Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WrestleMania week is here. With less than six days to go before the biggest show of the WWE year, every moment matters. Monday Night Raw was not only focused upon final encounters between rivals but also finally settling matches that had not officially been declared yet.
Seth Rollins was set to sign a hold-harmless agreement to set up a match against Triple H while Goldberg and Brock Lesnar would face off one last time before WrestleMania. Mind games would continue on the road to The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho.
What truly mattered was that the excitement for Mania rose to its highest point by the time Raw ended.
Seth Rollins was set to sign a hold-harmless agreement to set up a match against Triple H while Goldberg and Brock Lesnar would face off one last time before WrestleMania. Mind games would continue on the road to The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho.
What truly mattered was that the excitement for Mania rose to its highest point by the time Raw ended.
Sorry, Nia, the Opposite Momentum rule is coming for you now.
Bayley and Sasha Banks def. Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax.
Overview: Bayley came out to talk up performing at WrestleMania before Charlotte Flair interrupting, berating Bayley for not seeing through Sasha Banks who came out to defend herself. Nia Jax grew tired of the bickering and walked out to quickly start a brawl that led to a tag team match.
The faces largely isolated Sasha before she fought back and got the hot tag to Bayley who went off. Charlotte was then left alone in the ring for a Bayley-to-Belly for the win. Afterward, Jax destroyed everyone and held the title high among the carnage.
Highlights:
Analysis: The opening promo here was a mistake, isolating the women in their weakest element in a long segment. Luckily, the match made up for it, again showing how good the four have been in the ring lately. It bodes well for their match come WrestleMania.
It was great to hear that the match has been made elimination as it sets up for interesting dynamics. It can even allow Bayley her WrestleMania moment of cleanly pinning Charlotte to retain the championship and solidify her reign.
The faces largely isolated Sasha before she fought back and got the hot tag to Bayley who went off. Charlotte was then left alone in the ring for a Bayley-to-Belly for the win. Afterward, Jax destroyed everyone and held the title high among the carnage.
Highlights:
- Sasha stretched out Charlotte on the mat with a straitjacket hold, using her feet for extra pressure, until Charlotte battled to her feet and landed back elbows.
- Sasha caught Charlotte's boot, and the two battled to the ropes where Sasha hit a crossbody nearfall.
- Charlotte repeatedly kneed Sasha before bending her near in half with a only for Sasha to fight out with a headscissors then sent Charlotte into Jax.
Analysis: The opening promo here was a mistake, isolating the women in their weakest element in a long segment. Luckily, the match made up for it, again showing how good the four have been in the ring lately. It bodes well for their match come WrestleMania.
It was great to hear that the match has been made elimination as it sets up for interesting dynamics. It can even allow Bayley her WrestleMania moment of cleanly pinning Charlotte to retain the championship and solidify her reign.
You can almost already see the entire comeback sequence here.
Austin Aries def. Noam Dar
Overview: Neville watched the match on commentary as Austin Aries struggled early on against Noam Dar; however, Aries' serious moveset was too much for Dar. Aries fought back with a flurry that kept grounded Dar before Aries avoided Alicia Fox's distraction and hit the Discus Fivearm into the Last Chancery for the submission.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine but mostly a showcase for Aries who pulled out an impressive set of unique moves. Even though Dar dominated stretches, he never came off as a real threat. This was a lame way to end the build to the match between these two, and now their work is being relegated to the Kickoff which is a shame even on a huge card.
Highlights:
- As the bell rang, Aries hit a corner dropkick on a distracted Dar.
- Aries sent Dar into the turnbuckle followed by a tilt-a-whirl facebuster.
- Aries landed a gutbuster into a side slam into a pendulum elbow.
- A suicide dive followed by a neckbreaker on the ropes set up the rolling elbow only for Fox to distract Aries for a roll up nearfall.
Analysis: This match was fine but mostly a showcase for Aries who pulled out an impressive set of unique moves. Even though Dar dominated stretches, he never came off as a real threat. This was a lame way to end the build to the match between these two, and now their work is being relegated to the Kickoff which is a shame even on a huge card.
Triple H doesn't care about his business suit. He's still crane kicking your leg.
Seth Rollins Signs Away His Health to Get His Hands on Triple H
Overview: Triple H forced Seth Rollins to sit down and listen to what he was putting on the line by accepting this doomed match. Rollins was not intimidated and made clear this match was about reclaiming he truly was before he sold out to The Authority. Both men signed the contract, and HHH began a vicious attack only for Rollins to send him packing.
Analysis: Rollins is not a great mic worker most of the time, but this was a strong performance by Rollins who was given a fantastic script that he delivered the perfect hint of anger and frustration. Rollins' injury has been a surprising boon to the build of this feud which has been nearly perfect and never overstayed its welcome.
