Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
This week of WWE Monday Night Raw is the beginning of one of the most important weeks of WWE programming in years. That means it is a time where WWE should be ramping up show quality and tension as we approach the WWE Draft and WWE Battleground this weekend.
The theme of this week's review is plot, reviewing Raw as though it were to be considered one complete three hour experience with the classic story arc. That means I'll be looking for the set up, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and epilogue to this experience. This should give a better sense of just how off kilter the three hour experience of an episode of Raw can be.
The theme of this week's review is plot, reviewing Raw as though it were to be considered one complete three hour experience with the classic story arc. That means I'll be looking for the set up, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and epilogue to this experience. This should give a better sense of just how off kilter the three hour experience of an episode of Raw can be.
Stephanie McMahon is already fantasizing about how much more over she'll get when she slaps Daniel Bryan tomorrow during the WWE Draft.
Stephanie and Shane Introduce Their New General Managers: Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan
Overview: Stephanie McMahon came out first, quickly followed by Shane McMahon who interrupted her attempt to welcome the crowd to Monday Night Raw. Stephanie made sure to announce that Monday Night Raw would exclusively have a cruiserweight division before the new general managers were announced.
Stephanie announced Hall of Famer Mick Foley as her General Manager who came out to take up being a part of the competition. Shane then announced his general manager who the crowd was more than ready for, Daniel Bryan.
Bryan talked to the crowd and made clear he wanted SmackDown to be the brand for the underdog. Shane and Stephanie threw a few jabs at one another with Bryan ending the segment with the whole crowd chanting "yes".
Analysis: The show began with setting up Raw and SmackDown as unique entities. They redefined the brands by the pairings of Stephanie with Foley and Shane with Bryan. While the only helpful hint of what those pairings will entail meant the announcement of a cruiserweight division on Raw, it was cool to know the power dynamic finally.
This sold the rest of the show as a response to that power dynamic. Wrestlers should have been looking to make their presence felt before the draft as well as potentially making their preference known. I have never been completely sold on a returning cruiserweight division as it can be a reason to limit talent, but this show was also a good chance now for talent to claim a spot in the division.
Stephanie announced Hall of Famer Mick Foley as her General Manager who came out to take up being a part of the competition. Shane then announced his general manager who the crowd was more than ready for, Daniel Bryan.
Bryan talked to the crowd and made clear he wanted SmackDown to be the brand for the underdog. Shane and Stephanie threw a few jabs at one another with Bryan ending the segment with the whole crowd chanting "yes".
Analysis: The show began with setting up Raw and SmackDown as unique entities. They redefined the brands by the pairings of Stephanie with Foley and Shane with Bryan. While the only helpful hint of what those pairings will entail meant the announcement of a cruiserweight division on Raw, it was cool to know the power dynamic finally.
This sold the rest of the show as a response to that power dynamic. Wrestlers should have been looking to make their presence felt before the draft as well as potentially making their preference known. I have never been completely sold on a returning cruiserweight division as it can be a reason to limit talent, but this show was also a good chance now for talent to claim a spot in the division.
Clearly Cesaro is winning his facial hair growing feud with Chris Jericho. It's been quite competitive though.
Sami Zayn and Cesaro def. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho
Overview: Cesaro and Chris Jericho started out with Jericho trying to chop down Cesaro only to get uppercut repeatedly by Cesaro. Zayn took the tag and kept up the pressure on Chris with arm drags. He sent Jericho reeling to the outside but was stopped from a suicide dive by Owens. The distraction allowed Jericho to attack Zayn from behind and tag in KO to begin the domination.
Chris sent Owens to the outside and tried to distract the referee for Owens to take out Sami outside. Zayn though took out KO then Jericho outside before crawling to the tag for Cesaro. Cesaro start the uppercut train on Jericho, but Owens got involved. Cesaro took him out and hit both men with the uppercut train into a pinfall on Chris for two.
Cesaro set up the giant swing, but Jericho turned it into a roll up for two. Cesaro quickly hit a springboard corkscrew uppercut for a nearfall. Jericho fought back with an enzuigiri that left both men lying. Owens and Zayn began their Battleground match early as KO hit vicious shots on Zayn with Sami fighting off a pump up powerbomb.
