Written by: Kevin Berge (All images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It's been a good time to be a wrestling fan, but I know how these openings typically go. The more I praise WWE, the more the company lets me down. Thus, I'll try to avoid being too strongly positive. The truth is the direction of the company is smart right now.
It has led to great wrestling and a tighter product with talent all headed in the right direction. Moreover, the company finally seems to have just accepted that progress can be made without calling it history or overemphasizing it. Just be fair to the talent, and they will deliver.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
It has led to great wrestling and a tighter product with talent all headed in the right direction. Moreover, the company finally seems to have just accepted that progress can be made without calling it history or overemphasizing it. Just be fair to the talent, and they will deliver.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Nobody kicks out of Sister Abigail, except Roman Reign, because he kicks out of everything.
Roman Reigns def. Bray Wyatt to Qualify for the Men's Elimination Chamber Match
Overview: Bray Wyatt cut a promo on the Elimination Chamber, remembering his rivalry with Roman Reigns and his win last year, even calling Reigns' recent work as a failure. Reigns responded in his own promo saying he always recovered from losses, using tonight as the first step to taking out Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
Wyatt dominated the action in this match consistently, countering Reigns best shots and grinding him down, but he could not keep him down. As Wyatt went for a second Sister Abigail, Reigns powered out, bounced off the ropes, and hit a Spear for the win. Matt Hardy was watching the action backstage before taking out Wyatt with the Twist of Fate afterward.
Highlights:
Analysis: This is how Raw should always start. The promos were short and effective, and the action was already moving quickly by the two minute mark. Reigns and Wyatt were not a perfect pair, but they usually put on good matches. This was no exception and another great TV match to start the year.
Wyatt dominated the action in this match consistently, countering Reigns best shots and grinding him down, but he could not keep him down. As Wyatt went for a second Sister Abigail, Reigns powered out, bounced off the ropes, and hit a Spear for the win. Matt Hardy was watching the action backstage before taking out Wyatt with the Twist of Fate afterward.
Highlights:
- Wyatt ducked a charging Reigns and sent him crashing shoulder-first into the post.
- Reigns took down Wyatt with a leaping clothesline then went for a Drive By only to run straight into a clothesline then be thrown into the steel steps.
- Reigns battled back with a Samoan drop then was caught mid-corner clotheslines with a uranage attempt that Reigns fought off with an elbow strike only to run headlong into a running elbow from Wyatt.
- Wyatt set up Reigns on the top rope before being repeatedly headbutt off the top then took a running sit-out powerbomb.
- Wyatt countered the Superman Punch into a uranage then running senton.
- Reigns caught Wyatt with a Superman Punch and went for the Spear which Wyatt countered into a big boot then Sister Abigail for a big nearfall.
Analysis: This is how Raw should always start. The promos were short and effective, and the action was already moving quickly by the two minute mark. Reigns and Wyatt were not a perfect pair, but they usually put on good matches. This was no exception and another great TV match to start the year.
Finn Balor and Karl Anderson def. The Revival
Overview: The Revival cut a promo before the match, making clear they were tag team specialists, and they demanded the singles match with Finn Balor be turned into a tag match. Karl Anderson decided to be the second man. While Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder managed to isolate Balor for a while, they were still outmatched with Balor hitting Dawson with the Coup De Grace.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine, but I don't know what slipping Balor into this tag team feud does for anyone. Balor basically seemed to be laughing off his huge loss from last week, and it eventually was announced that he would get a second chance to enter the Chamber next week which makes this match even more a waste of time.
Highlights:
- Balor and Anderson hit side-by-side back body drops.
- Balor hit a standing double foot stomp to get the hot tag to Anderson who hit a single-leg dropkick into a corner step-up boot and diving neckbreaker.
- Anderson caught Dawson with a spinebuster then tagged in Balor before hitting Wilder with a somersault plancha.
Analysis: This match was fine, but I don't know what slipping Balor into this tag team feud does for anyone. Balor basically seemed to be laughing off his huge loss from last week, and it eventually was announced that he would get a second chance to enter the Chamber next week which makes this match even more a waste of time.
At this point, these are your top cruiserweight stars.
