Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Does last week's Raw count as the true start of the summer of WWE? Because it certainly wasn't Money in the Bank, and it wasn't any of the Raws or SmackDowns before that show. Last week's Raw though was quality WWE for the first time in a long time.
Now, with new dynamics and stories for multiple top star on Raw, the road to... Great Balls of Fire is heating up, and I can only hope that WWE has a few more surprises left as they threw a whole lot into that one episode. At least we have the guarantee that Raw MVP Braun Strowman is back.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw
Now, with new dynamics and stories for multiple top star on Raw, the road to... Great Balls of Fire is heating up, and I can only hope that WWE has a few more surprises left as they threw a whole lot into that one episode. At least we have the guarantee that Raw MVP Braun Strowman is back.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw
And suddenly all feels right in the world. Oh how Raw has missed a man who will just throw a guy into an ambulance because he can.
Braun Strowman Easily Throws Roman Reigns Into an Ambulance
Overview: Roman Reigns gave credit to Samoa Joe before accepting the challenge of Strowman for an ambulance match with an ambulance backing into the arena. Reigns opened and found it empty only to be attacked from behind by Strowman. The Monster Among Men threw Reigns into the side of the ambulance then sent him inside.
Analysis: This segment was quick and effective. Reigns didn't speak too long, and Strowman's dominance was quickly reestablished. This made it clear that it will take a grand performance by Reigns to even survive ten minutes in an ambulance match against Strowman.
Analysis: This segment was quick and effective. Reigns didn't speak too long, and Strowman's dominance was quickly reestablished. This made it clear that it will take a grand performance by Reigns to even survive ten minutes in an ambulance match against Strowman.
CFO$, meet your competition for making the next generation of WWE theme songs.
The Hardy Boyz and Finn Balor def. Sheamus & Cesaro and Elias Samson
Overview: Elias Samson tried to perform with Cesaro and Sheamus with The Hardy Boyz interrupting before anyone began singing. As actor Josh Duhamel watched on commentary, the heels isolated Jeff and Matt Hardy, avoiding Finn Balor throughout. However, when Balor got the hot tag, he run over his opponents, ending the match with a Coup De Grace on Cesaro.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid six-man tag that proved once more how good Sheamus and Cesaro are with The Hardy Boyz. It was also a great showcase of the potential of rivalries between Balor and either Cesaro & Sheamus in the future. Samson unfortunately felt underused here, playing the role of distraction for the most part.
Highlights:
- The Hardy Boyz hit Poetry in Motion on Sheamus then a double suplex on Cesaro.
- Samson caught the leg of Jeff to allow Sheamus to catch Jeff with a bicycle knee in the ropes.
- Matt hit Samson with a bulldog into a Side Effect.
- Sheamus and Cesaro connected with the White Noise/diving neckbrekaer combo on Matt with Balor breaking the pin up.
- Balor took out the heels with a somersault plancha then hit Cesaro back in the ring with the Slingblade into a corner dropkick.
Analysis: This was a solid six-man tag that proved once more how good Sheamus and Cesaro are with The Hardy Boyz. It was also a great showcase of the potential of rivalries between Balor and either Cesaro & Sheamus in the future. Samson unfortunately felt underused here, playing the role of distraction for the most part.
Hey, cameraman, you're missing your man. What a hack!
Goldust Presents the Shattered Truth By Filming R-Truth's Destruction
Overview: Goldust came to the ring with his own personal cameraman, using him to block the way of R-Truth who stormed to the ring. The distraction allowed Goldust to beat down and brutalize Truth as the cameraman filmed everything closely, ending with Goldust standing above Truth who was hurt under the bottom turnbuckle.
Analysis: This was the right decision. It worked as a reintroduction of old school Goldust while not wasting the grudge match of Goldust vs. Truth. Now the two can have their big moment at Great Balls of Fire. This feud has been well built, and I would hope the match gets time to deliver.
Analysis: This was the right decision. It worked as a reintroduction of old school Goldust while not wasting the grudge match of Goldust vs. Truth. Now the two can have their big moment at Great Balls of Fire. This feud has been well built, and I would hope the match gets time to deliver.
And some people wonder why wrestling isn't taken seriously.
The Miz and The Miztourage def. Heath Slater & Rhyno and Dean Ambrose
Overview: The Miz introduced LaVar Ball who then introduced his son, the Lakers top pick Lonzo Ball. Miz and LaVar quickly got into a fight with Dean Ambrose coming out to break it up, ready to fight. The Miztrouage, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, helped The Miz beat down and isolate Rhyno and Heath Slater and avoid Ambrose until Miz cheap-shotted Rhyno to set up a Bo roll up.
Highlights:
Analysis: The less said about The Miz TV segment, the better. The Ball family adlibbed constantly and left Miz to try to salvage the pieces before Ambrose was sent out to force a quick close. The match that followed was better though perhaps was too heel focused to make much impact.