The two both made surprise tags to their partners with Cesaro hitting a crossbody then setting up a giant swing that Owens broke up. Zayn got the quick tag and hit a rope walk DDT on Owens. Jericho tried a small package on Zayn only for Sami to reverse it into his own small package for three.
Analysis: As always, Owens and Zayn are excellent together, and they sparked when they fought for a few minutes. Most of this match though was fairly standard tag match fare. The heels dominated Zayn until he got the hot tag to Cesaro who seemed dominant until he had to tag in Sami to make the final rally for the win.
The rising action of this show began with Battleground build up rather than draft build up which made sense. The rivals got in opening shots to build up their coming rivalries. It was a bit awkward that the most dominant wrestler in this match was Cesaro who has no direction right now at all.
Chris sent Owens to the outside and tried to distract the referee for Owens to take out Sami outside. Zayn though took out KO then Jericho outside before crawling to the tag for Cesaro. Cesaro start the uppercut train on Jericho, but Owens got involved. Cesaro took him out and hit both men with the uppercut train into a pinfall on Chris for two.
Cesaro set up the giant swing, but Jericho turned it into a roll up for two. Cesaro quickly hit a springboard corkscrew uppercut for a nearfall. Jericho fought back with an enzuigiri that left both men lying. Owens and Zayn began their Battleground match early as KO hit vicious shots on Zayn with Sami fighting off a pump up powerbomb.
The two both made surprise tags to their partners with Cesaro hitting a crossbody then setting up a giant swing that Owens broke up. Zayn got the quick tag and hit a rope walk DDT on Owens. Jericho tried a small package on Zayn only for Sami to reverse it into his own small package for three.
Analysis: As always, Owens and Zayn are excellent together, and they sparked when they fought for a few minutes. Most of this match though was fairly standard tag match fare. The heels dominated Zayn until he got the hot tag to Cesaro who seemed dominant until he had to tag in Sami to make the final rally for the win.
The rising action of this show began with Battleground build up rather than draft build up which made sense. The rivals got in opening shots to build up their coming rivalries. It was a bit awkward that the most dominant wrestler in this match was Cesaro who has no direction right now at all.
When does Bob Backlund teach Darren Young how to fight back? He seems only capable right now of getting beat up and falling into wins.
Darren Young def. Alberto Del Rio
Overview: Alberto Del Rio quickly began dominating Darren Young with an assault on the right arm. Young tried to fight back but kept getting grounded. Young dodged a step up enzuigiri and began rallying with a series of lariats then a suplex and atomic drop.
When Young hit a strong right hand to the face of Del Rio, The Miz got off commentary where he was railing on Young's lack of experience. Miz tried to distract Young, but his distraction made the referee miss ADR's roll up. Young then threw the referee into Miz and rolled up Del Rio into a bridge for the three count.
Analysis: This continued the Battleground set up rising action with Young proving he can beat major competition though the match was fairly standard and too short. Del Rio is the kind of wrestler who should be perfect to challenge Young in a competitive match, but he was just a stand in here.
Until Young actually wrestles for ten minutes in a match with multiple nearfalls, he won't convince me that he can be that wrestler. Young needs to show that his veteran experience includes being able to fight in full matches. He will be hard to sell as an Intercontinental Champion or even a long term contender if he can't have a compelling ten minute match.
When Young hit a strong right hand to the face of Del Rio, The Miz got off commentary where he was railing on Young's lack of experience. Miz tried to distract Young, but his distraction made the referee miss ADR's roll up. Young then threw the referee into Miz and rolled up Del Rio into a bridge for the three count.
Analysis: This continued the Battleground set up rising action with Young proving he can beat major competition though the match was fairly standard and too short. Del Rio is the kind of wrestler who should be perfect to challenge Young in a competitive match, but he was just a stand in here.
Until Young actually wrestles for ten minutes in a match with multiple nearfalls, he won't convince me that he can be that wrestler. Young needs to show that his veteran experience includes being able to fight in full matches. He will be hard to sell as an Intercontinental Champion or even a long term contender if he can't have a compelling ten minute match.
It was then that Cena realized he's gotten too old for all of this.