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali def. Drew Gulak and Tony Nese
Overview: New 205 Live general manager Drake Maverick was on commentary for this match, talking up building excitement and some interesting surprises to come. Alexander hurt his shoulder early in the match, but he still managed to keep rolling, taking out Drew Gulak with a slingshot clothesline into the Lumbar Check for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was nice to hear more from Maverick who is a charismatic talker that should be a great addition to 205 Live, but the match here was the generic tag team action that has never made the cruiserweights too popular on the main roster. The tournament right now makes it much more exciting to watch 205 Live at least.
Highlights:
- Ali hit Nese with a jumping headscissors takedown then tagged in Alexander who got goozled by Nese on the top rope.
- Gulak clotheslined Alexander off the top rope, landing him hard on his shoulder.
- Nese dropkicked Gulak then elbowed him into a diving tornado DDT followed by Alexander taking out Nese with a somersault plancha.
Analysis: It was nice to hear more from Maverick who is a charismatic talker that should be a great addition to 205 Live, but the match here was the generic tag team action that has never made the cruiserweights too popular on the main roster. The tournament right now makes it much more exciting to watch 205 Live at least.
Kurt Angle Announces Two Huge Women's Matches for WWE Elimination Chamber
Overview: Kurt Angle announced Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, and Sasha Banks would be inside the Chamber. He also announced Nia Jax would face Asuka with Jax earning a title shot at WrestleMania if she won. Alexa Bliss came out to complain about defending her title in the Chamber, but Angle did not relent.
Analysis: Angle is such an awkward promo. He really did not do a great job explaining the logic of why Bliss had to defend her title, but Brock Lesnar did not. He barely even got out the announcements correctly. He also did a poor job of explaining why Jax isn't in the Chamber, a decision that will likely hurt the Chamber match quality.
Analysis: Angle is such an awkward promo. He really did not do a great job explaining the logic of why Bliss had to defend her title, but Brock Lesnar did not. He barely even got out the announcements correctly. He also did a poor job of explaining why Jax isn't in the Chamber, a decision that will likely hurt the Chamber match quality.
Bayley getting flashbacks to her NXT days and reminded suddenly she used to be a big deal.
Asuka def. Bayley
Overview: Bayley showed she had stepped up her game in this rematch with Asuka on the main roster, but her ability to keep up was still not enough to take down the Empress. After the two traded a series of near finishes, Asuka flipped Bayley into the cross armbar for the submission. Afterward, the two shook hands in respect.
Highlights:
Analysis: Finally, it feels like WWE is letting Asuka loose, and it means weekly great TV matches from the women. While Asuka and Bayley have had better matches, they were not that much better than this. These two were great here, and it was as good as Bayley has looked in months.
Highlights:
- Asuka caught herself on the second rope only for Bayley to elbow her to the floor.
- Bayley took out Asuka sliding outside with a headscissors takedown with Asuka responding with a hip attack only to be thrown shoulder-first into the barricade.
- Bayley caught Asuka's hip attack and hit her with a side suplex.
- Asuka took out Bayley with a series of kicks then a low-angle hip attack and a shining wizard with Bayley ducking a missile dropkick and hitting a running knee.
- Bayley fought off the Asuka Lock and knocked Asuka outside before diving off the apron right into a snap kick to the face.
- Asuka nearly turned the Bayley-to-Belly into a cross armbar then tried to transition into the Asuka Lock before Bayley rolled her up for a nearfall.
Analysis: Finally, it feels like WWE is letting Asuka loose, and it means weekly great TV matches from the women. While Asuka and Bayley have had better matches, they were not that much better than this. These two were great here, and it was as good as Bayley has looked in months.
The Miz def. Apollo Crews to Qualify for the Men's Elimination Chamber Match
Overview: The Miz made clear 2018 was his year, and he would soon be a double champion by defeating Lesnar. Apollo Crews though made Miz look out of sorts often in this match with his insane driven athleticism, but Miz dropped him crotch first on the top rope followed by the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was basically a showcase match for Crews, and it worked despite Miz and Crews lacking much chemistry. He probably should not have even been in a qualifier, but too many injuries have left him as a final option. He was good enough here to make Miz's qualification hard fought.
Highlights:
- Miz and Crews traded roll ups in various forms before Miz dodged a forearm strike only to take a spinning back elbow.
- Crews planted Miz with a dropkick then caught him for a gorilla press slam before going for a standing moonsault right into Miz's knees.