Highlights:
- Rhyno exploded out of the corner with a shoulder tackle to Miz.
- Miz fought out of a Dirty Deeds but backed into Slater and Rhyno who threw him over the top rope into Axel and Bo.
- Miz knocked Ambrose off the apron but turned into a leg lariat from Slater.
Analysis: The less said about The Miz TV segment, the better. The Ball family adlibbed constantly and left Miz to try to salvage the pieces before Ambrose was sent out to force a quick close. The match that followed was better though perhaps was too heel focused to make much impact.
I'm not crying. You're crying!
Big Cass Plays Enzo Again and Beats Him Down
Overview: Enzo Amore came out solo and called out Big Cass to speak to him, face to face. Enzo talked to Cass directly, still calling him his brother. He was ready to forget about what Cass did and move on. Cass seemed to agree, apologizing for all he did.
The two walked out of the ring together before Cass clotheslined him into the stage then sent him down the ramp with a fallaway slam. Afterward, Cass threatened Corey Graves at the announce table, making clear he would make him pay even though Kurt Angle won't allow him to touch Graves.
Analysis: This was another quality segment between these two with Enzo taking the lead role on the mic this time. His begging was emotional and sold his character better than he ever has. It was easy to sympathize with Enzo, and Cass gained even more heat with this fakeout.
The two walked out of the ring together before Cass clotheslined him into the stage then sent him down the ramp with a fallaway slam. Afterward, Cass threatened Corey Graves at the announce table, making clear he would make him pay even though Kurt Angle won't allow him to touch Graves.
Analysis: This was another quality segment between these two with Enzo taking the lead role on the mic this time. His begging was emotional and sold his character better than he ever has. It was easy to sympathize with Enzo, and Cass gained even more heat with this fakeout.
Rollins warming up for Wyatt with a wrestler with an equally impressive win-loss record.
Seth Rollins def. Curt Hawkins
Overview: Curt Hawkins made clear before this match he was not going to lose despite everyone expecting him to. He managed to catch Seth Rollins off guard and dominate early, but Rollins ran over him with his signature moves and hit the Kingslayer for the win. Afterward, Bray Wyatt appeared on the titantron and challenged Rollins to a match at Great Balls of Fire.
Analysis: This was slightly interesting just because Hawkins came out swinging, but it was still basically a squash. Rollins hit all his signature moves in sequence then finished it off with his new finisher. Wyatt didn't even play much a role, just setting up a match that was already guaranteed.
Analysis: This was slightly interesting just because Hawkins came out swinging, but it was still basically a squash. Rollins hit all his signature moves in sequence then finished it off with his new finisher. Wyatt didn't even play much a role, just setting up a match that was already guaranteed.
Lesnar has been carrying that Universal Championship around too long. His face is changing colors to match its bright red.
Samoa Joe Proves Even Brock Lesnar Cannot Break the Coquina Clutch
Overview: Paul Heyman hyped up this segment before bringing out Brock Lesnar who walked out confident only to be attacked from behind by Samoa Joe who immediately locked in the Coquina Clutch. Lesnar sent Joe repeatedly into the screen but could not escape the hold with wrestlers running in to break up the action.
Analysis: This past month of booking for Joe has been incredible. It is a shame WWE hasn't been making him look this good from the start. Lesnar just put over Joe in a way I never expected. It may be showing that Lesnar is ready to put in his all against Joe, putting over one of WWE's best even if Joe loses.
Analysis: This past month of booking for Joe has been incredible. It is a shame WWE hasn't been making him look this good from the start. Lesnar just put over Joe in a way I never expected. It may be showing that Lesnar is ready to put in his all against Joe, putting over one of WWE's best even if Joe loses.
Akira Tozawa didn't sell out. He bought in... on the greatest brand in WWE history.
Neville def. Lince Dorado
Overview: Akira Tozawa watched in a special Titus Worldwide section as this match went down. While Lince Dorado put up a solid fight early on, he took a big running low-angle dropkick followed by locking in the Rings of Saturn with a quick tapout. Tozawa walked into the ring only for Titus O'Neil to interrupt and not let the two brawl for free, making clear Neville vs. Tozawa was official for Great Balls of Fire.
Analysis: Dorado finally reappears only to quickly disappear back into the background. This was just a squash to set up the reveal that Titus has booked Tozawa for a title match. It is interesting that Titus is finally starting to show real power. He has fully taken up the role of manager.
Analysis: Dorado finally reappears only to quickly disappear back into the background. This was just a squash to set up the reveal that Titus has booked Tozawa for a title match. It is interesting that Titus is finally starting to show real power. He has fully taken up the role of manager.
Hey, Sasha Banks hasn't gotten hurt for a couple months. Guess it's time to test fate again.
Sasha Banks Wins a No. 1 Contender Gauntlet Match, Last Eliminating Nia Jax
Overview: Bayley and Nia Jax started with Jax eliminating Bayley with a Samoan drop. Jax then took out Mickie James by countering the Mick-DT and hitting a body avalanche. Dana Brooke lasted 10 seconds before taking a running leg drop. Emma lasted about 15 before diving into a Samoan drop for the elimination.
