Written by: Kevin Berge (All images courtesy of: WWE.com)
And now we see exactly why Tyler Breeze was in this match.
Dean Ambrose Demands Brock Lesnar and Gets a Title Match; Kevin Owens def. Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Stardust, and Tyler Breeze to Become the New Intercontinental Champion
Overview: Dean Ambrose came out first and talked about his match on Sunday against Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar, particularly focused on an angry Brock. He called out Lesnar, saying he failed to put down Ambrose last week. Stephanie McMahon came out instead to interrupt.
She then announced a fatal five way for the Intercontinental Championship, starting right now. In the match, Dean Ambrose cleared the ring early only to start getting stomped on by Kevin Owens. Tyler Breeze and Stardust got into it in the mess until everyone was on the outside and got taken out.
That left Ambrose and Owens again as they nearly hit their finishers and then had Stardust mess things up by clearing Ambrose from the ring. While Dean fought off Stardust then Breeze, he then got taken out by Ziggler. Owens saw everyone taken out in the ring and looked to take the win.
Owens took a Beauty Shot, but everyone broke up the pinfall. Ambrose then went for a Dirty Deeds but took a Zig Zag. Then Breeze took a pump up powerbomb and the pinfall loss. After the match, a notable frustrated Ambrose watched Owens celebrate up the ramp.
Analysis: This was a really strong start to the show. The talking was short and sweet, and it led to a really fun match between a lot of talented guys, many of whom deserved this spotlight but weren't getting it lately. It was especially cool seeing Tyler Breeze get a nearfall in the match. Even Stardust got in a few shots.
This match ultimately came down to Ambrose vs. Owens who were great together in their many moments one on one. Their feud may be over, but this was a cool way to flip the title back between them without them having to directly clash again. It was a real clever ideas by WWE even if "fatal five way" is a terrible name.
Owens was a good Intercontinental Champion before and will be again. I would have liked to see Dean Ambrose continue to raise the title's prestige by working at a near main event level with the championship, but it was clear for a few weeks now that they stopped considering him IC Champ the moment he was in the World Title picture.
She then announced a fatal five way for the Intercontinental Championship, starting right now. In the match, Dean Ambrose cleared the ring early only to start getting stomped on by Kevin Owens. Tyler Breeze and Stardust got into it in the mess until everyone was on the outside and got taken out.
That left Ambrose and Owens again as they nearly hit their finishers and then had Stardust mess things up by clearing Ambrose from the ring. While Dean fought off Stardust then Breeze, he then got taken out by Ziggler. Owens saw everyone taken out in the ring and looked to take the win.
Owens took a Beauty Shot, but everyone broke up the pinfall. Ambrose then went for a Dirty Deeds but took a Zig Zag. Then Breeze took a pump up powerbomb and the pinfall loss. After the match, a notable frustrated Ambrose watched Owens celebrate up the ramp.
Analysis: This was a really strong start to the show. The talking was short and sweet, and it led to a really fun match between a lot of talented guys, many of whom deserved this spotlight but weren't getting it lately. It was especially cool seeing Tyler Breeze get a nearfall in the match. Even Stardust got in a few shots.
This match ultimately came down to Ambrose vs. Owens who were great together in their many moments one on one. Their feud may be over, but this was a cool way to flip the title back between them without them having to directly clash again. It was a real clever ideas by WWE even if "fatal five way" is a terrible name.
Owens was a good Intercontinental Champion before and will be again. I would have liked to see Dean Ambrose continue to raise the title's prestige by working at a near main event level with the championship, but it was clear for a few weeks now that they stopped considering him IC Champ the moment he was in the World Title picture.
Hey, Mark Henry may not be very kind with The New Day, but at least he knows how to throw Xavier so that the trombone stays safe.
Big E def. Mark Henry
Overview: The New Day bashed Edge and Christian who they would be talking with on the Peep Show at Fast Lane. Mark Henry interrupted to get ready for his match with Big E. Big E didn't get any momentum in the ring against Henry, getting thrown around and bashed to the outside.