The Club and The Wyatt Family def. The New Day, John Cena, and Enzo and Cass
Overview: John Cena cut a quick promo about the story of his Battleground six man which brought out Enzo and Cass with Enzo Amore ripping The Club, calling Luke Gallows ugly, insulting AJ Styles' soccer mom hair, and declaring Karl Anderson generic. Cena was immediately flabbergasted by Enzo with Cena unsure if the two were serious.
After Cass promised that the team was extremely serious, The Club came out and questioned the chemistry of Cena with Enzo and Amore. They made clear their advantage was in their teamwork and experience before talking about all the people they would beat up tonight including The New Day who came out in response.
The New Day made fun of The Club and made clear they were not afraid of The Wyatt Family even though they were shown The Wyatts' strength last week. New Day also tried to explain to Cena "How You Doin" with a list of Pokemon which led into a sudden "New Day Rocks" chant. Finally, The Wyatt Family came out to begin the match.
Karl Anderson tried to start against John Cena, but Erick Rowan forced a tag, got shoulder tackled. Luke Gallows forced a tag in and shoulder tackled Cena. John tagged in Big E who knocked down Gallows with Braun Strowman forcing a tag in. Enzo Amore took the tag to face Strowman, but he got planted. Cass tagged in, and Strowman attacked Cena on the apron.
This caused chaos which cleaned up with Strowman still standing tall. No one was able to take Strowman off his feet. Cena got into the action and hit a series of shoulder tackles and a slam on Bray Wyatt, setting up the five knuckle shuffle only to meet Wyatt's crab walk which freaked him out.
This allowed the heels to begin dominating Cena with The Club taking over the beat down with Styles even getting in Wyatt's face. Cena dodged a running senton from Wyatt and finally got the hot tag to Big Cass. Cass hit a newly tagged Styles with the Empire Elbow then a splash in the corner which led to Strowman slipping in to try to control the momentum.
Kofi and Big E sent Strowman outside the ring with Wyatt then hitting the Sister Abigail on Wyatt who took a missile dropkick from Woods who then suicide dived onto everyone outside. Enzo and Cass tried to Bada Boom Shaka Laka on Styles, but Gallows got involved. Cena hit an AA on Gallows but got knocked down by Anderson.
The Wyatt Family and The New Day finally saw the opportunity to keep fighting, right up the entrance ramp. In the ring, Enzo accidentally clotheslined Cena with Styles then hitting an enzuigiri and the Styles Clash on Enzo for the win.
Analysis: This segment was its own story all its own. We got a snapshot of many of the gimmicks of the twelve men involved with some fun interactions. Cena was confused while New Day and Enzo and Cass were new school crazy with their catchphrases. Plus The Club were spitting out old and new catchphrases galore.
Twelve man tag matches are always a mess as there are too many people always standing around doing nothing. Still, this match delivered as well it could with solid storytelling through and some great sequences throughout that made almost everyone stand out.
This would still be considered rising action as there was only build up here. Styles showed the flaws in Cena's team while New Day and The Wyatts fought to the back. It was still all about Battleground and no payoff.
After Cass promised that the team was extremely serious, The Club came out and questioned the chemistry of Cena with Enzo and Amore. They made clear their advantage was in their teamwork and experience before talking about all the people they would beat up tonight including The New Day who came out in response.
The New Day made fun of The Club and made clear they were not afraid of The Wyatt Family even though they were shown The Wyatts' strength last week. New Day also tried to explain to Cena "How You Doin" with a list of Pokemon which led into a sudden "New Day Rocks" chant. Finally, The Wyatt Family came out to begin the match.
Karl Anderson tried to start against John Cena, but Erick Rowan forced a tag, got shoulder tackled. Luke Gallows forced a tag in and shoulder tackled Cena. John tagged in Big E who knocked down Gallows with Braun Strowman forcing a tag in. Enzo Amore took the tag to face Strowman, but he got planted. Cass tagged in, and Strowman attacked Cena on the apron.
This caused chaos which cleaned up with Strowman still standing tall. No one was able to take Strowman off his feet. Cena got into the action and hit a series of shoulder tackles and a slam on Bray Wyatt, setting up the five knuckle shuffle only to meet Wyatt's crab walk which freaked him out.
