Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
While Monday Night Raw started off the year with a solid show, there was not a lot of fresh perspective showcased. Raw is the same show in 2018 as it was in 2017 and 2016 and so on. If it isn't irreparably broken in a noticeably ugly way, don't fix it, I guess.
Still, there is reason for hope as the road to WrestleMania approaches. That road has not been the greatest in recent years, but it always at least means WWE has to try for several months straight. For now, my hope is that WWE puts in the effort to build up some credible Royal Rumble winners. Plus The Miz is back!
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Still, there is reason for hope as the road to WrestleMania approaches. That road has not been the greatest in recent years, but it always at least means WWE has to try for several months straight. For now, my hope is that WWE puts in the effort to build up some credible Royal Rumble winners. Plus The Miz is back!
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Who knew Jason Jordan's first real story after becoming Kurt Angle's son would be knockoff Dean Ambrose?
Jason Jordan Talks His Way Into a Six-Man Tag Match with Balor Club
Overview: Jason Jordan interrupted Roman Reigns to talk about how much he loved being a part of a group with him and Seth Rollins which brought out an embarrassed Rollins. Finn Balor, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson took offense to a Jordan comment about being the best trio in WWE which led to Kurt Angle announcing a six-man tag team match for the main event.
Analysis: Somewhat heel Jordan is absolutely hilarious. He was basically play acting as Dean Ambrose this week, trying to be the new member of The Shield, and it embarrassed the veterans. Less funny were Balor, Gallows, and Anderson making silly digs at Jordan, but at least Balor is back to a somewhat relevant role.
Analysis: Somewhat heel Jordan is absolutely hilarious. He was basically play acting as Dean Ambrose this week, trying to be the new member of The Shield, and it embarrassed the veterans. Less funny were Balor, Gallows, and Anderson making silly digs at Jordan, but at least Balor is back to a somewhat relevant role.
Sasha Banks and Bayley def. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
Overview: The team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville looked good thanks to their cohesive teamwork, but they were simply unable to keep up with Sasha Banks and Bayley. After Bayley took out Deville, Rose made a mistake and fell into the Bank Statement, forcing her to tap out as Paige looked on.
Highlights:
Analysis: The recent additions to the women's roster have not been all hits, but, ignoring Deville's weird "put your hair up" taunt moment, she has looked significantly better with each chance to perform. The same cannot be said of Rose who may be the worst wrestler on the main roster right now with zero impact behind her strikes.
Highlights:
- Bayley caught Rose with a side slam into a running knee.
- Deville repeatedly struck Banks with gut strikes until she was forced to the mat.
- A distraction from Deville set up Rose to hit a bicycle knee on Banks.
Analysis: The recent additions to the women's roster have not been all hits, but, ignoring Deville's weird "put your hair up" taunt moment, she has looked significantly better with each chance to perform. The same cannot be said of Rose who may be the worst wrestler on the main roster right now with zero impact behind her strikes.
What have we become that this is entertainment?
Woken Matt Hardy def. Curt Hawkins
Overview: Woken Matt Hardy promised to win the Royal Rumble in a pretaped interview. He then made quick work of Curt Hawkins, ending it with a Twist of Fate. Bray Wyatt appeared, and the two laughed at each other.
Highlights:
Analysis: Hardy's theme for some reason includes his awkward laugh then the post-match was just Wyatt and Hardy laughing. Is this what Vince McMahon liked about the Broken gimmick? His laugh? I would have assumed Hardy would have some say in this character, but it has not felt like it.
Highlights:
- Hardy bit Hawkins to escape his grip.
- Hardy hit Hawkins with a twisting neckbreaker and a suplex into the bottom turnbuckle then dodged a crossbody out of the corner.
Analysis: Hardy's theme for some reason includes his awkward laugh then the post-match was just Wyatt and Hardy laughing. Is this what Vince McMahon liked about the Broken gimmick? His laugh? I would have assumed Hardy would have some say in this character, but it has not felt like it.