When Henry followed Big E outside, Big E used a New Day distraction to bash Henry into the steel barricade. Big E dominated for a while, but Henry wouldn't go down. With another distraction, Henry missed Big E, nearly took a Big Ending, then fell on his face, injuring himself enough to take the pinfall for the loss.
Analysis: The New Day feel entirely underused right now. This was not a good showing for them. Their conflict with Mark Henry didn't lead to anything here. In fact, I don't even know what the plan was with Henry. It looked like he got injured somehow late in the match, killing the ending.
While it was cool almost seeing a Big Ending to Henry, this all felt so useless. The New Day need actual rivals. Having them at Fast Lane in a talk show feels like a waste of the titles. Maybe it will lead to something be set for WrestleMania, but I have my doubts.
When Henry followed Big E outside, Big E used a New Day distraction to bash Henry into the steel barricade. Big E dominated for a while, but Henry wouldn't go down. With another distraction, Henry missed Big E, nearly took a Big Ending, then fell on his face, injuring himself enough to take the pinfall for the loss.
Analysis: The New Day feel entirely underused right now. This was not a good showing for them. Their conflict with Mark Henry didn't lead to anything here. In fact, I don't even know what the plan was with Henry. It looked like he got injured somehow late in the match, killing the ending.
While it was cool almost seeing a Big Ending to Henry, this all felt so useless. The New Day need actual rivals. Having them at Fast Lane in a talk show feels like a waste of the titles. Maybe it will lead to something be set for WrestleMania, but I have my doubts.
One step in this feud is missing: the valet vs. valet catfight between Ric Flair and Daniel Bryan.
Brie Bella Was Interviewed About Daniel Bryan and Her Match on Sunday at Fast Lane
Overview: Brie Bella talked about how great it was to hear her husband turn a terrible situation into a positive only to be interrupted by Charlotte. She berated Brie about her husband and sister, taunting her about not being there for her family as they heal. Brie realized Charlotte was scared, and the two brawled with Ric Flair saving his daughter by pulling her out of the ring.
Analysis: Similar to the Charlotte vs. Paige feud a few months back, this was an all-in segment for a feud that desperately needed it. After not giving any attention to the rivalry, the two finally got their one on one face off and did a good job with it. The story was exactly what you would expect, but it was told finally the way it should have been.
Brie Bella is sympathetic because she's the only one left. Her husband has retired, and her sister is injured. Brie is alone, and Charlotte wants to exploit that, playing mindgames with the woman who defeated her a few weeks back. The dynamic is straightforward but absolutely effective.
I'm not sure the match will be much to watch, but it should get time since this is actually one of the biggest matches on the card relative to a very underwhelming group of matches for Sunday.
Analysis: Similar to the Charlotte vs. Paige feud a few months back, this was an all-in segment for a feud that desperately needed it. After not giving any attention to the rivalry, the two finally got their one on one face off and did a good job with it. The story was exactly what you would expect, but it was told finally the way it should have been.
Brie Bella is sympathetic because she's the only one left. Her husband has retired, and her sister is injured. Brie is alone, and Charlotte wants to exploit that, playing mindgames with the woman who defeated her a few weeks back. The dynamic is straightforward but absolutely effective.
I'm not sure the match will be much to watch, but it should get time since this is actually one of the biggest matches on the card relative to a very underwhelming group of matches for Sunday.
The Calf Crusher aka the not Styles Clash because that's only for special occasion when possible breaking of necks is worth it.
AJ Styles def. The Miz
Overview: The Miz attacked AJ Styles as he entered the ring, but Styles still chose to start the match and got beat down early. Styles kept pulling out quick moves but had trouble getting momentum. Even when he got in some stiff shots, Styles got sent to the outside. However, a Chris Jericho distraction from ringside allowed Styles to take out Miz on the outside.
