Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
What are your New Year's resolutions? I really hope WWE Creative had a resolution to not take so many weeks off, including Christmas, despite making the wrestlers compete during the holidays. I'm not frustrated. I'm just annoyed.
Last week, it was The Shield or nothing as Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan won the tag team championships and Roman Reigns fought Samoa Joe to a disqualification to set up a rematch this week. Everything else could be entirely skipped. Maybe I should just make a resolution to skip more Raws this year.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Last week, it was The Shield or nothing as Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan won the tag team championships and Roman Reigns fought Samoa Joe to a disqualification to set up a rematch this week. Everything else could be entirely skipped. Maybe I should just make a resolution to skip more Raws this year.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
There are many thing Seth Rollins could teach Jason Jordan. One of them is not how to be a tag team partner.
Jason Jordan def. Cesaro
Overview: Kurt Angle announce the women's Royal Rumble would have 30 entrants with the same rules before Sheamus and Cesaro interrupted, calling out the general manager for favoritism. Jordan came out to defend Angle and fight Cesaro with Rollins coming out to protect Jordan and lecture him.
Cesaro quickly went after the left knee of Jordan and had him painfully hobbled early on to continually dominate the pace of the contest. After Rollins intercepted Sheamus outside as the heel went to sneak attack Jordan, Cesaro turned into an elevated neckbreaker for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid start to the show. The match was well built even if it wasn't flashy, and the segment beforehand worked without going overlong. I even am already buying into the dynamic of Rollins and Jordan as a team with Rollins playing condescending mentor.
Cesaro quickly went after the left knee of Jordan and had him painfully hobbled early on to continually dominate the pace of the contest. After Rollins intercepted Sheamus outside as the heel went to sneak attack Jordan, Cesaro turned into an elevated neckbreaker for the win.
Highlights:
- Sheamus distracted Jordan, allowing Cesaro to dodge a charging Jordan and send him into the turnbuckle then hit him with a chop block on his left leg.
- Cesaro locked Jordan in a half Boston crab on his bad leg with Jordan fighting out with his good leg but ran into an uppercut then double boots out of the corner.
Analysis: This was a solid start to the show. The match was well built even if it wasn't flashy, and the segment beforehand worked without going overlong. I even am already buying into the dynamic of Rollins and Jordan as a team with Rollins playing condescending mentor.
Bray Wyatt def. Apollo Crews
Overview: Titus O'Neil and Dana Brooke watched outside as Apollo Crews brought the fight to Bray Wyatt early. However, his quickness simply could not keep the Eater of Worlds down who sent Dana off the apron into Titus then turned Crews's powerbomb into Sister Abigail for the win.
Matt Hardy then popped up on the titantron to promise he would consume all of Wyatt's darkness.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was nice of WWE to give Crews a bit more time here to look competitive, but this was not much of a match. Crews spent too much time trying to ground down Wyatt with headlocks then never showed anything special in his arsenal. You would think a guy getting his first real quality TV time in months would put in a stronger effort.
Matt Hardy then popped up on the titantron to promise he would consume all of Wyatt's darkness.
Highlights:
- Wyatt sent Crews to the mat from the top rope with a jawbreaker.
- Wyatt planted Crews with a running crossbody.
- Crews was thrown into the ropes but rebound with a low dropkick then a running clothesline and a standing shooting star press.
Analysis: It was nice of WWE to give Crews a bit more time here to look competitive, but this was not much of a match. Crews spent too much time trying to ground down Wyatt with headlocks then never showed anything special in his arsenal. You would think a guy getting his first real quality TV time in months would put in a stronger effort.
Got to ring in the New Year with a match everyone was anticipating by throwing it on a random Raw with little warning.
Asuka def. Alexa Bliss
Overview: Alexa Bliss was sent consistently reeling outside with Asuka dominating her whenever they locked up. Bliss thought she had Asuka reeling in this match with a tactical assault on the ribs, but Asuka managed to kick Bliss until she was dizzy and fell into the cross armbar and tapped out.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the best match so far tonight, showing the most fire an ingenuinity. It came off as a potential major clash down the line with more time. I am disappointed WWE wasted the first-time bout on TV, but it's to be expected at this point with the company. Next time should be at WrestleMania.
Highlights:
- Asuka mocked Bliss then planted her with a hip attack that sent her outside.
- Asuka tripped Bliss right into an ankle lock with Bliss fighting to the rope then sending Asuka hard into the corner.
- Bliss hit Asuka with a backbreaker then repeatedly struck Asuka with fists before locking in a leg scissors into a guillotine which Asuka fought out of.
- Bliss slapped Asuka, setting off Asuka with repeated corner dropkicks then a low hip attack followed by a snap kick.
- Bliss tried to sneak in a victory roll, but Asuka sat down on it for a nearfall before Bliss kicked out then dropkicked Asuka to the floor.