The Miz Wastes No Time Declaring His Revenge Against Roman Reigns
Overview: Elias gave a rousing musical introduction to The Miz before he made his big return with his guests The Miztourage, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. After both tried to outdo one another with presents for their returning hero, Miz made clear he had one goal in 2018: taking his Intercontinental Championship back from Reigns and becoming the longest reigning IC champion in history.
Analysis: This was a solid return for Miz, stating his mission statement quickly and effectively. It will take Miz just 97 days to have the most cumulative days as Intercontinental Champion in history, and I could see WWE giving him that honor. He also needs to win the title three more times to pass Jericho's record for most times holding the title, but that will take a bit longer.
Analysis: This was a solid return for Miz, stating his mission statement quickly and effectively. It will take Miz just 97 days to have the most cumulative days as Intercontinental Champion in history, and I could see WWE giving him that honor. He also needs to win the title three more times to pass Jericho's record for most times holding the title, but that will take a bit longer.
Welp, I guess Cedric Alexander still thinks Enzo is ruining the division.
Cedric Alexander def. Enzo Amore By Count Out; Enzo Amore Retained the WWE Cruiserweight Championship
Overview: Enzo Amore made clear Cedric Alexander's team with Goldust last week was the closest he would ever get to gold before their match. Enzo's tricks only worked for so long against Alexander who kept pushing, even busting Enzo open and injuring his knee only for Enzo to decide to take a count out loss.
Highlights:
Analysis: I have no idea how badly Enzo is actually injured, but this did not look good. He clearly got busted open the hard way then the knee injury did not look like a story moment sell. The count out may have always been the plan, but there was no way Enzo was doing much more if anything in that match if the result was originally something else. Hope Enzo isn't seriously hurt.
Highlights:
- Enzo used the referee as a distraction and dumped Alexander off the top rope to the floor and gained control.
- Enzo caught Alexander out of the corner with a knee but then jumped off the second rope into a dropkick.
- Alexander bloodied Enzo with a handspring roundhouse then was dumped outside only to catch the same brow with an enzuigiri then continued the offense with a somersault plancha that seemed to injure Enzo's knee.
Analysis: I have no idea how badly Enzo is actually injured, but this did not look good. He clearly got busted open the hard way then the knee injury did not look like a story moment sell. The count out may have always been the plan, but there was no way Enzo was doing much more if anything in that match if the result was originally something else. Hope Enzo isn't seriously hurt.
Sheamus and Cesaro def. Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews
Overview: Apollo Crews showed off his resiliency and speed in this match before getting the hot tag to Titus O'Neil who rolled over Sheamus and Cesaro. As the former tag team champions used underhanded tactics to try and take the win, Apollo Crews took out Cesaro outside followed by Titus rolling up Sheamus for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a legitimately surprising result, and I'm impressed how much I was on board with it. Titus and Crews are talented, charismatic, and hard working. It is time for Titus Worldwide to actually start getting some victories. The tag team division is the best place for the group to work.
Highlights:
- Cesaro and Crews ran past each other, bouncing off the ropes until Crews hit Cesaro with a dropkick then a standing shooting star press.
- Crews again tried to run the ropes, but Sheamus pulled down the top rope and sent Crews hard to the floor before throwing him into the barricade.
- Crews caught Sheamus with an inside cradle then sent Sheamus shoulder-first into the steel post.
Analysis: This was a legitimately surprising result, and I'm impressed how much I was on board with it. Titus and Crews are talented, charismatic, and hard working. It is time for Titus Worldwide to actually start getting some victories. The tag team division is the best place for the group to work.
Trust Paul Heyman to always give you his shocked face for every situation remotely exciting.
Braun Strowman Buries Brock Lesnar and Kane Under Everything Backstage
Overview: Paul Heyman defined the Universal Championship as Brock Lesnar overcoming idiotic overwhelming odds. He still wanted to make clear though that Lesnar would always conquer.
Kane assaulted Lesnar on the stage, and the two brawled to the back where Braun Strowman threw both men through tables then pulled down a backstage truss with a grappling hook to collapse onto both monsters.