Miz went for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Styles turned it into a near roll up. Styles hit a series of big strikes then a pele kick. After a slingshot forearm, Styles couldn't get the win and fell right into a Skull Crushing Finale for a nearfall. Styles trapped Miz in the Calf Crusher, and Miz tapped.
Afterward, Jericho was ready to taunt Styles, but AJ talked instead, asking Jericho for a third and final match at Fast Lane to decide who was better. Chris decided to wait until SmackDown to give his answer.
Analysis: There are certain wrestlers that just click together, and Styles and Miz absolutely do. These two are electric together, fast paced with the right drama mixed in. Styles is bringing out a lot more in Miz than we've seen in a while. It almost makes you wonder why they sidelined Miz so long as a non-competitor despite being healthy.
It's too bad Miz has truly become the side character in this story. I would have loved to see a triple threat at Fast Lane, but, because Styles lost on SmackDown to Jericho, we need a straight up one on one decider between Styles and Jericho instead.
Styles and Jericho though have also been good together, and they could have easily the second best match of the night at Fast Lane. It will be fun to see AJ in his first PPV singles match in WWE.
Miz went for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Styles turned it into a near roll up. Styles hit a series of big strikes then a pele kick. After a slingshot forearm, Styles couldn't get the win and fell right into a Skull Crushing Finale for a nearfall. Styles trapped Miz in the Calf Crusher, and Miz tapped.
Afterward, Jericho was ready to taunt Styles, but AJ talked instead, asking Jericho for a third and final match at Fast Lane to decide who was better. Chris decided to wait until SmackDown to give his answer.
Analysis: There are certain wrestlers that just click together, and Styles and Miz absolutely do. These two are electric together, fast paced with the right drama mixed in. Styles is bringing out a lot more in Miz than we've seen in a while. It almost makes you wonder why they sidelined Miz so long as a non-competitor despite being healthy.
It's too bad Miz has truly become the side character in this story. I would have loved to see a triple threat at Fast Lane, but, because Styles lost on SmackDown to Jericho, we need a straight up one on one decider between Styles and Jericho instead.
Styles and Jericho though have also been good together, and they could have easily the second best match of the night at Fast Lane. It will be fun to see AJ in his first PPV singles match in WWE.
WWE has come up with some clever gimmicks in their time. The guys who will not use tables is not their finest idea.
The Dudley Boyz Once Again Denounce Tables
Overview: The Dudley Boyz told the audience that The Usos were not in the building tonight after the beatdown they got last week. They then hated on the crowd for defining them by tables. The two refused to have their legacies defined by furniture and would show soon what they could really do.
Analysis: This was basically a carbon copy of the SmackDown promo from these two last week. I don't actually think this was even remotely a useful segment. If the two men had waited until Raw to cut this promo, it would have been effective, built up more tension to this moment. Instead, the two seemed so useless here.
They still are much better as heels especially Bubba Ray who is thriving as perhaps the closest we'll get in WWE to Bully Ray, but this was not a good way to use them. I also find their "no more tables" gimmick a bit ridiculous. We get the point with them, but it's not like they have to only be defined by that as heels.
Analysis: This was basically a carbon copy of the SmackDown promo from these two last week. I don't actually think this was even remotely a useful segment. If the two men had waited until Raw to cut this promo, it would have been effective, built up more tension to this moment. Instead, the two seemed so useless here.
They still are much better as heels especially Bubba Ray who is thriving as perhaps the closest we'll get in WWE to Bully Ray, but this was not a good way to use them. I also find their "no more tables" gimmick a bit ridiculous. We get the point with them, but it's not like they have to only be defined by that as heels.
If you look close enough, you can see all zero of the people in the crowd who care about this match.
Summer Rae def. Paige
Overview: Summer Rae pushed Paige around to start the match then threw her around for a bit, only to meet Paige's fury who went after Rae. Paige repeatedly kneed Rae in the chest then fought around the ring, getting taken down by Rae's long legs.
