Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
When's the summer of WWE starting up? Money in the Bank didn't do much to make this summer feel special. Next up, we are supposed to get excited for Great Ball of Fire. If it had a better name, I might be with the excitement of Samoa Joe vs. Brock Lesnar as the main event building.
Monday Night Raw has a lot of work to do to make up for the fact that it is making fun itself at every turn. The narrative for now remains the same. This may be one of the most talent-rich rosters ever, but it will go nowhere if WWE continues to impede that talent at every turn.
Monday Night Raw has a lot of work to do to make up for the fact that it is making fun itself at every turn. The narrative for now remains the same. This may be one of the most talent-rich rosters ever, but it will go nowhere if WWE continues to impede that talent at every turn.
Roman Reigns just isn't convinced of Samoa Joe's Samoan heritage. Wants to take a few Joe headbutts to be sure.
Roman Reigns Declares Himself No. 1 Contender for the Universal Championship Come SummerSlam
Overview: Roman Reigns walked to the ring and quickly announced he was the number one contender to the WWE Championship come SummerSlam. He dismissed Samoa Joe which brought out the current No. 1 contender. When Reigns repeated that he saw Samoa Joe as just Joe, a brawl ensued that Reigns won, sending Joe into retreat.
Analysis: Reigns' arrogance slowly dominating his promos is great to hear as it adds personality to his promos. I do hope that this was not an official announcement that Reigns is number one contender just yet as it would belittle the multiple times he fought for that same opportunity recently. Reigns vs. Joe is a feud with potential legs down the line.
Analysis: Reigns' arrogance slowly dominating his promos is great to hear as it adds personality to his promos. I do hope that this was not an official announcement that Reigns is number one contender just yet as it would belittle the multiple times he fought for that same opportunity recently. Reigns vs. Joe is a feud with potential legs down the line.
All this match is saying is that Big Show should get a tag team title shot based on how he squashed Gallows and Anderson (yes, Show on his own).
The Hardy Boyz def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Overview: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson managed to isolate Jeff Hardy early then found success against Matt Hardy solo as well, but The Hardy Boyz together quickly overwhelmed the heels. Jeff found his opening, taking out Anderson followed by tagging in to allow Matt to hit the Twist of Fate followed by Jeff's Swanton Bomb for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the type of match that Gallows and Anderson should always have, competitive and hard-hitting. While they had to lose to continue building The Hardy Boyz momentum for their final match against Cesaro and Sheamus, the duo looked great in defeat, challenging The Hardys until the end.
Highlights:
- The Hardys short-arm whipped Anderson into their corner then hit a suplex.
- Jeff dodged a running single-leg dropkick in the corner then jumped out of a slam before connecting with a mule kick but still couldn't make the tag.
- Jeff took out both men with elbows followed by Whisper in the Wind.
- Gallows took out Matt through the ropes with an uppercut then Anderson clotheslined him before the two heels hit the Boot of Doom.
Analysis: This was the type of match that Gallows and Anderson should always have, competitive and hard-hitting. While they had to lose to continue building The Hardy Boyz momentum for their final match against Cesaro and Sheamus, the duo looked great in defeat, challenging The Hardys until the end.
I'm still waiting for a full three hour Elias Samson concert Raw.
Finn Balor def. Bo Dallas
Overview: Elias Samson tried to tune his guitar before a performance only to be interrupted by Balor and walking off. Bo Dallas assaulted Finn Balor before their match, trying to gain an advantage. However, Balor found his way back once the bell rang and went after Dallas with equal aggression. He landed a corner dropkick into the Coup De Grace for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Bo debuted a new look in this match as well as a beard that all helped make him look far more like a threat. Unfortunately, even with the early flurry, he still was playing the same character with the same success. At 27 years old, Bo still has time to find his way on the main roster, but he really feels wasted in squashes for Balor (even if the last guy Balor squashed who got physical with Balor is now WWE Champion).
Highlights:
- Bo connected with Balor's head with a running knee into the barricade.
- Balor managed to find separation after an overhead kick.
- Balor repeatedly hit Bo with elevated stomps then a bicycle kick off the apron followed by throwing him into the barricade around the ring.