This allowed the heels to begin dominating Cena with The Club taking over the beat down with Styles even getting in Wyatt's face. Cena dodged a running senton from Wyatt and finally got the hot tag to Big Cass. Cass hit a newly tagged Styles with the Empire Elbow then a splash in the corner which led to Strowman slipping in to try to control the momentum.
Kofi and Big E sent Strowman outside the ring with Wyatt then hitting the Sister Abigail on Wyatt who took a missile dropkick from Woods who then suicide dived onto everyone outside. Enzo and Cass tried to Bada Boom Shaka Laka on Styles, but Gallows got involved. Cena hit an AA on Gallows but got knocked down by Anderson.
The Wyatt Family and The New Day finally saw the opportunity to keep fighting, right up the entrance ramp. In the ring, Enzo accidentally clotheslined Cena with Styles then hitting an enzuigiri and the Styles Clash on Enzo for the win.
Analysis: This segment was its own story all its own. We got a snapshot of many of the gimmicks of the twelve men involved with some fun interactions. Cena was confused while New Day and Enzo and Cass were new school crazy with their catchphrases. Plus The Club were spitting out old and new catchphrases galore.
Twelve man tag matches are always a mess as there are too many people always standing around doing nothing. Still, this match delivered as well it could with solid storytelling through and some great sequences throughout that made almost everyone stand out.
This would still be considered rising action as there was only build up here. Styles showed the flaws in Cena's team while New Day and The Wyatts fought to the back. It was still all about Battleground and no payoff.
No, bad Kalisto, you don't need the Lucha Dragons anymore. Just let go.
Baron Corbin def. Sin Cara
Overview: Baron Corbin isolated Cara in the corner and began taunting about how he needed to be the number one draft pick. This allowed Cara to dodge a splash and began a rally, sending Corbin reeling to the outside. Corbin though got back to the ring to hit a sudden End of Days for the win.
Afterward, Corbin kept beating down on Cara until Kalisto made the save. Corbin backed down, but he then attacked Kalisto from behind and laid him out on the outside.
Analysis: In a sudden shift to fill time, this was the first segment after the opener that focused on the draft. Corbin established his dominance, hoping to make clear his importance to Raw and SmackDown. We may have also seen him set up a feud with Kalisto though Kalisto seems more likely to be an integral part of the cruiserweight division.
Looking at the roster, Corbin is actually a fascinating draft pick. He will likely be one of the first of the true rookies drafted, and the smaller roster should do him well. His dominant power offense seems made for a title reign soon though both champions are heels right now. Regardless, he absolutely needs a rival post-draft.
Afterward, Corbin kept beating down on Cara until Kalisto made the save. Corbin backed down, but he then attacked Kalisto from behind and laid him out on the outside.
Analysis: In a sudden shift to fill time, this was the first segment after the opener that focused on the draft. Corbin established his dominance, hoping to make clear his importance to Raw and SmackDown. We may have also seen him set up a feud with Kalisto though Kalisto seems more likely to be an integral part of the cruiserweight division.
Looking at the roster, Corbin is actually a fascinating draft pick. He will likely be one of the first of the true rookies drafted, and the smaller roster should do him well. His dominant power offense seems made for a title reign soon though both champions are heels right now. Regardless, he absolutely needs a rival post-draft.
Clearly this was enough women's wrestling for the week. WWE will be back next week to give the women another five minutes.
Charlotte and Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch Goes to a No Contest
Overview: Charlotte seemed to be starting off against Sasha Banks, but she tagged in Dana Brooke who got quickly isolated in the face corner. Lynch hit a series of deep arm drags on Brooke then fought off a Brooke rally with running leg drops. Sasha also went after the arm of Brooke until Charlotte tripped Banks off the apron.
Natalya ran in and assaulted Lynch, causing the referee to throw out the match. Banks tried to help Becky but got laid out from behind by Charlotte. Natalya and Charlotte both let the other beat on their rival with Charlotte standing tall with Brooke over Banks, questioning where her partner was now.
Analysis: For a top of the final hour segment with implications for two matches at Battleground, this was way too short and inconsequential. When you have Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch in the same ring, this seems like a tremendous waste of talent and a whole division.