Analysis: I was skeptical of this segment at first, but it was everything last week's brawl wasn't. Strowman's inclusion suddenly made it clear this was three monsters raging through the arena and ripping everything apart in their wake. If the triple threat can outshine Strowman pulling a truss down on top of Lesnar and Kane, it will be an absolute blast.
Kane assaulted Lesnar on the stage, and the two brawled to the back where Braun Strowman threw both men through tables then pulled down a backstage truss with a grappling hook to collapse onto both monsters.
Analysis: I was skeptical of this segment at first, but it was everything last week's brawl wasn't. Strowman's inclusion suddenly made it clear this was three monsters raging through the arena and ripping everything apart in their wake. If the triple threat can outshine Strowman pulling a truss down on top of Lesnar and Kane, it will be an absolute blast.
Samoa Joe def. Rhyno
Overview: Rhyno tried to get into a heavyweight war with Samoa Joe from the start, but he was completely overwhelmed by Joe's mix of power and finesse. Rhyno caught Joe on his shoulders, but Joe slipped out and caught him with the Coquina Clutch. Joe made clear he would one day finish off Reigns then announced he would be in the Royal Rumble while promising to eliminate John Cena first.
Highlights:
Analysis: Joe vs. Rhyno is a match that has happened many times but never on the main roster. It was a shame this ended up being the result. Rhyno just is not on the same level anymore that he was in past clashes with Joe. At least this ended up leading to Joe planting the seeds for a clash with Cena, a must-see WWE match.
Highlights:
- Joe caught Rhyno with a snap kick then an STO followed by an inverted atomic drop, big boot, and a running senton.
Analysis: Joe vs. Rhyno is a match that has happened many times but never on the main roster. It was a shame this ended up being the result. Rhyno just is not on the same level anymore that he was in past clashes with Joe. At least this ended up leading to Joe planting the seeds for a clash with Cena, a must-see WWE match.
Glad Nia Jax got over the injury of her boyfriend so quickly.
Nia Jax Makes a Statement By Attacking Asuka
Overview: As Asuka finished her entrance, Nia Jax caught Asuka with an electric chair drop then a running leg drop that left Asuka hurting and angry.
Analysis: Asuka vs. Nia has always been an interesting match, a true war of dominant forces. If Nia had been better built up to this point, I could see her as the one to finally defeat Asuka, but instead she will just be the most impressive roadblock for Asuka to overcome before winning the Raw Women's Championship.
Analysis: Asuka vs. Nia has always been an interesting match, a true war of dominant forces. If Nia had been better built up to this point, I could see her as the one to finally defeat Asuka, but instead she will just be the most impressive roadblock for Asuka to overcome before winning the Raw Women's Championship.
Balor Club def. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Jason Jordan
Overview: Jordan was never tagged in in this match, but he made his presence felt throughout. He tried to make the save multiple times, but it was only a distraction with Rollins taking a Magic Killer as the referee missed Reigns tagging in. Balor then caught Rollins with a corner dropkick into the Coup De Grace for the win.
Afterward, as Reigns argued with Jordan, The Miz and The Miztourage attacked, taking out Reigns, Rollins, and Jordan. He hit Reigns with a Skull Crushing Finale then hit him with a mock triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
Analysis: Well, that was a pretty big turnaround for Balor's new (old) stable. The match was solid, but it was more important that it immediately made clear the Balor Club are a big deal. This also was important in showing the issues with Jordan as the replacement Shield member. Also, in a surprise twist, Corey Graves quietly announced Rollins' finisher is called the Revolution Knee, the true highlight of the night.
Afterward, as Reigns argued with Jordan, The Miz and The Miztourage attacked, taking out Reigns, Rollins, and Jordan. He hit Reigns with a Skull Crushing Finale then hit him with a mock triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
- Rollins threw out Balor then Reigns took out Gallows and Anderson at the same time with the Drive By before Rollins caught Balor with a slingshot axe handle.