Analysis: Bo debuted a new look in this match as well as a beard that all helped make him look far more like a threat. Unfortunately, even with the early flurry, he still was playing the same character with the same success. At 27 years old, Bo still has time to find his way on the main roster, but he really feels wasted in squashes for Balor (even if the last guy Balor squashed who got physical with Balor is now WWE Champion).
The true story development moment here will be when Wyatt admits he's just jealous he didn't the video game cover.
Seth Rollins Celebrates His 2K18 Cover and Refuses to Be Intimidated by Bray Wyatt
Overview: Seth Rollins talked about how excited he was to be on the cover of WWE 2K18, refusing to be defined by the mistakes he made by joining The Authority. Bray Wyatt interrupted and laughed at Rollins for being defined by material success. Rollins refused to be intimidated. Wyatt headed to the ring only to take Rollins' diving crossbody to the outside.
Analysis: The story around Rollins and Wyatt is solid, but there's not much to trust or latch onto. Rollins is unafraid of Wyatt, and Wyatt finds Rollins to be arrogant and disrespectful. The problem here is that Rollins is saying the same thing others have said, and the faces always end up true, further discrediting Wyatt.
Analysis: The story around Rollins and Wyatt is solid, but there's not much to trust or latch onto. Rollins is unafraid of Wyatt, and Wyatt finds Rollins to be arrogant and disrespectful. The problem here is that Rollins is saying the same thing others have said, and the faces always end up true, further discrediting Wyatt.
We have truly reached the next generation of chants when "ah" is enough for a crowd.
Akira Tozawa def. TJ Perkins
Overview: Before this match could begin, Titus O'Neil interrupted, hyping this match. As the match began, Neville interrupted, angry about Titus' comment again that Akira Tozawa was the next Cruiserweight Champion. In a competitive bout, Tozawa took the win after a diving senton. Titus again tried to sway Tozawa with Neville interrupting and promising to annihilate Tozawa with Titus responded by promoting Tozawa.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a quality bout between two of the best in the division. Tozawa has truly taken to the WWE style and found his explosiveness, and he works really well with TJP. The match was a great showcase for both men that made the future clash of Neville and Tozawa more exciting. I also am really liking Titus as a manager. He's a hack but feels truly invested in his talent.
Highlights:
- Tozawa sent TJP to the apron with a headscissors takedown only for TJP to catch him running with an elbow with Tozawa dodging a dive and hitting a side kick and a standing senton into the knees of TJP.
- TJP sent Tozawa over his head into the top turnbuckle followed by a spinning roundhouse.
- TJP landed a sudden springboard corkscrew elbow.
- Tozawa flipped out of a suplex then TJP blocked Tozawa's suplex but ran right into a pump kick.
- TJP rolled outside to avoid a diving senton but could not avoid a suicide dive.
- TJP landed the double chickenwing gutbuster, but Tozawa ducked the Detonation Kick then connected with an enzuigiri followed by a gutwrench suplex.
Analysis: This was a quality bout between two of the best in the division. Tozawa has truly taken to the WWE style and found his explosiveness, and he works really well with TJP. The match was a great showcase for both men that made the future clash of Neville and Tozawa more exciting. I also am really liking Titus as a manager. He's a hack but feels truly invested in his talent.
And he's still not finished with you!
Samoa Joe def. Roman Reigns
Overview: Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns warred with both men taking the best shot of the other and kicking out. Just as Reigns looked poised for another Spear, an ambulance backed up into the arena with Braun Strowman bursting out with Reigns unable to look away, taking a Coquina Clutch.
Strowman headed out to the ring and planted Reigns with a reverse chokeslam before challenging him to an ambulance match at Great Balls of Fire.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a really good television match with Joe and Reigns looking far better together in their second clash than they did their first. The excitement was higher with Joe made a bigger deal. In the end, Joe looked incredible, further putting over the Coquina Clutch, and Reigns vs. Strowman is back on with their ambulance match only delayed a month.
Strowman headed out to the ring and planted Reigns with a reverse chokeslam before challenging him to an ambulance match at Great Balls of Fire.
Highlights:
- Reigns caught Joe with a Samoan drop then went for a Drive By, but Joe rolled away, back-kicked Reigns then slammed him into the post followed by a running senton on the floor.
- Reigns missed a clothesline but managed to rebound into a big boot on Joe.
- Joe avoided a Superman Punch by going outside but then took a Drive By.
- Joe connected with an inverted atomic drop into a big boot then running senton.
