Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Pause WrestleMania for a second. It's time. WWE is finally going to reveal if they have the capacity to actually pull off the Broken/Woken gimmick. With apparently full rights to the gimmick, we are on the precipice of WWE's first Deletion match with Bray Wyatt the perfect wrestler to include in the madness.
Recent signs are that WWE may finally be getting this all right, but I still have my doubts. I still remember the constant laughing matches and the awkward overused transitions. If this match is not silly and fun, scrap it all and let it go forever.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Recent signs are that WWE may finally be getting this all right, but I still have my doubts. I still remember the constant laughing matches and the awkward overused transitions. If this match is not silly and fun, scrap it all and let it go forever.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
The US Marshals are here to stop a man from violating his suspension but were more than okay with the murder that happened later in the show.
Roman Reigns Finally Gets Brock Lesnar But Not in a Fair Fight
Overview: Roman Reigns interrupted Kurt Angle as he was telling Braun Strowman he needs a tag team partner for WrestleMania. Reigns made clear he knew he was suspended but demanded he get to face Brock Lesnar anyway, refusing to leave the ring.
US Marshals came down and arrested Reigns who beat them up after being handcuffed with Lesnar then arriving and destroying Reigns. With Reigns completely unable to fight back, The Beast hit him with a steel chair, kept suplexing him, then hit an F5. As Reigns was stretchered out of the ring, Lesnar knocked down the stretcher.
Analysis: This segment stretched the bounds of reality further than this story has ever gone after it was built so clearly around its realism. However, I'm all right with it because it was an extremely well done segment. This sold how much Lesnar had enough of Reigns' comments, making an example of him.
It does echo Reigns' previous feud with Braun Strowman which is dangerous if WWE wants to keep pushing Reigns as a face in this feud. Fans love cheering destruction, and that was obvious here especially with the "you deserve it" chant at Reigns as he was being stretchered back.
US Marshals came down and arrested Reigns who beat them up after being handcuffed with Lesnar then arriving and destroying Reigns. With Reigns completely unable to fight back, The Beast hit him with a steel chair, kept suplexing him, then hit an F5. As Reigns was stretchered out of the ring, Lesnar knocked down the stretcher.
Analysis: This segment stretched the bounds of reality further than this story has ever gone after it was built so clearly around its realism. However, I'm all right with it because it was an extremely well done segment. This sold how much Lesnar had enough of Reigns' comments, making an example of him.
It does echo Reigns' previous feud with Braun Strowman which is dangerous if WWE wants to keep pushing Reigns as a face in this feud. Fans love cheering destruction, and that was obvious here especially with the "you deserve it" chant at Reigns as he was being stretchered back.
Asuka def. Alexa Bliss By Count Out
Overview: Alexa Bliss refused to apologize to Nia Jax. Mickie James tried to help Bliss at every opportunity to potentially take the win, but, after Alexa Bliss struggled to make it to the ropes to break an ankle lock, she limped away, taking a count out loss. After the bell rang, Jax arrived, knocked down Mickie, and ran Bliss to the back.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a good match though not all that involved. Bliss played a fairly basic heel role here, and Asuka basically just threw a few kicks before the count out. The Asuka/Jax part of this segment was more interesting with this feud evolving quickly and effectively. Fans are clearly already behind her as she seeks to punish the bully.
Highlights:
- Asuka caught Bliss with a snap knee then a shining wizard before missing a corner hip attack with Mickie then distracting Asuka on the top rope to take a forearm and a knee that sent her to the floor.
- Bliss planted Asuka with a sunset flip powerbomb then a neckbreaker into a jumping double knee drop before missing the follow-up double knee moonsault.
Analysis: This was a good match though not all that involved. Bliss played a fairly basic heel role here, and Asuka basically just threw a few kicks before the count out. The Asuka/Jax part of this segment was more interesting with this feud evolving quickly and effectively. Fans are clearly already behind her as she seeks to punish the bully.
Get in as much wrestling here as you can guys. You're getting 3 minutes for a comedy squash at WM.
Braun Strowman def. Cesaro
Overview: Braun Strowman came to make clear he believed he could win the Raw Tag Team Championships all on his own which brought out The Bar to talk big. Strowman announced he would find his partner, but, for now, he was set to face one of the champions right now. Strowman managed to overcome Sheamus's distractions and hit Cesaro with a powerslam for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Cesaro and Strowman have solid chemistry that could be interesting to watch down the line. Here, he was clearly always going to be outmatched. It is now official Strowman needs a partner, and Elias would make the most sense based on the build. I also wouldn't mind a returning Samoa Joe if he's healthy or even the winless Curt Hawkins. There are many great options.
Highlights:
- Cesaro caugfht Strowman in a sleeper hold but was run into the corner, managing to fight back quickly with big boots.