- Crews landed an enzuigiri on Miz then caught Miz's Awesome Clothesline for a capture suplex into a standing moonsault right into a standing shooting star press.
- Crews dodged the Skull Crushing Finale and nearly reversed it into a roll up finish.
Analysis: This was basically a showcase match for Crews, and it worked despite Miz and Crews lacking much chemistry. He probably should not have even been in a qualifier, but too many injuries have left him as a final option. He was good enough here to make Miz's qualification hard fought.
Nobody kicks out of the diving neckbreaker/White Noise, except Roman Reign, because he kicks out of everything.
Sheamus and Cesaro def. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns By Disqualification to Retain the Raw Tag Team Championships
Overview: Just before the match, Jason Jordan had to tell Seth Rollins he was not cleared to wrestle with Reigns arriving to take his place. Jason Jordan came out to help Rollins and Reigns, and it was working until he was incensed into hitting Cesaro which got the faces disqualified.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a good match, but it was a bit rushed. It likely did not help that Reigns was fighting for the second time tonight after a long match to start the night. This pairing could eventually be a showstealer, but we may never get to see it as this was supposedly Rollins' last chance at the tag titles.
I don't know what to make of Jordan's situation. The latest rumors about injury sound bad, but this was clearly about building to Rollins vs. Jordan down the line. He probably would need to be healthy by WrestleMania to make sense of WWE's booking.
Highlights:
- Reigns big booted Cesaro then Rollins clotheslined Rollins outside before going for a suicide dive with Sheamus catching him for a backbreaker, distracting Reigns for a running corner European uppercut.
- Cesaro and Sheamus double clotheslined Reigns than Cesaro distracted the referee for a snap kick from Sheamus into a pop-up European uppercut.
- Reigns clotheslined Cesaro to the outside only for Sheamus to take him out and set up the diving neckbreaker/White Noise for a nearfall.
- Reigns got separation with a Samoan drop, but Rollins was not taken out with Reigns forced to hit a Superman Punch as well to get the hot tag.
- Rollins took out Cesaro with a slingshot clothesline into a blockbuster then caught Sheamus with a suicide dive into a jumping leg drop on the apron and another suicide dive to Cesaro before hitting him with a Slingblade.
- Rollins missed the Curb Stomp then was dumped on the top rope only to slip off into a suplex followed by a Falcon Arrow.
- Jordan grabbed the leg of Cesaro to set up a roll up then a low superkick with Sheamus saving the pinfall.
Analysis: This was a good match, but it was a bit rushed. It likely did not help that Reigns was fighting for the second time tonight after a long match to start the night. This pairing could eventually be a showstealer, but we may never get to see it as this was supposedly Rollins' last chance at the tag titles.
I don't know what to make of Jordan's situation. The latest rumors about injury sound bad, but this was clearly about building to Rollins vs. Jordan down the line. He probably would need to be healthy by WrestleMania to make sense of WWE's booking.
Nia Jax def. Vanessa Floyd
Overview: Before her match, a video package was shown, hyping Jax's dominance. She made quick work of her local competition, winning with a running leg drop. She was then interviewed by Renee Young and made clear she was the only one who did not fear Asuka.
Analysis: This did its job, but is it really necessary to protect the division by having Jax take out a jobber? Dana Brooke would have been just fine losing here, and it could have been a bit more interesting and competitive.
Analysis: This did its job, but is it really necessary to protect the division by having Jax take out a jobber? Dana Brooke would have been just fine losing here, and it could have been a bit more interesting and competitive.
At this point, Sonya Deville is considered a major member of the women's division.
Mickie James def. Sonya Deville
Overview: Mickie James came out swinging in a physical contest where she tried to keep Sonya Deville off edge. However, she was wildly outmatched in the striking game with Mandy Rose also helping, managing to barely survive by rolling up Deville for three. Absolution immediately afterward attacked Mickie with Alexa Bliss pulling her to safety.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fine match that almost got interesting as Mickie got physical early on, but it ended up quickly turning into a sloppy dominant performance from Sonya. The one interesting thing here was Bliss helping Mickie, likely to try and find an ally inside the Chamber. It gives Mickie more of a story heading into the match.
Highlights:
- Mickie slapped Sonya immediately which injured Sonya's nose followed by a bronco buster into a snap kick/bicycle kick combo.