This certainly couldn't have been the climax of the show as it again was a segment with no execution, just more build up of the PPV. This was a segment that could have been extremely strong but instead felt like it was thrown together last minute with no intention of being relevant.
Natalya ran in and assaulted Lynch, causing the referee to throw out the match. Banks tried to help Becky but got laid out from behind by Charlotte. Natalya and Charlotte both let the other beat on their rival with Charlotte standing tall with Brooke over Banks, questioning where her partner was now.
Analysis: For a top of the final hour segment with implications for two matches at Battleground, this was way too short and inconsequential. When you have Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch in the same ring, this seems like a tremendous waste of talent and a whole division.
This certainly couldn't have been the climax of the show as it again was a segment with no execution, just more build up of the PPV. This was a segment that could have been extremely strong but instead felt like it was thrown together last minute with no intention of being relevant.
Why you no let Rusev crush, Sheamus?
Rusev and Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler and Zack Ryder
Overview: Zack Ryder quickly realized he couldn't outgrapple Sheamus as he got smacked to the ground with Sheamus' vicious strikes. Ryder turned it into a striking contest with Sheamus which he seemed to be winning before Rusev distracted him, allowing the heels to isolate and beat down Ryder on the outside.
Sheamus began enjoying the beatdown too much, not letting Rusev in, which led to a neckbreaker from Ryder that created separation for the hot tag to Ziggler. Ziggler hit Rusev with a Famouser with Sheamus breaking up the pinfall. Ryder took out Sheamus, but Rusev hit a side kick to the back of Ziggler head then locked in The Accolade for the submission.
Analysis: The booking for this show was fairly consistent. Other than some comments from the commentators, this show was never really about the WWE Draft. It was all about building up WWE Battleground with rivals clashing in tag team matches so that they could hint at what it will be like to see them going one on one.
Again, this was a part of the build up though, to be honest, there was no flow to the show. There was no actual rising action as the match selection for the night was just randomly placed up to the main event. There weren't even build ups to each hour.
Sheamus began enjoying the beatdown too much, not letting Rusev in, which led to a neckbreaker from Ryder that created separation for the hot tag to Ziggler. Ziggler hit Rusev with a Famouser with Sheamus breaking up the pinfall. Ryder took out Sheamus, but Rusev hit a side kick to the back of Ziggler head then locked in The Accolade for the submission.
Analysis: The booking for this show was fairly consistent. Other than some comments from the commentators, this show was never really about the WWE Draft. It was all about building up WWE Battleground with rivals clashing in tag team matches so that they could hint at what it will be like to see them going one on one.
Again, this was a part of the build up though, to be honest, there was no flow to the show. There was no actual rising action as the match selection for the night was just randomly placed up to the main event. There weren't even build ups to each hour.
For a second there, Ambrose thought becoming champion meant no longer being screwed by confusing finishes. At least it didn't cost him the title, this time.
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins Goes to a Draw; Dean Ambrose Retains the WWE Championship
Overview: Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as well as Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley sat at ringside to watch this main event. The two had a collar and elbow tie up that led to an Ambrose takedown then a snapmare takedown for one. Rollins slid to the apron for separation and then chose to lock hands with Ambrose only to take a headlock takedown.
Rollins fought to his feet and rallied with a shoulder tackle but then ran into two deep arm drags that sent him to the outside. Seth managed to trap Dean in the corner and stomp on him but got taken down again followed by being sent clean over the ropes to the outside.
Dean rolled outside and hit a rebound clothesline. Rollins finally managed to get control back as he stomped on Ambrose and locked in a grapevined headlock. Ambrose fought out but was thrown into the middle turnbuckle face first. Rollins wrenched at the face of Dean and hit a clean fist to the face.
However, Ambrose found an opening to pull out a series of small package roll ups for two. This angered Rollins with Ambrose slipping out of his grip with the two then colliding off the ropes with crossbodies. Ambrose threw a series of strikes then hit a clothesline followed by a fisherman suplex for two.
The two men traded roll ups with Ambrose then dodging a kick to hit a neckbreaker for two. Rollins hit a single leg dropkick then went for the Pedigree only to take a back body drop. Ambrose blocked a suicide dive with a fist to the face then sent Rollins outside and hit his own suicide dive.