- Cesaro dodged Strowman and sent him shoulder first into the post before dropkicking Strowman further into the post.
- Strowman picked up and dumped Cesaro to the floor with Cesaro recovering quickly and hitting Cesaro with a springboard corkscrew uppercut.
- Cesaro went for another springboard corkscrew uppercut but ran into an uppercut with Sheamus distracting Strowman from hitting a running powerslam.
Analysis: Cesaro and Strowman have solid chemistry that could be interesting to watch down the line. Here, he was clearly always going to be outmatched. It is now official Strowman needs a partner, and Elias would make the most sense based on the build. I also wouldn't mind a returning Samoa Joe if he's healthy or even the winless Curt Hawkins. There are many great options.
The Revival def. Titus Worldwide
Overview: Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder struggled a bit against the speed of Apollo, but they managed to outsmart Titus Worldwide, taking out Apollo with the Shatter Machine after Titus O'Neil was taken out of the action. Afterward, The Revival announced they would be the first tag team to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was ugly to watch. For whatever reason, these teams could not click on anything. Luckily, the match was short, and the right team won. The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is confirmed now for this year, but it's hard to get excited about especially with the women's battle royal likely to have way more stars.
Highlights:
- Titus went for Clash of the Titus on Dawson only to have Wilder dropkick him from behind.
- Apollo ran over both members of The Revival before catching Dawson with a standing moonsault.
- Dawson rolled through a diving crossbody and got a handful of tights to try and steal the win.
Analysis: This was ugly to watch. For whatever reason, these teams could not click on anything. Luckily, the match was short, and the right team won. The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is confirmed now for this year, but it's hard to get excited about especially with the women's battle royal likely to have way more stars.
The payoff for this whole angle will be Sasha Banks once again taking out Bayley in the women's battle royal.
Absolution def. Sasha Banks and Bayley
Overview: Sasha Banks tried to finally settle this issue, forgiving Bayley, but Bayley was not having it, questioning why it was so easy for Banks to hurt her in the Elimination Chamber. After more miscommunication between the friends, Sonya Deville ran knocked Bayley into Banks before hitting a jumping roundhouse for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: Bayley vs. Banks continues to evolve in interesting ways. There was a moment in the promo that Banks' facial expression sold her hidden darkness, and it was perfect. I am a bit worried this feud will be stuck in the battle royal which it doesn't deserve as one of the top 3 stories on Raw right now.
Highlights:
- Bayley hit a running elbow drop with Banks taking a blind tag and quickly getting whipped to the mat by Rose.
- Rose knocked down Banks with a bicycle knee then locked in a modified abdominal stretch that Banks turned into a hip toss only to run into a dropkick.
- Bayley planted Deville with a side suplex and back elbow in the corner into a diving back elbow and went for a backslide only to have Banks distract the referee inadvertently to save the pinfall.
Analysis: Bayley vs. Banks continues to evolve in interesting ways. There was a moment in the promo that Banks' facial expression sold her hidden darkness, and it was perfect. I am a bit worried this feud will be stuck in the battle royal which it doesn't deserve as one of the top 3 stories on Raw right now.
John Cena Gets an Unexplained Response from Kane
Overview: John Cena again called out The Undertaker, this time saying he was a coward because he refused to even answer the challenge. Kane came out and had no answer, just a chokeslam from Kane.
Analysis: This segment was necessary to keep the story going, but it was a mess. Cena came off as over-the-top, and Kane answering was poorly delivered. Commentary tried to sell this as a sign we could see Cena vs. Kane at WrestleMania, but that's just ridiculous. I expect this was just Kane telling Cena to stop insulting his brother.
Analysis: This segment was necessary to keep the story going, but it was a mess. Cena came off as over-the-top, and Kane answering was poorly delivered. Commentary tried to sell this as a sign we could see Cena vs. Kane at WrestleMania, but that's just ridiculous. I expect this was just Kane telling Cena to stop insulting his brother.
I wonder if Wyatt's deletion will end up getting him to finally see the true light and become a fashion icon like his brother.
Balor Club def. The Miz and The Miztourage
Overview: The Miz complained about all the disrespect he is getting including missing the WWE Magazine cover for WrestleMania. Seth Rollins watched on commentary as The Miz and The Miztourage battled Balor Club. Finn Balor managed to knock Miz into Curtis Axel and roll up Miz for the win. Afterward, Miztourage kept beating down on Balor Club until Rollins made the save and Curb Stomped Miz.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine but a pretty clear stalling segment for this feud. You could have this triple threat tomorrow, and it would likely be just as heated as in April. I just want one more big segment out of this trio for the sake of Raw. I'm watching the triple threat regardless though.
Highlights:
- Miz flipped Balor with a lifted knee strike then Axel tagged in for a snapmare into a running neck snap.
