. Meanwhile, this also was another great moment between Owens and Jericho who are looking fairly close to a permanent (right now just temporary) break.
Enzo was almost a face in this feud then he tried to sleep with Rusev's wife. If anyone is the promiscuous one in this feud...
Rusev vs. Big Cass Never Happens as Rusev Assaults Enzo in a Hotel Room
Overview: In a culmination of backstage segments early, Rusev was supposed to face Big Cass while Lana invited Enzo to her hotel room. Instead, it was a trap to allow Rusev to attack Enzo repeatedly in the hotel room with Cass far away unable to save his friend.
Analysis: This was an overlong set up for an obvious and unnecessary conclusion. Why did Enzo have to be isolated to get beaten down? Rusev was already destroying him multiple weeks in the ring. This whole feud is just a massive miss.
Analysis: This was an overlong set up for an obvious and unnecessary conclusion. Why did Enzo have to be isolated to get beaten down? Rusev was already destroying him multiple weeks in the ring. This whole feud is just a massive miss.
Is it bad that I really desperately want New Day to fall one day short of breaking Demolition's record?
Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Gallows and Anderson Goes to a No Contest
Overview: As New Day watched from ringside, the two teams New Day beat in previous week battled one another to gain one more shot at the champions before they broke Demolition's record. Sheamus jumped off the stairs with a double clothesline onto Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
However, this caused a brawl on the outside among all three teams to cause a double disqualification. Kofi tried to dive onto Sheamus and Cesaro, but he was caught and thrown into the rest of New Day. It was later announced New Day would fight both next week in a triple threat.
Highlights:
Analysis: This wasn't much of a match, but this was a quality idea, setting up a final triple threat right before New Day can break the record. In fact, both these heavyweight teams pushing New Day right at the end has made their title reign feel stronger than it has been.
However, this caused a brawl on the outside among all three teams to cause a double disqualification. Kofi tried to dive onto Sheamus and Cesaro, but he was caught and thrown into the rest of New Day. It was later announced New Day would fight both next week in a triple threat.
Highlights:
- Cesaro whipped Anderson into a Battering Ram.
- Sheamus hit the White Noise on Anderson on top of Gallows.
- Cesaro got amazing air on a diving crossbody to Anderson.
Analysis: This wasn't much of a match, but this was a quality idea, setting up a final triple threat right before New Day can break the record. In fact, both these heavyweight teams pushing New Day right at the end has made their title reign feel stronger than it has been.
The legend Ric Flair is now around on WWE's command, to cry for them.
Charlotte Berates His Father Once More While Making an Example of Sasha Banks
Overview: Charlotte Flair talked about her berating of Ric Flair and seemed ready to finally apologize for her words. Ric came out to accept her apology, but, after she hugged him, she slapped him. Then Charlotte destroyed Sasha Banks as she tried to come to Ric's aid and mocked her father again.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and excellent. Charlotte built up more heat with a far stronger promo on her father and a brutal beating to stack the odds in her favor before Roadblock. This feud needs as much of a spark as possible, and this was a great way to give it something more.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and excellent. Charlotte built up more heat with a far stronger promo on her father and a brutal beating to stack the odds in her favor before Roadblock. This feud needs as much of a spark as possible, and this was a great way to give it something more.
And Ric Flair just realized he was roped into a terrible segment where he facilitated a hotel room mugging.
Final Notes: Owens complained about facing Zayn tonight to Mick Foley then found Jericho, telling him about his gifts. Jericho did not seem impressed. Reigns found Jericho in the locker room and got in Jericho's head, questioning his true motives.
Enzo stood up for Lana backstage as Rusev berated her, and she threw her ring at Rusev. Enzo listened to her problems then was invited to her hotel room. Cass tried to warn off Enzo from going to meet Lana, but he failed then got into an altercation with Rusev to set up a match.
Banks challenged Charlotte to one final title match at Roadblock, in an Iron Man match. Enzo met Flair backstage who gave Enzo his limo to go meet Lana.
Conclusion: It was a fairly average night for Raw with no outstanding moment but a lot of solid moments. With so many matches, there really should have been more quality wrestling than there was, but everything felt a bit rushed beyond Reigns vs. Jericho.
As a whole, this was a strong way to keep building up Roadblock, setting up more major matches; however, I wonder if it was necessary to spread the show so thin. Raw could have been far tighter by focusing down several of the extraneous segments.
As a whole, this was a Raw that was easy watching but hard to remember once it was over. If the entire Enzo and Cass vs. Rusev section of the show was cut out, it would have been a particularly solid show but still lacking in big moments.
Enzo stood up for Lana backstage as Rusev berated her, and she threw her ring at Rusev. Enzo listened to her problems then was invited to her hotel room. Cass tried to warn off Enzo from going to meet Lana, but he failed then got into an altercation with Rusev to set up a match.
Banks challenged Charlotte to one final title match at Roadblock, in an Iron Man match. Enzo met Flair backstage who gave Enzo his limo to go meet Lana.
Conclusion: It was a fairly average night for Raw with no outstanding moment but a lot of solid moments. With so many matches, there really should have been more quality wrestling than there was, but everything felt a bit rushed beyond Reigns vs. Jericho.
As a whole, this was a strong way to keep building up Roadblock, setting up more major matches; however, I wonder if it was necessary to spread the show so thin. Raw could have been far tighter by focusing down several of the extraneous segments.
As a whole, this was a Raw that was easy watching but hard to remember once it was over. If the entire Enzo and Cass vs. Rusev section of the show was cut out, it would have been a particularly solid show but still lacking in big moments.