This got the commissioners and general managers on their feet as the two began brawling outside. Rollins powerbombed Ambrose right into the steel post then hit a frog splash for a nearfall. Dean countered a powerbomb into a headscissors right into the turnbuckle.
Dean and Seth both teased their finishers with Ambrose launching Rollins right onto the apron where Rollins hit a springboard knee only to miss another frog splash. Rollins hit a series of running forearms in the corner but took a running forearm from Ambrose in return.
Rollins missed a running knee then Ambrose missed a rebound clothesline with Ambrose turning the rebound off a powerbomb into the corner into Dirty Deeds for a nearfall broken by Rollins' foot on the ropes. Dean went outside and cleared the announce area, setting up Rollins on the Spanish announce table.
Ambrose was going for an elbow drop, but Rollins rolled back to the apron with Rollins nearly hitting a Pedigree. Ambrose fought out and clotheslined Rollins back into the ring. Mid-air, Rollins hit a kick to Ambrose and hit the Pedigree for a crazy nearfall. Rollins went for another Pedigree with Ambrose fighting out and hitting a rebound clothesline.
Dean went to the top rope with the two men fighting there. The referee got knocked down, and Rollins hit a superplex with both men's shoulders down for three on the cover. The shaken up referee struggled to speak as Stephanie raised Seth's hand and Shane rose Ambrose's hands. Stephanie declared Seth the victor of the match to end the night, but nothing was made official.
Afterward, on the WWE Network, the match was declared a draw, so Dean Ambrose remains WWE Champion going into the WWE Draft tomorrow.
Analysis: Here's your climax, falling action, and resolution. Everything had been building to this main event. Well, expect everything else on the show was building something else, Battleground or the draft. Still, there were some ways everything here connected to those build ups, and we also got an excellent match.
We got a full scale 25 minute title match between two guys who have always been good together. This time they truly went all out, making this feel as big as a PPV match, with some fantastic nearfalls and tons of strong sequences throughout. It was a match that could have main eventing Battleground besides the awkward finish.
There is nothing wrong with ending Raw on an uncertain note, but this show didn't even resolve the tension on TV. They resolved the situation off air in an awkward draw declaration. It was all about creating suspense, but this could have been handled better without straight up confusing everyone.
Rollins fought to his feet and rallied with a shoulder tackle but then ran into two deep arm drags that sent him to the outside. Seth managed to trap Dean in the corner and stomp on him but got taken down again followed by being sent clean over the ropes to the outside.
Dean rolled outside and hit a rebound clothesline. Rollins finally managed to get control back as he stomped on Ambrose and locked in a grapevined headlock. Ambrose fought out but was thrown into the middle turnbuckle face first. Rollins wrenched at the face of Dean and hit a clean fist to the face.
However, Ambrose found an opening to pull out a series of small package roll ups for two. This angered Rollins with Ambrose slipping out of his grip with the two then colliding off the ropes with crossbodies. Ambrose threw a series of strikes then hit a clothesline followed by a fisherman suplex for two.
The two men traded roll ups with Ambrose then dodging a kick to hit a neckbreaker for two. Rollins hit a single leg dropkick then went for the Pedigree only to take a back body drop. Ambrose blocked a suicide dive with a fist to the face then sent Rollins outside and hit his own suicide dive.
This got the commissioners and general managers on their feet as the two began brawling outside. Rollins powerbombed Ambrose right into the steel post then hit a frog splash for a nearfall. Dean countered a powerbomb into a headscissors right into the turnbuckle.
Dean and Seth both teased their finishers with Ambrose launching Rollins right onto the apron where Rollins hit a springboard knee only to miss another frog splash. Rollins hit a series of running forearms in the corner but took a running forearm from Ambrose in return.
Rollins missed a running knee then Ambrose missed a rebound clothesline with Ambrose turning the rebound off a powerbomb into the corner into Dirty Deeds for a nearfall broken by Rollins' foot on the ropes. Dean went outside and cleared the announce area, setting up Rollins on the Spanish announce table.
Ambrose was going for an elbow drop, but Rollins rolled back to the apron with Rollins nearly hitting a Pedigree. Ambrose fought out and clotheslined Rollins back into the ring. Mid-air, Rollins hit a kick to Ambrose and hit the Pedigree for a crazy nearfall. Rollins went for another Pedigree with Ambrose fighting out and hitting a rebound clothesline.