- Reigns caught Joe with a Superman Punch for a nearfall.
- Reigns caught Reigns' spear with a kick then landed a uranage.
- Reigns battled out of the Coquina Clutch then hit a Spear only for Joe to get his leg on the bottom rope.
Analysis: This was a really good television match with Joe and Reigns looking far better together in their second clash than they did their first. The excitement was higher with Joe made a bigger deal. In the end, Joe looked incredible, further putting over the Coquina Clutch, and Reigns vs. Strowman is back on with their ambulance match only delayed a month.
Bo is getting ready for his Wyatt Family run, but he'll settle for The Miz Entourage for now.
Dean Ambrose Ruins The Miz's Apology to Maryse and Meets Miz's Entourage
Overview: The Miz hosted Miz TV with Maryse with a Miz Bear and Maryse Bear that he checked out ahead of time as well as fixing the grandfather clock he ruined. Dean Ambrose interrupted just as the two were kissing, having made up, and Miz accidentally spilled champagne in her hair then ran into the clock, breaking it again.
Maryse stormed off, and Ambrose clotheslined Miz out of the ring only to be assaulted by the two bears who were revealed to be Miz's new entourage, Bo and Curtis Axel. Miz ended it with a Skull Crushing Finale on Ambrose.
Analysis: This worked perfectly in WWE's likely goal of moving Maryse off television and giving him new backup. It was surprising to see Bo and Axel so quickly moved into a new role, but the entourage should keep both relevant for a while and allow Miz to lead a stable, a role he should be great at.
Maryse stormed off, and Ambrose clotheslined Miz out of the ring only to be assaulted by the two bears who were revealed to be Miz's new entourage, Bo and Curtis Axel. Miz ended it with a Skull Crushing Finale on Ambrose.
Analysis: This worked perfectly in WWE's likely goal of moving Maryse off television and giving him new backup. It was surprising to see Bo and Axel so quickly moved into a new role, but the entourage should keep both relevant for a while and allow Miz to lead a stable, a role he should be great at.
The Titus brand is expanding to all markets and all divisions. Who knows what he could do with, say, Dana Brooke? He might teach her to wrestle.
Sheamus and Cesaro def. Titus O'Neil and Apollo Crews
Overview: Titus O'Neil's power was on full display in this match as he threw Cesaro around with ease; however, he could not keep up Cesaro's speed. When Crews was isolated against Cesaro and Sheamus, Cesaro caught Crews with an uppercut behind the referee's back then tagged in Cesaro for a White Noise/diving neckbreaker combo for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: If you are going to show off the tag team champions in a squash, this is how you do it. The match had little to it except the story which was great. Titus and Crews headed in with confidence and ran into a bulldozer of a team that simply outmatched them. The Titus brand story continues to be one of Raw's best.
Highlights:
- Titus launched Cesaro across the ring then hit him with a body avalanche followed by a big boot.
- Titus dodged a dive followed by a body avalanche in the corner, tagging in Crews for a standing moonsault.
Analysis: If you are going to show off the tag team champions in a squash, this is how you do it. The match had little to it except the story which was great. Titus and Crews headed in with confidence and ran into a bulldozer of a team that simply outmatched them. The Titus brand story continues to be one of Raw's best.
Bayley is back, and she's just the same as ever.
Nia Jax def. Sasha Banks By Disqualification
Overview: Alexa Bliss watched this match on commentary until Emma came after Bliss for leaving her last week, sending Bliss running to the ring after Banks planted Jax with diving double knees. Emma accidentally kicked Jax to cause a disqualification. Then a brawl broke out with Mickie James and Dana Brooke evening the odds before Bayley came out and cleaned shop, even taking out Jax with a diving bulldog.
Analysis: This whole women's division story feels lazy right now. Everyone is involved because nothing can be organized into stories. This will likely lead to a situation similar to SmackDown's women's division early on with an elimination or gauntlet match for the title.
Analysis: This whole women's division story feels lazy right now. Everyone is involved because nothing can be organized into stories. This will likely lead to a situation similar to SmackDown's women's division early on with an elimination or gauntlet match for the title.
Enzo Amore can't believe it. When did Cass get smart enough to stage his own assault?