Rae dominated proceedings again before Paige pulled out a surprise couple of kicks. Paige seemed ready to lock in the PTO but got grabbed by the head and rolled up for three. A shocked Paige stared down Summer as she celebrated her win, walking backward up the ramp.
Analysis: If the Divas Revolution is still in full swing, this would be the Divas Devolution segment. Paige and Summer were only out there to promote Total Divas. Their three minute decently wrestled match had zero crowd interaction. The energy in the entire arena was dead because there were no stakes at all.
Summer Rae's upset win should have been a big deal, but it didn't feel like it mattered. I couldn't even muster up the belief that this would somehow elevate Summer Rae's position in the Divas Division.
Rae dominated proceedings again before Paige pulled out a surprise couple of kicks. Paige seemed ready to lock in the PTO but got grabbed by the head and rolled up for three. A shocked Paige stared down Summer as she celebrated her win, walking backward up the ramp.
Analysis: If the Divas Revolution is still in full swing, this would be the Divas Devolution segment. Paige and Summer were only out there to promote Total Divas. Their three minute decently wrestled match had zero crowd interaction. The energy in the entire arena was dead because there were no stakes at all.
Summer Rae's upset win should have been a big deal, but it didn't feel like it mattered. I couldn't even muster up the belief that this would somehow elevate Summer Rae's position in the Divas Division.
For no reason in particular, Reigns has officially agreed to the friend vs. family stipulation of this match. He will now lose custody of his child if he loses the match. So many odds stacked against him!
Paul Heyman Warns Roman Reigns That He Needs to Watch Out for Dean Ambrose
Overview: Paul Heyman came out and talked about the main event of Fast Lane before calling out Roman Reigns, so he could speak to him one on one to his face. After Reigns came out, the two shook hands, and Paul told Roman that he would never win at Fast Lane.
Heyman even told Reigns a fantasy scenario of Reigns winning the title only to put doubt in Reigns' heart by telling him that he has to go through both Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose. In order to keep his promise to his daughter, Reigns needed to win, and he would have to go through his friend Ambrose.
Reigns said he would beat both men, and it didn't matter that Dean was his friend. After Heyman shook hands with Reigns, The Dudley Boyz attacked Reigns only for Ambrose to make the save. Ambrose then almost hit the Dirty Deeds, but Reigns fought out. After a brief moment of confused tension, Reigns laughed it off.
Analysis: This was a well meaning segment if nothing else. Reigns has been the third man in this feud for a few weeks despite being on the fast track to the main event of WrestleMania. It is almost as if they didn't want to do anything with Roman with Triple H out of the picture.
This brought Reigns back in and finally gave just the right amount of tension between buddies Reigns and Ambrose. Dean now has even more to fight for, smelling the opportunity now that he has lost his old gold. Meanwhile, Reigns has no qualms fighting Ambrose when the time comes but seems reluctant to see him as a rival.
Heyman was there to stir up that tension, but his words about the match being about friend vs. family was odd. That line and the seeming effect it had on Reigns felt very contrived. Reigns also did not win fans over by playing this whole segment off jokingly. That personality is not the one that will win people over.
I cannot tell you what the point of the Dudley Boyz attack was though. If only it had led to an actual main event instead of what we actually got.
Heyman even told Reigns a fantasy scenario of Reigns winning the title only to put doubt in Reigns' heart by telling him that he has to go through both Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose. In order to keep his promise to his daughter, Reigns needed to win, and he would have to go through his friend Ambrose.
Reigns said he would beat both men, and it didn't matter that Dean was his friend. After Heyman shook hands with Reigns, The Dudley Boyz attacked Reigns only for Ambrose to make the save. Ambrose then almost hit the Dirty Deeds, but Reigns fought out. After a brief moment of confused tension, Reigns laughed it off.