- Rollins caught Balor with a turnbuckle shot to set up the hot tag to Reigns who ran over Balor and took him out with a big boot.
- Gallows and Anderson distracted Reigns from a Superman Punch and allowed Balor to hit him with a Slingblade.
- Reigns stopped Anderson with a tilt-a-whirl slam, but Gallows stomped on him and hit him with a snap suplex to stop a tag out.
- Gallows big booted Reigns into the ropes, but Reigns rebounded with a Superman Punch to get Rollins the hot tag.
- Rollins hit Anderson with a blockbuster then connected with a suicide dive to both men outside followed by a Slingblade into a suplex and Falcon Arrow on Gallows.
- Jordan tried to save Rollins, but the distraction allowed Anderson to spinebuster Rollins with Rollins taking out Gallows with an enzuigiri then Balor with spinning side slam.
Analysis: Well, that was a pretty big turnaround for Balor's new (old) stable. The match was solid, but it was more important that it immediately made clear the Balor Club are a big deal. This also was important in showing the issues with Jordan as the replacement Shield member. Also, in a surprise twist, Corey Graves quietly announced Rollins' finisher is called the Revolution Knee, the true highlight of the night.
Bo Dallas can actually make anything look good, can't he? Maybe he's the reason we all think The Miz and Elias are great.
Backstage Notes: Goldust gave Alexander a pep talk before his Cruiserweight Championship match. Balor tried to calm Gallows and Anderson down backstage and prepare them to go to battle tonight and make a new statement. Nia was shown watching backstage during Enzo's match then checked on him in the trainer's room.
Sheamus and Cesaro demanded their contractually-obligated rematch, calling out Kurt Angle's favoritism before he announced they would get their title match at the Royal Rumble. Miz then asked for his title rematch at the 25th anniversary of Raw and was granted it by Angle.
Alexa Bliss found Asuka in the locker room and made clear her best friend Nia was coming for her. Alexa tried to convince Nia to take out Asuka early with Nia seeing through it but admitting she was already prepared to collide with Asuka.
Conclusion: WWE is clearly in Rumble mode, building up a small but important set of matches. Miz's return coupled with Balor's resurgence alongside Balor Club has added intrigue to the roster that simply was not there before. It feels like everyone has more of a purpose now than they did before.
If I have one major complaint, it is that the women feel too tied right now to the Rumble match. Every story is about winning the Rumble now which is homogenizing storylines. It has completely sidelined Bliss who is likely to also not do anything but watch the women's Rumble from ringside.
Overall though, I am excited because everything feels like it has a purpose, and there were multiple moments of genuine exciting action. If Hardy vs. Wyatt wasn't such a miss, the whole show would have been a success even without much great wrestling. It was a build-up show, and it succeeded throughout in delivering the building blocks.
Sheamus and Cesaro demanded their contractually-obligated rematch, calling out Kurt Angle's favoritism before he announced they would get their title match at the Royal Rumble. Miz then asked for his title rematch at the 25th anniversary of Raw and was granted it by Angle.
Alexa Bliss found Asuka in the locker room and made clear her best friend Nia was coming for her. Alexa tried to convince Nia to take out Asuka early with Nia seeing through it but admitting she was already prepared to collide with Asuka.
Conclusion: WWE is clearly in Rumble mode, building up a small but important set of matches. Miz's return coupled with Balor's resurgence alongside Balor Club has added intrigue to the roster that simply was not there before. It feels like everyone has more of a purpose now than they did before.
If I have one major complaint, it is that the women feel too tied right now to the Rumble match. Every story is about winning the Rumble now which is homogenizing storylines. It has completely sidelined Bliss who is likely to also not do anything but watch the women's Rumble from ringside.
Overall though, I am excited because everything feels like it has a purpose, and there were multiple moments of genuine exciting action. If Hardy vs. Wyatt wasn't such a miss, the whole show would have been a success even without much great wrestling. It was a build-up show, and it succeeded throughout in delivering the building blocks.