Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
The Road to WrestleMania has led to a full rebranding and booking evolution for Monday Night Raw with more focus on in-ring work and a slick change to backstage promos. Not everything is perfect, but it has led to better weekly Raws than in months.
I find myself genuinely excited for WWE Elimination Chamber which has real stakes and focus even if the results of many of the matches already feel obvious and set in stone. WrestleMania is supposed to be the best time of the year for WWE, and it actually feels that way this time around.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
I find myself genuinely excited for WWE Elimination Chamber which has real stakes and focus even if the results of many of the matches already feel obvious and set in stone. WrestleMania is supposed to be the best time of the year for WWE, and it actually feels that way this time around.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
"You made me do this, Miz. You couldn't just stay down for the AA like you always do."
John Cena def. The Miz with Miz Forced to Enter the Elimination Chamber First
Overview: John Cena made clear he was worried about his career and needed to defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. The Miz interrupted and made clear he was willing to do what Cena never would which set off Cena, challenging Miz to a match where the loser would be the first to enter the Elimination Chamber.
After The Miztourage attacked Miz, Kurt Angle made the match official and banned them from ringside. After both men kicked out of the finishers of their rivals, Miz went for an avalanche Skull Crushing Finale only to have Cena turn it into an avalanche AA for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: The biggest issue in matches between Cena and Miz has always been that The A-Lister was never treated like a clear challenger to The Champ. Here though he looked great even kicking out of the AA for once. It was a fun main-event-level clash even if the two have never had incredible chemistry.
After The Miztourage attacked Miz, Kurt Angle made the match official and banned them from ringside. After both men kicked out of the finishers of their rivals, Miz went for an avalanche Skull Crushing Finale only to have Cena turn it into an avalanche AA for the win.
Highlights:
- Cena caught Miz running with an elbow setting up a tornado DDT.
- Miz trapped Cena in the figure-four leg lock with Cena reversing the pressure then turning it into an STF with Miz forced to get to the ropes.
- Cena caught Miz diving into an Attitude Adjustment with Miz kicked out his knee and hitting a low-angle spike DDT.
- Miz was running for a dropkick when Cena scooped him up for the AA for a nearfall then tripped Miz into position for an STF.
- Miz sidestepped Cena running, sending him into the corner right into a Skull Crushing Finale for a nearfall.
Analysis: The biggest issue in matches between Cena and Miz has always been that The A-Lister was never treated like a clear challenger to The Champ. Here though he looked great even kicking out of the AA for once. It was a fun main-event-level clash even if the two have never had incredible chemistry.
The Revival def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Overview: Gallows and Anderson showed off the nerd meter for The Revival before their match. Gallows and Anderson took exception and assaulted the Balor Club from behind as they were walking down the ramp. This was enough to help Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder to take the win with the Shatter Machine.
Highlights:
Analysis: I was not sure what to make of this rivalry at first, and it has not been well told all the way through. However, it is getting better with time as Gallows and Anderson become more credible with their face run. This was a solid match between two great teams, and it made this feel like a heated feud finally.
Highlights:
- Gallows chokeslammed Wilder out of the ring only to take a sudden chop block from Dawson.
- Gallows caught Wilder with a corner single-leg dropkick then a diving neckbreaker.
- Dawson threw Gallows into the barricade then distracted Anderson for a roll up with a handful of tights with Anderson still kicking out and hitting a spinebuster.
Analysis: I was not sure what to make of this rivalry at first, and it has not been well told all the way through. However, it is getting better with time as Gallows and Anderson become more credible with their face run. This was a solid match between two great teams, and it made this feel like a heated feud finally.
How dare Seth Rollins assume he deserves a spot that Apollo Crews earned by losing to The Miz!
Seth Rollins Demands a Spot in the Main Event to Qualify for the Elimination Chamber
Overview: Angle made a few big announcements, first that Ronda Rousey would sign her WWE contract at Elimination Chamber. He then announced Jason Jordan’s injury was serious and would keep him out of WrestleMania. Seth Rollins offered his condolences as he had also missed ‘Mania before, and he refused to miss the show this year.
He refused to be a tag team wrestler anymore, and he laid out his demand to face Brock Lesnar at ‘Mania. He asked Angle to add him to the Fatal 4-Way, and the GM asked the fans what they wanted before agreeing to the move.
Analysis: Rollins cut one of the best promos he has cut in a while here. It was nice to see Rollins energized and focused, building off his great tag team run. It is tough to say where he goes next with his prospective 'Mania opponent, Jordan, injured, but he should be back on track to main event status for Raw.
He refused to be a tag team wrestler anymore, and he laid out his demand to face Brock Lesnar at ‘Mania. He asked Angle to add him to the Fatal 4-Way, and the GM asked the fans what they wanted before agreeing to the move.
Analysis: Rollins cut one of the best promos he has cut in a while here. It was nice to see Rollins energized and focused, building off his great tag team run. It is tough to say where he goes next with his prospective 'Mania opponent, Jordan, injured, but he should be back on track to main event status for Raw.