Analysis: This was the best match so far tonight, showing the most fire an ingenuinity. It came off as a potential major clash down the line with more time. I am disappointed WWE wasted the first-time bout on TV, but it's to be expected at this point with the company. Next time should be at WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman def. Rhyno (with Heath Slater Allowed to Help)
Overview: Braun Strowman called out Heath Slater early, allowing him to legally get involved in the match. He did little to help Rhyno though who took a running powerslam and was quickly put away. Afterward, Slater tried to protect his partner and took another running powerslam before giving each two more.
Analysis: This was fine though complicated the view of Strowman as a pure face. Perhaps it is better to just call him a tweener as the fans certainly did not care that he was destroying two fun-loving faces. It's nice that Rhyno and Slater are regularly on TV again even in an old school Slater role of pure jobbers.
Analysis: This was fine though complicated the view of Strowman as a pure face. Perhaps it is better to just call him a tweener as the fans certainly did not care that he was destroying two fun-loving faces. It's nice that Rhyno and Slater are regularly on TV again even in an old school Slater role of pure jobbers.
Sorry, Joe, you're great, but you're not the kind of great that wins championships by DQ. That's Christian's forte.
Roman Reigns def. Samoa Joe to Retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship (If He Had Been DQed, He Would Have Lost the Title)
Overview: Roman Reigns started this match slow as he had to hold back his aggression to not get disqualified. Samoa Joe used this to get the edge on Reigns repeatedly, but it was not quite enough as Reigns fought out of a Coquina Clutch and hit a Spear to take the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This show has had some solid wrestling throughout, but this was the truly excellent match of the night. It is likely it won't hold up as a match of the year contender, but it started the year off right with what might be the best singles match they two have had together. I do wish they had extended the feud to the Rumble though.
Highlights:
- Reigns was pulled off Joe in the corner by the referee and distracted long enough to take a side slam from Joe then a snap suplex.
- Joe planted Reigns with an Irish whip then a snapmare into an arm trap submission before Reigns fought to his feet and hit a clothesline out of the corner.
- Reigns hurt Joe with corner clotheslines then big booting him to the floor followed by the Drive By.
- Joe body checked Reigns off the apron into the barricade then hit a suicide dive.
- Reigns fought off Joe with forearms then a sudden Samoan drop with Joe rolling outside before walking into a Superman Punch then caught Reigns jumping off the steps with a forearm to the chest.
- Reigns nearly blasted Joe with the steps but was called off and hit with a Superman Punch off them instead followed by another back in the ring for a nearfall.
- Joe knocked Reigns into the referee with Reigns nearly DQed before catching The Big Dog with a uranage for a nearfall.
Analysis: This show has had some solid wrestling throughout, but this was the truly excellent match of the night. It is likely it won't hold up as a match of the year contender, but it started the year off right with what might be the best singles match they two have had together. I do wish they had extended the feud to the Rumble though.
Cedric Alexander and Goldust def. Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari
Overview: Drew Gulak with Ariya Daivari at his side gave the fans a message from Enzo Amore who was ill and unable to defend his title tonight. Cedric Alexander interrupted and challenged either member of the Zo Train to a match because he wanted a fight with his title match cancelled for now.
Gulak and Daivari only agreed to a tag match, expecting no one would want to be team with him, but Goldust came out and agreed to team with Alexander because he thought Gulak and Daivari were the lowest people he knew. It did not take long for Goldust to clear things out and Alexander to win with the Lumbar Check on Gulak.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was an interesting segment in that it certainly felt like WWE just threw it together at the last moment with whoever was backstage. Goldust is never going to be a member of 205 Live, but at least he got another shot on TV even if it meant turning face again. Hopefully Enzo gets healthy soon, and we can get the promised title match.
Gulak and Daivari only agreed to a tag match, expecting no one would want to be team with him, but Goldust came out and agreed to team with Alexander because he thought Gulak and Daivari were the lowest people he knew. It did not take long for Goldust to clear things out and Alexander to win with the Lumbar Check on Gulak.
Highlights:
- Alexander knocked out Daivari with a back elbow then got the hot tag to Goldust who ran over Gulak including a running bulldog, scoop slam, and diving crossbody.
Analysis: This was an interesting segment in that it certainly felt like WWE just threw it together at the last moment with whoever was backstage. Goldust is never going to be a member of 205 Live, but at least he got another shot on TV even if it meant turning face again. Hopefully Enzo gets healthy soon, and we can get the promised title match.
I guess if he can't get a world title match, Finn can settle for teaming with his friends for a bit.
Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson def. Elias and The Miztourage
Overview: Elias was excited to once again perform with The Miztourage as all three seemed more out of tune than usual. Their in-ring performance was even worse as they got wiped out by the trio of Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson with the tag team hitting the Magic Killer on Bo Dallas followed by a Coup De Grace for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was more or less a squash which is interesting as it seems to be indicating that Balor's alliance with Gallows and Anderson will be a long term deal. You don't make this trio look this good unless you're building their dominance for future challenges.
I don't have stakes in this alliance, but it should be good for Gallows and Anderson. Plus many fans have been begging for this for a while.
Highlights:
- Gallows flipped Dallas with a big boot than hit a running splash followed by a superkick and taking out Curtis Axel trying to make the save.
Analysis: This was more or less a squash which is interesting as it seems to be indicating that Balor's alliance with Gallows and Anderson will be a long term deal. You don't make this trio look this good unless you're building their dominance for future challenges.
I don't have stakes in this alliance, but it should be good for Gallows and Anderson. Plus many fans have been begging for this for a while.
Kane Tries to Launch an Early Attack on Brock Lesnar
Overview: Paul Heyman came out with Brock Lesnar to complain about WWE failing to find one good challenger for The Beast and resorting to putting up multiple challengers at once who can defeat each other to win the WWE Universal Championship.
Kane interrupted and chokeslammed Lesnar before Lesnar sat up and clotheslined them both to the floor before the locker room came storming out to break up the action.
Analysis: This should not have been the main event especially over Reigns vs. Joe, but it was a fine way to keep building the Universal Championship feud. It was especially smart not to involved Strowman as this made clear Kane is a threat in this situation not just a distraction for Lesnar vs. Strowman.
Kane interrupted and chokeslammed Lesnar before Lesnar sat up and clotheslined them both to the floor before the locker room came storming out to break up the action.
Analysis: This should not have been the main event especially over Reigns vs. Joe, but it was a fine way to keep building the Universal Championship feud. It was especially smart not to involved Strowman as this made clear Kane is a threat in this situation not just a distraction for Lesnar vs. Strowman.
Never has Wyatt ever met a situation where he was the normal one, until now.
Backstage Notes: Reigns made clear he no longer respected Joe as a competitor because he was a "punk" who hurt his friend Dean Ambrose and took short cuts. Joe later promised in an interview to defeat Reigns again as he always does. Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Absolution staked their claims to winning the women's Royal Rumble.
Rollins and Reigns talked backstage before Jordan walked in and promised to take out The Bar tonight if they interfered in Reigns' match. Bliss demanded Angle cancel her match with Asuka then asked for Jax's help who was busy with Enzo. Kane tried to get Strowman to help him take out Lesnar together, but Strowman was not interested.
Balor officially entered himself into the Royal Rumble and revealed his partners, Gallows and Anderson, happy to join forces with his friends again. Heyman made clear Angle would regret putting Lesnar in an unfair situation against monsters.
Conclusion: It probably should not have been a surprise to me that this week's Raw was strong. WWE always puts in extra work on the New Year editions as it feels like a fresh start. In 2016, Raw was headlined by Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE Title with Vince McMahon as special guest referee.
While this show did not have that level of build, it was a strong three hours even with a major match delayed. The early part of the show was almost straight wrestling, and it all was at least fine. Bliss vs. Asuka and Reigns vs. Joe probably should have been saved for a bigger show, but they were both strong attraction match for the week.
The Royal Rumble rarely needs too much build-up as only a few matches are needed for the event. This year it is especially true as there will be two one-hour long matches to take up time. Still, the necessity here is to make clear who the threats are to win both Rumbles, and this did a fine job continuing that momentum with a fast-paced show.
Rollins and Reigns talked backstage before Jordan walked in and promised to take out The Bar tonight if they interfered in Reigns' match. Bliss demanded Angle cancel her match with Asuka then asked for Jax's help who was busy with Enzo. Kane tried to get Strowman to help him take out Lesnar together, but Strowman was not interested.
Balor officially entered himself into the Royal Rumble and revealed his partners, Gallows and Anderson, happy to join forces with his friends again. Heyman made clear Angle would regret putting Lesnar in an unfair situation against monsters.
Conclusion: It probably should not have been a surprise to me that this week's Raw was strong. WWE always puts in extra work on the New Year editions as it feels like a fresh start. In 2016, Raw was headlined by Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE Title with Vince McMahon as special guest referee.
While this show did not have that level of build, it was a strong three hours even with a major match delayed. The early part of the show was almost straight wrestling, and it all was at least fine. Bliss vs. Asuka and Reigns vs. Joe probably should have been saved for a bigger show, but they were both strong attraction match for the week.
The Royal Rumble rarely needs too much build-up as only a few matches are needed for the event. This year it is especially true as there will be two one-hour long matches to take up time. Still, the necessity here is to make clear who the threats are to win both Rumbles, and this did a fine job continuing that momentum with a fast-paced show.