- Mickie kneed the nose of Sonya repeatedly then snapmared Sonya into position for a running low-angle running knee.
- Rose distracted Mickie mid-headscissors allowing Sonya to toss Mickie to the mat.
- Sonya planted Mickie with a running snap knee before Mickie fought back with strikes even as Sonya pummeled her into the mat.
Analysis: This was a fine match that almost got interesting as Mickie got physical early on, but it ended up quickly turning into a sloppy dominant performance from Sonya. The one interesting thing here was Bliss helping Mickie, likely to try and find an ally inside the Chamber. It gives Mickie more of a story heading into the match.
Elias def. John Cena and Braun Strowman to Earn the Right to Be the Last to Enter in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match
Overview: Elias sang a song for Braun Strowman and John Cena. Cena and Elias tried to team up and take out Strowman, and they mostly succeeded. However, The Monster Among Men returned and running powerslammed Cena only to be knocked out of the ring by Elias who then stole the pin for the win.
Afterward, Strowman angrily destroyed everyone, repeatedly hitting running powerslams on both men and standing tall.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fun but short match for such a big main event. The whole focus was on Strowman as he continues to be the biggest star on Raw. It was cool that it all led to Elias getting such a massive victory even if Strowman was always going to get the last say. It has really been a huge year for Elias.
Afterward, Strowman angrily destroyed everyone, repeatedly hitting running powerslams on both men and standing tall.
Highlights:
- Cena nearly caught Strowman running with an AA, but he fell down with Elias attacking Strowman only to be thrown across the ring and clotheslined outside.
- Cena hit a shoulder tackle on Strowman followed by a running high knee from Elias before double clotheslining him outside.
- Cena and Elias drove Strowman repeatedly into the post before throwing him into the steps before Cena smacked Strowman with the steps to set up a guitar shot and an AA on the steps.
Analysis: This was a fun but short match for such a big main event. The whole focus was on Strowman as he continues to be the biggest star on Raw. It was cool that it all led to Elias getting such a massive victory even if Strowman was always going to get the last say. It has really been a huge year for Elias.
A reminder that this is the true top champion of Raw, and we all are blessed by that fact.
Backstage Notes: Rollins questioned if Jordan would be able to wrestle with all his injuries, but Jordan promised he was ready to compete tonight. Banks was shown repeatedly watching her loss to Asuka before Bayley told her not to take this so hard with the two was better with every woman for herself in the Chamber.
More of the handheld camera selfie promo were shown this week for Cena, The Bar, and Strowman as they built toward their matches later in the night. After Jordan cost Rollins the titles, The Architect lost it, yelling at Rollins before Kurt Angle broke it up and yelled at Jordan to go home and get healthy.
Conclusion: This show was much like last week's show, and I mean that in the best way possible. The new presentation of Raw has also led to improved booking as the focus is almost entirely on the in ring action. It looks as though backstage interviews are a thing of the past, and that means much more streamlined pacing.
While the selfie promos feel a bit low budget to me, I do like that it adds a faster and more personal focus to the show that translates well to the longer match run times. The wrestling quality on Raw is much higher so far this year than it was at this time last year.
Everyone feels like they finally have a purpose and a drive as long as they are not named Finn Balor, and that has meant a host of memorable segments and proper character development on top of the wrestling that is making use of the talented roster. This is the best WWE has felt in months.
More of the handheld camera selfie promo were shown this week for Cena, The Bar, and Strowman as they built toward their matches later in the night. After Jordan cost Rollins the titles, The Architect lost it, yelling at Rollins before Kurt Angle broke it up and yelled at Jordan to go home and get healthy.
Conclusion: This show was much like last week's show, and I mean that in the best way possible. The new presentation of Raw has also led to improved booking as the focus is almost entirely on the in ring action. It looks as though backstage interviews are a thing of the past, and that means much more streamlined pacing.
While the selfie promos feel a bit low budget to me, I do like that it adds a faster and more personal focus to the show that translates well to the longer match run times. The wrestling quality on Raw is much higher so far this year than it was at this time last year.
Everyone feels like they finally have a purpose and a drive as long as they are not named Finn Balor, and that has meant a host of memorable segments and proper character development on top of the wrestling that is making use of the talented roster. This is the best WWE has felt in months.