Bayley def. Sasha Banks
Overview: Sasha Banks took over this match early by targeting the right arm of Bayley, and it was clear that Banks was not letting up on her friend. Even with the bad arm though, Bayley caught Banks on the second rope with an elevated Bayley-to-Belly for the win.
Nia Jax assaulted both women afterward and was interviewed on the ramp, making clear how much better she was than the last two women to take Asuka to the limit.
Highlights:
Analysis: Banks vs. Bayley again was a great clash. This was one of those women's matches I would have saved for a bigger stage, but it's not as though they haven't wrestled already. Bayley's win in her hometown was huge and welcome, and Jax again looks like a real threat to Asuka.
Nia Jax assaulted both women afterward and was interviewed on the ramp, making clear how much better she was than the last two women to take Asuka to the limit.
Highlights:
- Bayley jumped off the second rope with an arm drag into a dropkick with Bayley nearly rolling up Banks only to have to fight off a Bank Statement and nearly get rolled up.
- Banks planted Bayley with a running double knee drop then knocked Bayley down with a forearm and threw her through the ropes outside and dropkicked Bayley as she tried to return.
- Bayley caught Banks’ mid-corner double knee drops then took out Banks running with a clothesline.
- Bayley knocked down Banks with a bronco buster then side suplexed her out of the corner into a hanging stunner.
- Bayley caught Banks with a running knee then went for a diving elbow and missed which set up a Bank Statement in which Bayley was stuck for a while before making it to the ropes.
Analysis: Banks vs. Bayley again was a great clash. This was one of those women's matches I would have saved for a bigger stage, but it's not as though they haven't wrestled already. Bayley's win in her hometown was huge and welcome, and Jax again looks like a real threat to Asuka.
One day, Mandy, you might just become Trish Stratus. Sure, we'll go with that.
Absolution def. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James
Overview: The odd tag team of Alexa Bliss and Mickie James looked solid at first, but they could not keep up the cohesion of Absolution. After Mickie got separation with a neckbreaker on Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville knocked Bliss off the apron, allowing Rose to hit Mickie with the Bed of Roses for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: It is smart to keep the women in the Elimination Chamber all involved on Raw, but I could do with less extended performances from Rose. She continues to be the worst performer on Raw, yet she continues to rack up wins. At least Mickie and Bliss are a fun team to see revisited.
Highlights:
- Bliss mocked Deville by standing on her hair then set up Mickie to hit a running knee of the ropes followed by catching her with a headscissors takedown.
Analysis: It is smart to keep the women in the Elimination Chamber all involved on Raw, but I could do with less extended performances from Rose. She continues to be the worst performer on Raw, yet she continues to rack up wins. At least Mickie and Bliss are a fun team to see revisited.
Braun Strowman Shows Off His Musical Talent to Elias
Overview: Elias sang his Elimination Chamber Blues before Braun Strowman appeared with an upright bass and sang his own song. He then destroyed Elias, and, as Elias tried to escape up the ramp, The Monster Among Men broke his bass over Elias's back.
Analysis: Elias and Strowman have been basically the best part of Raw lately, and pairing them up is quality. It is weird WWE didn't more directly keep Cena vs. Elias building, but this meant we got Strowman singing and playing bass. You can't beat that.
Analysis: Elias and Strowman have been basically the best part of Raw lately, and pairing them up is quality. It is weird WWE didn't more directly keep Cena vs. Elias building, but this meant we got Strowman singing and playing bass. You can't beat that.
Cesaro doesn't need that mouth guard. Vince just likes him talking with it in.
Roman Reigns def. Sheamus
Overview: Sheamus frequently relied upon distractions from Cesaro to give him advantages against Roman Reigns, but it was not enough as Reigns kept getting back up. As Sheamus dived at Reigns, The Big Dog hit him with a Spear for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a good match as you would expect from these two though there was not much here to get excited about. Sheamus and Reigns
Highlights:
- Reigns bounced out of the corner with a clothesline and sent Sheamus outside then clotheslined Sheamus out the opposite side when he returned.
- Sheamus threw Reigns' shoulder into the post then hit him with the Irish Curse backbreaker then locked in the Texas Cloverleaf.
- Reigns booted Sheamus off him into a Samoan drop then went for a Superman Punch only for Sheamus to catch him into White Noise.
- Sheamus called for the Brogue Kick with Reigns answering with a Superman Punch then ran into a knee mid-Spear but then took out Reigns with a powerbomb.
- A Cesaro distraction nearly allowed Sheamus to roll up Reigns with Sheamus responding by immediately catching Reigns with a bicycle knee for a nearfall.
- Cesaro got launched into the crowd then took a Superman Punch with Sheamus using the distraction to attack Reigns then block the Drive By with a clothesline.