Analysis: Rollins is not a great mic worker most of the time, but this was a strong performance by Rollins who was given a fantastic script that he delivered the perfect hint of anger and frustration. Rollins' injury has been a surprising boon to the build of this feud which has been nearly perfect and never overstayed its welcome.
Wow, haven't seen Opposite Momentum this blatant in a while.
Big Show Wins an Over-The-Top Rope Challenge Against Jinder Mahal, Bo Dallas, and The Shining Stars
Overview: Big Show had some issues with Jinder Mahal but quickly chokeslammed him to the outside. He made equally quick work of Bo Dallas, flipping him over the rope. The Shining Stars tried to double team Show but were both lifted over the top.
Curtis Axel, Goldust, and R-Truth joined the fray with everyone teaming up and sending Show over the top. Show took this personally and chokeslammed every single wrestler until the Golden truth decided it wasn't worth the effort. Braun Strowman then came out and promised to win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Sunday.
Analysis: This was fairly similar to the usual build of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal though this time there is a clear favorite who can actually benefit from the victory. Strowman is almost certainly going to win the match with only Zayn a realistic challenger.
Curtis Axel, Goldust, and R-Truth joined the fray with everyone teaming up and sending Show over the top. Show took this personally and chokeslammed every single wrestler until the Golden truth decided it wasn't worth the effort. Braun Strowman then came out and promised to win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Sunday.
Analysis: This was fairly similar to the usual build of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal though this time there is a clear favorite who can actually benefit from the victory. Strowman is almost certainly going to win the match with only Zayn a realistic challenger.
It's good that Neville was kind enough to hand his spot on the main card to a guy who needed it like Flo Rida.
Neville def. Jack Gallagher
Overview: Jack Gallagher again showed off his aggression and fire against Neville, but he was unable to deal with a driven Neville. Neville's physicality was too much for Gallagher who was locked in the Rings of Saturn and forced to tap. Austin Aries appeared on the titantron, asking The New Day who would win on Sunday with the hosts all agreeing AA would win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a slightly better ending for Aries vs. Neville before Mania, but it was still a bit too unexciting and silly. Gallagher never got to wrestle at the level he did back at Fastlane, playing enhancement for Neville.
Highlights:
- Gallagher caught Neville off the rebound for a headbutt.
- Gallagher pulled out his umbrella to hit a top rope plancha.
- Neville sent Gallagher hard into the turnbuckle then set up a superplex.
Analysis: This was a slightly better ending for Aries vs. Neville before Mania, but it was still a bit too unexciting and silly. Gallagher never got to wrestle at the level he did back at Fastlane, playing enhancement for Neville.
WWE making sure to catch a picture of the one brave soul in Philly willing to admit he is a Reigns fan, sign and all.
Roman Reigns Refuses to Back Down to the Deadman's Mind Games
Overview: Roman Reigns came out to make clear he was not intimidated by The Undertaker only for a video to appear on the titantron with Taker promising to bury Reigns at WrestleMania. Taker then appeared in the ring to stare down Reigns and tell him he would rest in peace before the lights went back out.
Analysis: This did its job but did not add much to the feud. This would have been the moment for Taker or Reigns to do something memorable, particularly have Reigns mock Taker in a more clear heel role. Instead it was just a staredown.
Analysis: This did its job but did not add much to the feud. This would have been the moment for Taker or Reigns to do something memorable, particularly have Reigns mock Taker in a more clear heel role. Instead it was just a staredown.
And it was at that moment they knew the only way they were getting on the main card at Mania over Neville.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson Stand Tall Over Their Challengers
Overview: As Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson were making their way to the ring, Sheamus and Cesaro attacked them from behind with a ladder because of their attack backstage on the duo earlier. A flurry ensued with Enzo Amore and Big Cass getting involved as well with Gallows and Anderson standing tall.
Analysis: This added a bit to this WrestleMania match, but it did not help it feel like more than a Kickoff match even if it hasn't been announced as one of the matches on the preshow. This hinted that the tag team match would become a ladder match which would sell the match better.
Analysis: This added a bit to this WrestleMania match, but it did not help it feel like more than a Kickoff match even if it hasn't been announced as one of the matches on the preshow. This hinted that the tag team match would become a ladder match which would sell the match better.
Jericho didn't mourn the original List of Jericho long, did he?
Sami Zayn def. Kevin Owens in a No Disqualification Match to Save His Career and Earn a Spot in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Overview: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn quickly fought into the crowd then over to the stage. Zayn had KO reeling until the punishment began to take its toll. Zayn fought back only for Samoa Joe to try and uneven the odds. Chris Jericho fought off Joe with KO distracted for a roll up loss. Jericho then sent KO and Joe reeling with a steel chair.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a strong match even if it felt a bit too quickly over. Zayn and KO are always great together, and the stipulation allowed them to go off early. The brutality never hit top gear, but there was enough to make it a solid TV match main event.