Analysis: This was a well meaning segment if nothing else. Reigns has been the third man in this feud for a few weeks despite being on the fast track to the main event of WrestleMania. It is almost as if they didn't want to do anything with Roman with Triple H out of the picture.
This brought Reigns back in and finally gave just the right amount of tension between buddies Reigns and Ambrose. Dean now has even more to fight for, smelling the opportunity now that he has lost his old gold. Meanwhile, Reigns has no qualms fighting Ambrose when the time comes but seems reluctant to see him as a rival.
Heyman was there to stir up that tension, but his words about the match being about friend vs. family was odd. That line and the seeming effect it had on Reigns felt very contrived. Reigns also did not win fans over by playing this whole segment off jokingly. That personality is not the one that will win people over.
I cannot tell you what the point of the Dudley Boyz attack was though. If only it had led to an actual main event instead of what we actually got.
Zack Ryder is confused right now because he has never worked a squash match before where the guy set to win kept telling him to hit all his big moves.
The Social Outcasts' Heath Slater def. Zack Ryder
Overview: Heath Slater repeatedly struggled to get anything going against Zack Ryder, getting taken out all over the ring. Ryder even hit a suicide dive on all of the Social Outcasts. However, as Slater was getting back in the ring, Bo Dallas distracted Ryder, allowing Slater to hit a big kick and a lifting DDT for the win.
Analysis: I couldn't believe my eyes when Zack Ryder was in the ring preparing to get squashed by... Heath Slater. My how times have changed for Slater with Social Outcasts. While I don't think it is necessary to ever have SO squashing people, it was an interesting dynamic.
The match was pretty poorly developed though as Ryder dominated all match. Slater only hit two moves, the two that won the match. It was very odd. Maybe Slater just doesn't know how to work a squash match from the perspective of the winner.
Analysis: I couldn't believe my eyes when Zack Ryder was in the ring preparing to get squashed by... Heath Slater. My how times have changed for Slater with Social Outcasts. While I don't think it is necessary to ever have SO squashing people, it was an interesting dynamic.
The match was pretty poorly developed though as Ryder dominated all match. Slater only hit two moves, the two that won the match. It was very odd. Maybe Slater just doesn't know how to work a squash match from the perspective of the winner.
Here we see the rare sight of Wade Barrett in a wrestling ring. Treasure it for he will be out of it again soon.
The League of Nations' Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, and Rusev def. The Lucha Dragons and Neville
Overview: Early on the high fliers took out all of the League of Nations, but the big men took over quickly. They tried to keep down the fast stars, and they did so by isolating Kalisto. Eventually, everything broke down with the ring clearing, leaving just Kalisto and Del Rio in the ring. Del Rio caught Kalisto's legs on the second rope and hit the double foot stomp on him across the ring for the win.
Analysis: The League of Nations is such a weird aberration in WWE right now. Once a group of unstoppable upper midcard guys, a few injuries have turned them into this weird question mark. Sheamus was in a cast a few weeks ago. Now that same arm is getting kicked and battered again. Wade Barrett seems to be perpetually injured with no explanation as to his ailment (I'm still not sure if he was supposed to be wrestling this match).
Rusev and Alberto Del Rio are the only guys who have stayed healthy, but Del Rio is wretchedly boring while Rusev has been played off mostly as a joke (though he is very funny). I could not care less about Kalisto vs. Del Rio anymore, and neither could WWE who moved it to the pre-show (though inexplicably also made it two out of three falls).
A lot of weird shuffling is going on in WWE right now, and it's becoming hard to keep up. When everyone is injured and not injured while everyone else is getting one week pushes and stops, it's becoming impossible to keep up. Also, that double foot stomp finisher this week? Dreadful, so incredibly contrived to try and bring interest to a one note match.
Analysis: The League of Nations is such a weird aberration in WWE right now. Once a group of unstoppable upper midcard guys, a few injuries have turned them into this weird question mark. Sheamus was in a cast a few weeks ago. Now that same arm is getting kicked and battered again. Wade Barrett seems to be perpetually injured with no explanation as to his ailment (I'm still not sure if he was supposed to be wrestling this match).