Analysis: This was a good match as you would expect from these two though there was not much here to get excited about. Sheamus and Reigns
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor def. Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy, and Apollo Crews to Potentially Qualify for the Men's Elimination Chamber Match
Overview: The action in this match was fierce throughout. Bray Wyatt eliminated Matt Hardy from the action with a Sister Abigail on the floor then was caught trying to suplerplex Crews into a Tower of Doom with Rollins and Balor on the bottom. Both men covered the other two and got the three at the same time.
Confusion ended the show as the referee argued with both men over the finish with no resolution.
Highlights:
Analysis: I honestly couldn't even fully keep up with all the action in this match. It was a complete signature spot fest, and it was a lot of fun to watch. Crews especially stood out with a competitive showing right to the end against top opponents. The finish was poorly delivered though and likely will be resolved next week.
Confusion ended the show as the referee argued with both men over the finish with no resolution.
Highlights:
- Balor took out Rollins with a standing double foot stomp then suckered Wyatt in for a standing elbow drop.
- Matt went for a Razor's Edge on Balor before Rollins superkicked him only for Balor to respond by hitting Rollins with a Slingblade and taking a superkick.
- Wyatt went for a Sister Abigail and nearly got rolled up by Rollins.
- Wyatt broke up the Tower of Doom spot then clotheslined Matt, took out Rollins with a throat-breaker, then a uranage to Crews.
- Rollins hit Crews with a superplex into the Falcon Arrow then went for the Ripcord only for Crews to roll outside before Rollins turned into a Wyatt clothesline.
- Balor caught Wyatt with a Slingblade into the corner dropkick, but Rollins caught Balor before a Coup De Grace and went for a Phoenix Splash only to miss with Wyatt fighting off Balor before walking into a Twist of Fate.
- Balor hit the Coup De Grace on Matt as he was pinning Wyatt then Rollins hit Balor with the Curb Stomp, but Crews broke it up.
- Crews went for a military press slam then caught Rollins with a Samoan drop into an immediate standing moonsault with Rollins fighting off the spin-out powerbomb before Crews fought off the Ripcord Knee with an enzuigiri into a standing shooting star press.
Analysis: I honestly couldn't even fully keep up with all the action in this match. It was a complete signature spot fest, and it was a lot of fun to watch. Crews especially stood out with a competitive showing right to the end against top opponents. The finish was poorly delivered though and likely will be resolved next week.
We just don't deserve Braun Strowman. Induct him into the Hall of Fame already.
Backstage Notes: Broken Hardy cut a promo on his Fatal 4-Way opponents, promising to make the Elimination Chamber the Deletion Chamber. Wyatt made clear he was the only one deserving of the final spot in the Chamber. Titus Worldwide conducted an interview of Crews who promised to do the brand proud.
Reigns questioned Rollins about inserting himself in the Chamber before Cesaro and Sheamus arrived to make fun of them before Reigns promised he would shut up Sheamus tonight. Balor cut a selfie promo on all his opponents and made clear he was entirely focused on the Universal Championship.
A video package was shown to put over Asuka’s undefeated streak and the impressive stats associated with it. Bliss tried to clear the air with Mickie and get her on her side, and Mickie more or less accepted but promised to take the title when it came time to win. Ivory's Hall of Fame induction was announced with a video package.
Conclusion: This was a pretty strong show again overall. The wrestling quality on display every week is impressive. It feels like the original idea for three-hour Raws has finally come full circle with at least three quality showings every week. I welcome it even through some questionable storytelling.
This week did falter a bit in delivering its stories. The main event was marred by a poorly handled finish that could have been better booked and better delivered to make the moment feel less awkward. It just took away from the whole build, basically throwing a "To Be Continued" label on the end.
Reigns vs. Sheamus was also a bit unnecessary, but at least it got all the stars involved in the show. Overall, it was another strong week that makes me again want to rate this Raw highly. If this is the norm going forward, I will have to start grading on a new scale.
Reigns questioned Rollins about inserting himself in the Chamber before Cesaro and Sheamus arrived to make fun of them before Reigns promised he would shut up Sheamus tonight. Balor cut a selfie promo on all his opponents and made clear he was entirely focused on the Universal Championship.
A video package was shown to put over Asuka’s undefeated streak and the impressive stats associated with it. Bliss tried to clear the air with Mickie and get her on her side, and Mickie more or less accepted but promised to take the title when it came time to win. Ivory's Hall of Fame induction was announced with a video package.
Conclusion: This was a pretty strong show again overall. The wrestling quality on display every week is impressive. It feels like the original idea for three-hour Raws has finally come full circle with at least three quality showings every week. I welcome it even through some questionable storytelling.
This week did falter a bit in delivering its stories. The main event was marred by a poorly handled finish that could have been better booked and better delivered to make the moment feel less awkward. It just took away from the whole build, basically throwing a "To Be Continued" label on the end.
Reigns vs. Sheamus was also a bit unnecessary, but at least it got all the stars involved in the show. Overall, it was another strong week that makes me again want to rate this Raw highly. If this is the norm going forward, I will have to start grading on a new scale.