For four men who have been so integral to Raw lately, it was weird to see how much they all felt a bit marginalized. Zayn earned a spot in the Kickoff battle royal while Jericho barely did anything tonight. Joe looks to not even be wrestling on Sunday, instead playing enforcer to Owens and HHH.
Highlights:
- Zayn hit a somersault senton off the stage right onto KO.
- Owens DDTed Zayn on the steel steps then hit a rolling senton off the steps.
- Zayn caught KO with an exploder suplex in the corner followed by a turnbuckle tornado DDT.
- Zayn ran right into a superkick then a frog splash for nearfalls.
- Zayn jumped out of the pump-up powerbomb into a Blue Thunder Bomb.
Analysis: This was a strong match even if it felt a bit too quickly over. Zayn and KO are always great together, and the stipulation allowed them to go off early. The brutality never hit top gear, but there was enough to make it a solid TV match main event.
For four men who have been so integral to Raw lately, it was weird to see how much they all felt a bit marginalized. Zayn earned a spot in the Kickoff battle royal while Jericho barely did anything tonight. Joe looks to not even be wrestling on Sunday, instead playing enforcer to Owens and HHH.
Who needs to watch the segments? We all know how this is ending. Can't spend too much time putting on a competent show.
Goldberg Once More Asserts Dominance Over Brock Lesnar
Overview: Paul Heyman showed respect to Goldberg but ultimately promised he was headed to Suplex City. Goldberg came out and promised to bring WrestleMania early to the Philadelphia crowd, Spearing Lesnar on the ramp to quickly end the preview fight.
Analysis: The promo by Heyman here did its job, but the action was lackluster. It was as if WWE really was considering this a preview for Sunday and only felt comfortable showing 1/10 of the action we'll see at WrestleMania in the 2 minute squash to come. They should have just let KO and Zayn main event as that had a more satisfying close.
Analysis: The promo by Heyman here did its job, but the action was lackluster. It was as if WWE really was considering this a preview for Sunday and only felt comfortable showing 1/10 of the action we'll see at WrestleMania in the 2 minute squash to come. They should have just let KO and Zayn main event as that had a more satisfying close.
That awkward moment when your friend tries to make a racist joke.
Final Notes: Zayn promised in an interview to continue to live up to Mick Foley's legacy, starting with winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal only for Stephanie McMahon to interrupt and demand Zayn earn his spot in a no disqualification match against KO. She even threatened to fire him if he lost.
Gallows and Anderson mocked Enzo and Cass' catchphrases before their match against the duo on Raw. Reigns refused to be intimidated by a series of cryptic messages from Taker throughout the night. Sheamus and Cesaro said in an interview that they wouldn't be intimidated but were then beat down by the tag team champions backstage.
KO promised to destroy Zayn tonight before heading to WrestleMania to hand Jericho his ultimate demise.
Conclusion: This show was extremely well paced to fly by. While it was far from perfect with multiple moments that felt underwritten, the heart of the show was an exciting final chapter before Mania. Everyone was fired up even as they held a bit back in the ring before they go all out.
This was the best Raw of the WrestleMania stretch shows as it did exactly what it needed to with a few memorable moments. Even the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal got much more build tonight than it had in previous weeks.
I have high hopes for Mania with a packed card. Even if Goldberg vs. Lesnar and Reigns vs. Taker can't deliver, Raw has KO vs. Jericho, HHH vs. Rollins, and Bayley vs. Charlotte vs. Sasha vs. Jax that are almost guaranteed to be great contests.
Gallows and Anderson mocked Enzo and Cass' catchphrases before their match against the duo on Raw. Reigns refused to be intimidated by a series of cryptic messages from Taker throughout the night. Sheamus and Cesaro said in an interview that they wouldn't be intimidated but were then beat down by the tag team champions backstage.
KO promised to destroy Zayn tonight before heading to WrestleMania to hand Jericho his ultimate demise.
Conclusion: This show was extremely well paced to fly by. While it was far from perfect with multiple moments that felt underwritten, the heart of the show was an exciting final chapter before Mania. Everyone was fired up even as they held a bit back in the ring before they go all out.
This was the best Raw of the WrestleMania stretch shows as it did exactly what it needed to with a few memorable moments. Even the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal got much more build tonight than it had in previous weeks.
I have high hopes for Mania with a packed card. Even if Goldberg vs. Lesnar and Reigns vs. Taker can't deliver, Raw has KO vs. Jericho, HHH vs. Rollins, and Bayley vs. Charlotte vs. Sasha vs. Jax that are almost guaranteed to be great contests.