Big Cass is Revealed to Be Enzo Amore's Attacker
Overview: Kurt Angle first brought out Enzo and Cass followed by the potential culprits The Revival and Big Show. Show refused to take the questions, not believing anyone could see him as one who would sneak attack. Corey Graves suddenly interrupted and said that Big Cass was not treated for injuries at all.
Graves showed security footage of Cass setting the scene of his own attack with Cass snapping, cutting down Enzo in a scathing promo where he said he was finally done putting up with Enzo. He big booted Enzo and walked away with Angle attending to Enzo.
Analysis: It was surprising to see this main event over Reigns vs. Joe especially with Strowman's return, but it shows major confidence in Big Cass. Cass earned that trust tonight with the best proimo of his career by a wide margin. Enzo was also fantastic in his stunned teary-eyed acting.
Cass has always been groomed for a major role, but he has one fault: he only looks comfortable when Enzo is around. I wonder if this promo was still only great because he was talking directly to Enzo. Still, if Cass continues to show that confidence going forward, he can be a major star. Enzo is charismatic fire, but I wonder if he survives this break up.
Graves showed security footage of Cass setting the scene of his own attack with Cass snapping, cutting down Enzo in a scathing promo where he said he was finally done putting up with Enzo. He big booted Enzo and walked away with Angle attending to Enzo.
Analysis: It was surprising to see this main event over Reigns vs. Joe especially with Strowman's return, but it shows major confidence in Big Cass. Cass earned that trust tonight with the best proimo of his career by a wide margin. Enzo was also fantastic in his stunned teary-eyed acting.
Cass has always been groomed for a major role, but he has one fault: he only looks comfortable when Enzo is around. I wonder if this promo was still only great because he was talking directly to Enzo. Still, if Cass continues to show that confidence going forward, he can be a major star. Enzo is charismatic fire, but I wonder if he survives this break up.
The dream match is finally realized. Who wasn't waiting for this clash of titans?
Final Notes: In a Shattered Dreams Productions promo, Goldust invited R-Truth to the premiere of his new movie Shattered Truth next week. Truth responded later by accepting the invite. An angry Bo was being consoled by Axel until Miz interrupted, offering them a position on his entourage.
Corey Graves tried to talk to Kurt Angle about dangerous texts sent to them both before Enzo and Cass interrupted, calling out Big Show, with Angle promising to figure out the culprits of the attacks tonight. A promo video hyping Brock Lesnar vs. Joe was shown.
As Balor was talking about Joe vs. Reigns tonight and his future sights set on the Universal Championship, Samson attacked Balor and made clear to him he should never interrupt his performances. Just before their match, Joe promised to make Reigns put respect on his name.
Conclusion: Whenever WWE is seemingly stuck on a string of bad shows, they always pull it back to show why wrestling can be worth the time invested. This was a fantastic show that had no down moments as well as several quality matches and some game-changing moments.
This might have been the best Raw of the year, and it almost came out of nowhere. Strowman's return was expected only in that he was cleared with his actual appearance a shock. Cass's turn was the best outcome seemingly, but its presentation was the true high point with both men on point.
Great Ball of Fire is shaping up to be a surprisingly strong show. WWE has many matches that have huge build behind them alongside a main event with small but near-perfect build behind it. For at least one week, Raw has taken back its crown from SmackDown Live.
Corey Graves tried to talk to Kurt Angle about dangerous texts sent to them both before Enzo and Cass interrupted, calling out Big Show, with Angle promising to figure out the culprits of the attacks tonight. A promo video hyping Brock Lesnar vs. Joe was shown.
As Balor was talking about Joe vs. Reigns tonight and his future sights set on the Universal Championship, Samson attacked Balor and made clear to him he should never interrupt his performances. Just before their match, Joe promised to make Reigns put respect on his name.
Conclusion: Whenever WWE is seemingly stuck on a string of bad shows, they always pull it back to show why wrestling can be worth the time invested. This was a fantastic show that had no down moments as well as several quality matches and some game-changing moments.
This might have been the best Raw of the year, and it almost came out of nowhere. Strowman's return was expected only in that he was cleared with his actual appearance a shock. Cass's turn was the best outcome seemingly, but its presentation was the true high point with both men on point.
Great Ball of Fire is shaping up to be a surprisingly strong show. WWE has many matches that have huge build behind them alongside a main event with small but near-perfect build behind it. For at least one week, Raw has taken back its crown from SmackDown Live.