Dean went to the top rope with the two men fighting there. The referee got knocked down, and Rollins hit a superplex with both men's shoulders down for three on the cover. The shaken up referee struggled to speak as Stephanie raised Seth's hand and Shane rose Ambrose's hands. Stephanie declared Seth the victor of the match to end the night, but nothing was made official.
Afterward, on the WWE Network, the match was declared a draw, so Dean Ambrose remains WWE Champion going into the WWE Draft tomorrow.
Analysis: Here's your climax, falling action, and resolution. Everything had been building to this main event. Well, expect everything else on the show was building something else, Battleground or the draft. Still, there were some ways everything here connected to those build ups, and we also got an excellent match.
We got a full scale 25 minute title match between two guys who have always been good together. This time they truly went all out, making this feel as big as a PPV match, with some fantastic nearfalls and tons of strong sequences throughout. It was a match that could have main eventing Battleground besides the awkward finish.
There is nothing wrong with ending Raw on an uncertain note, but this show didn't even resolve the tension on TV. They resolved the situation off air in an awkward draw declaration. It was all about creating suspense, but this could have been handled better without straight up confusing everyone.
I'm so glad the heated, layered sibling rivalry has finally been replaced by two bearded men half-heartedly roasting each other.
Final Notes: The Golden Truth, Titus O'Neil, and Jack Swagger all tried to convince Daniel Bryan to draft them before Stephanie McMahon found him backstage and tried to throw some insults at Bryan that he easily brushed off. Breezango tried to teach Mick Foley dance tips until Shane found Foley and failed to convince him that Stephanie would manipulate him.
Seth Rollins was shown in the empty arena earlier today, talking about the history of The Shield in his eyes. Rollins talked down both Reigns and Ambrose particularly angry with Ambrose for ruining his well executed plan. Seth was certain he would walk out of tonight's main event as WWE Champion.
Dean Ambrose made his own tribute promo to The Shield, talking on the backstage camera The Shield used for their promos in years past, talking down Rollins before the main event. Daniel Bryan and Mick Foley had one last talk, teasing each other and making clear they were ready for a competition.
Conclusion: While this was a strong show by Raw standards, a focus on structure this week pointed out many of WWE's glaring issues with their main show. Raw is three hours long, but it lacks of cohesive structure. There is no beginning, middle, and end.
There is a beginning that sets up something in the main event then a bunch of separate encounters thrown together in random order. This show was juggling two stories at once, and it seems uncertain how to deal with them cohesively. The draft was relegated mostly to backstage segments while the focus was on Battleground build up.
Despite this, the Battleground build up segments became a formulaic pattern. No one truly added to their matches before Sunday. Everything ran too much at neutral. There weren't really any bad segment which is why it was a strong show by WWE standards, but the show certainly didn't reinvent WWE's formula ahead of the draft which should shake things up.
Seth Rollins was shown in the empty arena earlier today, talking about the history of The Shield in his eyes. Rollins talked down both Reigns and Ambrose particularly angry with Ambrose for ruining his well executed plan. Seth was certain he would walk out of tonight's main event as WWE Champion.
Dean Ambrose made his own tribute promo to The Shield, talking on the backstage camera The Shield used for their promos in years past, talking down Rollins before the main event. Daniel Bryan and Mick Foley had one last talk, teasing each other and making clear they were ready for a competition.
Conclusion: While this was a strong show by Raw standards, a focus on structure this week pointed out many of WWE's glaring issues with their main show. Raw is three hours long, but it lacks of cohesive structure. There is no beginning, middle, and end.
There is a beginning that sets up something in the main event then a bunch of separate encounters thrown together in random order. This show was juggling two stories at once, and it seems uncertain how to deal with them cohesively. The draft was relegated mostly to backstage segments while the focus was on Battleground build up.
Despite this, the Battleground build up segments became a formulaic pattern. No one truly added to their matches before Sunday. Everything ran too much at neutral. There weren't really any bad segment which is why it was a strong show by WWE standards, but the show certainly didn't reinvent WWE's formula ahead of the draft which should shake things up.