Rusev and Alberto Del Rio are the only guys who have stayed healthy, but Del Rio is wretchedly boring while Rusev has been played off mostly as a joke (though he is very funny). I could not care less about Kalisto vs. Del Rio anymore, and neither could WWE who moved it to the pre-show (though inexplicably also made it two out of three falls).
A lot of weird shuffling is going on in WWE right now, and it's becoming hard to keep up. When everyone is injured and not injured while everyone else is getting one week pushes and stops, it's becoming impossible to keep up. Also, that double foot stomp finisher this week? Dreadful, so incredibly contrived to try and bring interest to a one note match.
I wonder who it was that thought it was good idea for every single Diva on the roster to have a different shade to their hair and then proceeded to tell the Divas to go with the most outrageously fake colors imaginable.
Becky Lynch def. Naomi
Overview: Naomi with Tamina in her corner dominated Becky Lynch early with a series of kicks. When Becky Lynch got some momentum, Tamina interfered only to get knocked off the apron. Becky immediately then caught Naomi in the Dis-arm-her for the tap out.
Afterward, Tamina and Naomi beat down Becky until Sasha Banks made the save, and the two rivals but teammates for Sunday stood tall together in the ring as Naomi and Tamina retreated up the ramp.
Analysis: Last week, I watched Tamina defeat Becky Lynch and was happy about it. This week, I watched Becky win, and I was upset. Why? Despite Becky being my favorite Diva on the roster right now (and many one of my favorites to watch regardless of division), she has a story going with Sasha Banks, Naomi, and Tamina where there was supposed to be a sense of threat from the heels.
Instead, Naomi and Tamina looked like chumps this week, getting steamrolled and beat down ahead of Fast Lane, when it wasn't necessary. It looks like last week's attempt to make this story two-sided was just WWE 50/50 booking which they quickly forgot about as the two Divas with bigger plans get the only spotlight.
I am very excited for the WrestleMania season with Charlotte, Becky, and Sasha, but this just killed the slight interest I had in this Fast Lane filler match.
Afterward, Tamina and Naomi beat down Becky until Sasha Banks made the save, and the two rivals but teammates for Sunday stood tall together in the ring as Naomi and Tamina retreated up the ramp.
Analysis: Last week, I watched Tamina defeat Becky Lynch and was happy about it. This week, I watched Becky win, and I was upset. Why? Despite Becky being my favorite Diva on the roster right now (and many one of my favorites to watch regardless of division), she has a story going with Sasha Banks, Naomi, and Tamina where there was supposed to be a sense of threat from the heels.
Instead, Naomi and Tamina looked like chumps this week, getting steamrolled and beat down ahead of Fast Lane, when it wasn't necessary. It looks like last week's attempt to make this story two-sided was just WWE 50/50 booking which they quickly forgot about as the two Divas with bigger plans get the only spotlight.
I am very excited for the WrestleMania season with Charlotte, Becky, and Sasha, but this just killed the slight interest I had in this Fast Lane filler match.
It takes a certain kind of swagger to be lumped together as part of the "old guard" with Big Show and Kane, but Ryback almost pulls it off.
Big Show def. Braun Strowman by Disqualification
Overview: The Wyatt Family cut a promo before the match, talking about how they would bring destruction upon the world to unshackle it from its chains. Big Show came out and took a few shots right away from Strowman. The two both threw big right hands before Show got taken down by a shoulder tackle.
While Show tried to get his feet, The Wyatt Family descended upon Show, destroying him until Ryback then Kane came out to even the odds enough so that the big men reigned supreme to end the show.
Analysis: I cannot believe this was the main event of the go-home show for Fast Lane. That is almost inconceivable. This may have set up a match for the pay-per-view, but it did not even set up a top three match for that show. The match itself was ugly and three minutes long at most. It was barely a match.