Banks managed to reverse the Samoan drop into another Bank Statement on Jax's shoulders with Jax falling to her knees and tapping out. Kurt Angle came out to raise the hand of Banks before Alexa Bliss interrupted only to be dropkicked out of the ring by Banks.
Highlights:
Analysis: After Bayley and Jax started this match, the result was fairly predictable. The booking at times was a bit questionable with Jax being put massively over everyone but Banks including Bayley and Emma. It was possible to make Jax look great and let Bayley shine a bit at least as well. It certainly wasn't necessary for Emma to go out so quickly.
Still, this was an excellent main event overall with the final battle between Jax and Banks especially great, the best we have seen from the pairing by a wide margin. This may not be how you put over a division, but it is how you make stars in your division. Honestly, Jax was made more by this than anyone and arguably should have won, going 33 minutes before losing.
Banks managed to reverse the Samoan drop into another Bank Statement on Jax's shoulders with Jax falling to her knees and tapping out. Kurt Angle came out to raise the hand of Banks before Alexa Bliss interrupted only to be dropkicked out of the ring by Banks.
Highlights:
- Bayley caught Jax in the ropes then hit a running knee off the apron.
- Bayley planted Jax with a diving elbow to the back of Jax who was leaning down.
- Jax kicked Bayley right into the corner with Bayley pushing her away with double boots only to be quickly dropped off the top rope.
- Mickie failed to connect with a sunset flip on Jax and was caught with a bear hug.
- Mickie caught Jax with a dropkick then two side kicks followed by a diving senton.
- Emma bounced the throat of Jax off the ropes then hit a dropkick followed by a low-angle dropkick.
- Banks was caught mid-suicide dive but blocked the Samoan drop and managed to take Jax down with a double knee drop off the apron.
- Banks bounced off the ropes right into a body avalanche.
- Banks fought back with forearms but ran into a running shoulder followed by a hip shot into the ropes.
- Jax targeted the leg and sent Banks outside for a potential count out, immediately locking her in a bear hug upon her return with Banks trying to turn it into a guillotine before being slammed into the mat.
- Banks tried to roll up Jax then dodged a leg drop followed by a running knee strike.
- Banks caught Jax in a standing Bank Statement but then ran into a Samoan drop, managing to roll to the apron to stop the pinfall.
Analysis: After Bayley and Jax started this match, the result was fairly predictable. The booking at times was a bit questionable with Jax being put massively over everyone but Banks including Bayley and Emma. It was possible to make Jax look great and let Bayley shine a bit at least as well. It certainly wasn't necessary for Emma to go out so quickly.
Still, this was an excellent main event overall with the final battle between Jax and Banks especially great, the best we have seen from the pairing by a wide margin. This may not be how you put over a division, but it is how you make stars in your division. Honestly, Jax was made more by this than anyone and arguably should have won, going 33 minutes before losing.
Heyman's so good he can almost sell you on Great Balls of Fire as an actual wrestling show name.
Final Notes: Before his match with Truth, Goldust cut one more promo about how excited he was for his premiere. Throughout the night, the women were shown using the tumbler to pick out their numbers for the gauntlet match. Bliss found Jax backstage and tried to find common ground with her, only seeming to frustrate Jax.
Heyman talked about how Lesnar was going to call out Joe for a fight with Joe sneaking up on Heyman and scaring him. After the brawl, Heyman was interviewed and made clear this was going to be a true brutal fight.
Conclusion: This show started poorly. I tried to avoid talking about the celebrity appearances, but both detracted from the action. However, the show ramped up late and made it easy to forget about the forced attempts to make WWE look hip and cool again in Los Angeles.
What this Raw did was best was keep making Great Ball of Fire feel big time. It was a huge build-up show with many strong segments between rivals. Hopefully, next week will give more time to feuds that were underrepresented particularly Rollins vs. Wyatt and Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The Hardys.
This Raw surprised me especially with its excellent main event, and it did so in spite of a rough start. It certainly feels like WWE is truly ramping up its product once more.
Heyman talked about how Lesnar was going to call out Joe for a fight with Joe sneaking up on Heyman and scaring him. After the brawl, Heyman was interviewed and made clear this was going to be a true brutal fight.
Conclusion: This show started poorly. I tried to avoid talking about the celebrity appearances, but both detracted from the action. However, the show ramped up late and made it easy to forget about the forced attempts to make WWE look hip and cool again in Los Angeles.
What this Raw did was best was keep making Great Ball of Fire feel big time. It was a huge build-up show with many strong segments between rivals. Hopefully, next week will give more time to feuds that were underrepresented particularly Rollins vs. Wyatt and Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The Hardys.
This Raw surprised me especially with its excellent main event, and it did so in spite of a rough start. It certainly feels like WWE is truly ramping up its product once more.