- Anderson got the hot tag for a series of clothesline to Axel into a single-leg dropkick then a running corner single-leg enzuigiri and diving neckbreaker.
- Balor rolled through a Skull Crushing Finale into a roll up then blocked a second with a back elbow.
Analysis: This match was fine but a pretty clear stalling segment for this feud. You could have this triple threat tomorrow, and it would likely be just as heated as in April. I just want one more big segment out of this trio for the sake of Raw. I'm watching the triple threat regardless though.
Matt Hardy def. Bray Wyatt in the Ultimate Deletion
Overview: Bray Wyatt arrived with his lantern to the Hardy Compound and was directed by Vanguard 1 to a ring to start the match. Matt Hardy fought Wyatt to a house that reminded him of his old home. The fight raged to the Lake of Reincarnation where Señor Benjamin and Brother Nero distracted Wyatt for a Twist of Fate and the win.
Afterward, as Wyatt made clear this was not over, Matt knocked Wyatt into the Lake of Reincarnation, and the Eater of Worlds could not be found. Matt declared this meant Wyatt was deleted, and the Great War was finally over.
Highlights:
Analysis: I don't really know what I expected. This was fine for what it was, fun enough. That said, I was expecting it to be better edited and have more memorable moments. The whole segment seemed to be focused on recreating the moments of the Final Deletion to catch up a new audience, but it was far less interesting. I do hope this leads somewhere for Wyatt now that he's been "deleted".
Afterward, as Wyatt made clear this was not over, Matt knocked Wyatt into the Lake of Reincarnation, and the Eater of Worlds could not be found. Matt declared this meant Wyatt was deleted, and the Great War was finally over.
Highlights:
- Matt fought off a Sister Abigail but ran right into a clothesline.
- Wyatt went after Matt with a steel chair before fireworks start shooting off, distracting Wyatt long enough for Matt to take the chair and bash Wyatt with it.
- Matt hid in a graveyard with Wyatt breaking his kendo stick trying to find Matt.
- Matt tried to run over Wyatt with a lawnmower, but it stopped because of Wyatt's spider walk.
Analysis: I don't really know what I expected. This was fine for what it was, fun enough. That said, I was expecting it to be better edited and have more memorable moments. The whole segment seemed to be focused on recreating the moments of the Final Deletion to catch up a new audience, but it was far less interesting. I do hope this leads somewhere for Wyatt now that he's been "deleted".
Even Kane, who would rather be running for mayor right now, is appalled by Cena right now.
Final Notes: Bliss interrupted Angle in his office and demanded repercussions for Jax's actions. Angle decided Bliss would put her title on the line against Jax at WrestleMania because Bliss's words showed she was a bad role model. A video package was shown for Mark Henry's Hall of Fame induction.
Matt Hardy was shown with his family and Señor Benjamin at the Hardy Compound, preparing for annihilation. Later, he was shown getting inspiration from a giraffe inhabited by the spirit of George Washington. He then took a ride in the dilapidated boat Skarsgård.
An interview for Ronda Rousey with Kurt Angle aired with Rousey going over her feelings in her last days as a fighter and her dreams for her work in WWE.
Conclusion: There was more wrestling this week, but it felt like the night was going through the motions. The only match I am more excited about now than I was before Raw started is Reigns vs. Lesnar. The rest developed but not in much of a meaningful way.
The Ultimate Deletion ended up feeling like a weird way to main event a show leading into 'Mania with neither Hardy or Wyatt booked for that show, but it was worked well enough to be the best part of a bad feud. Perhaps the followup will lead to something more interesting.
While I had been somewhat annoyed with recent episodes of Raw for their lack of wrestling, this was the first to feel annoying in a while. The three hours really stuck out this week, and I can only hope bigger ideas are coming soon with WM just a few weeks away.
Matt Hardy was shown with his family and Señor Benjamin at the Hardy Compound, preparing for annihilation. Later, he was shown getting inspiration from a giraffe inhabited by the spirit of George Washington. He then took a ride in the dilapidated boat Skarsgård.
An interview for Ronda Rousey with Kurt Angle aired with Rousey going over her feelings in her last days as a fighter and her dreams for her work in WWE.
Conclusion: There was more wrestling this week, but it felt like the night was going through the motions. The only match I am more excited about now than I was before Raw started is Reigns vs. Lesnar. The rest developed but not in much of a meaningful way.
The Ultimate Deletion ended up feeling like a weird way to main event a show leading into 'Mania with neither Hardy or Wyatt booked for that show, but it was worked well enough to be the best part of a bad feud. Perhaps the followup will lead to something more interesting.
While I had been somewhat annoyed with recent episodes of Raw for their lack of wrestling, this was the first to feel annoying in a while. The three hours really stuck out this week, and I can only hope bigger ideas are coming soon with WM just a few weeks away.