There is something kind of exciting about watching The Wyatt Family monsters face the other WWE big men, but it doesn't just pop off the screen like a main event moment should. This could have easily been a middle segment on the show.
Honestly, the Heyman/Reigns/Ambrose segment should have main evented but been played off a bit longer with more tension. That match is the clear main event with clear hype around it. Whatever this was did not need and certainly did not deserve this spotlight.
While Show tried to get his feet, The Wyatt Family descended upon Show, destroying him until Ryback then Kane came out to even the odds enough so that the big men reigned supreme to end the show.
Analysis: I cannot believe this was the main event of the go-home show for Fast Lane. That is almost inconceivable. This may have set up a match for the pay-per-view, but it did not even set up a top three match for that show. The match itself was ugly and three minutes long at most. It was barely a match.
There is something kind of exciting about watching The Wyatt Family monsters face the other WWE big men, but it doesn't just pop off the screen like a main event moment should. This could have easily been a middle segment on the show.
Honestly, the Heyman/Reigns/Ambrose segment should have main evented but been played off a bit longer with more tension. That match is the clear main event with clear hype around it. Whatever this was did not need and certainly did not deserve this spotlight.
Stephanie McMahon is so alpha male with her husband that she even tries to out-man crush his man crush on Kevin Owens.
Final Notes: Dean Ambrose was interviewed about losing his title. He was frustrated but was ready to take a different step to the biggest title, facing Triple H at WrestleMania. Kevin Owens took Renee Young aside immediately after the interview and demanded she recognize his success. Dolph Ziggler interrupted and challenge the IC Champion for a match at Fast Lane, but Owens declined.
R-Truth's date was interrupted by Goldust who played the waiter only to ruin it by spilling the champagne on Truth's date. The League of Nations celebrated backstage until Renee Young found Del Rio and interviewed him with Del Rio challenging Kalisto to make their match a two out of three falls match.
Conclusion: This show started off so well. The opening segment was almost perfect. The talking was not too long, and it moved right into a crazy, emotion fueled title match. It felt like there was a lot at stake. Then the rest of the show happened. Sure, there were some highs: Brie and Charlotte's confrontation and Styles vs. Miz.
However, there were too many down moments, and the rest was so boring and lazy. I worry that my review will come off as tired and frustrated because that's how I feel right now. This is one of those shows that reminds me why three hour Raws are so tedious.
When Raw is good nowadays, it feels average. When it's bad though, it feels absolutely dreadful to slog through. This was supposed to be a go-home show for Fast Lane, yet it felt more like a set up show. More matches were booked for the show than developed. Everyone was rewriting the narratives of the matches on the fly.
Then of course there was the main event, legitimately one of the weakest attempts at a Raw main event in a long time. I don't know how the second half of this show got approved to air. I really don't.
R-Truth's date was interrupted by Goldust who played the waiter only to ruin it by spilling the champagne on Truth's date. The League of Nations celebrated backstage until Renee Young found Del Rio and interviewed him with Del Rio challenging Kalisto to make their match a two out of three falls match.
Conclusion: This show started off so well. The opening segment was almost perfect. The talking was not too long, and it moved right into a crazy, emotion fueled title match. It felt like there was a lot at stake. Then the rest of the show happened. Sure, there were some highs: Brie and Charlotte's confrontation and Styles vs. Miz.
However, there were too many down moments, and the rest was so boring and lazy. I worry that my review will come off as tired and frustrated because that's how I feel right now. This is one of those shows that reminds me why three hour Raws are so tedious.
When Raw is good nowadays, it feels average. When it's bad though, it feels absolutely dreadful to slog through. This was supposed to be a go-home show for Fast Lane, yet it felt more like a set up show. More matches were booked for the show than developed. Everyone was rewriting the narratives of the matches on the fly.
Then of course there was the main event, legitimately one of the weakest attempts at a Raw main event in a long time. I don't know how the second half of this show got approved to air. I really don't.