Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WrestleMania season on Monday Night Raw is moving along nicely though it would be nice to have something happen that truly gets things rolling. I'm glad these shows are getting better with their representation of weekly wrestling, but the moments are not yet feeling 'Mania worthy.
Roman Reigns is stuck shooting on an absent champion. Asuka is waiting for Fastlane to announce which champion she is facing while Alexa Bliss is waiting for that announcement to do anything. Honestly, the most exciting thing going on Raw is The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor.
Meanwhile, Ronda Rousey's appearance has made an innocuous mixed tag team one of the biggest angles on Raw just like last year with Miz and John Cena. Something needs to get going that is more interesting.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Roman Reigns is stuck shooting on an absent champion. Asuka is waiting for Fastlane to announce which champion she is facing while Alexa Bliss is waiting for that announcement to do anything. Honestly, the most exciting thing going on Raw is The Miz vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor.
Meanwhile, Ronda Rousey's appearance has made an innocuous mixed tag team one of the biggest angles on Raw just like last year with Miz and John Cena. Something needs to get going that is more interesting.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Probably should have just stuck with the Piper homage and taken on a sleeper hold as her finisher instead.
Kurt Angle Announces He Will Team With Ronda Rousey to Fight Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
Overview: General Manager Kurt Angle called out Triple H for his punch last week, but Stephanie McMahon came out instead. Ronda Rousey came out to stop Stephanie talking down to Angle and announced she wanted to face Stephanie at WrestleMania.
HHH came out to calm the situation which led to Angle announcing Triple H and Stephanie vs. Angle and Rousey. Hunter tried another sneak attack on Angle but was forced into an Ankle Lock. Stephanie cheap shot Rousey and ran off only to be caught and take a Samoan drop.
Analysis: These promos are getting a bit old, but hopefully this settles the story. The mixed match has been set, and now WWE can get more creative building the story. Rousey was fine here on the mic, and the storytelling has helped her in selling her quiet personality on top of her dangerous fire.
My main worry though was the final attack by Rousey on Stephanie. It was awkward as Rousey struggled to get Stephanie in position and hit a weak attempt at a Samoan drop. At this point, I would hope she would be a bit better at moving her opponents around the ring if she's going to be ready in a few weeks to compete on the Grandest Stage.
HHH came out to calm the situation which led to Angle announcing Triple H and Stephanie vs. Angle and Rousey. Hunter tried another sneak attack on Angle but was forced into an Ankle Lock. Stephanie cheap shot Rousey and ran off only to be caught and take a Samoan drop.
Analysis: These promos are getting a bit old, but hopefully this settles the story. The mixed match has been set, and now WWE can get more creative building the story. Rousey was fine here on the mic, and the storytelling has helped her in selling her quiet personality on top of her dangerous fire.
My main worry though was the final attack by Rousey on Stephanie. It was awkward as Rousey struggled to get Stephanie in position and hit a weak attempt at a Samoan drop. At this point, I would hope she would be a bit better at moving her opponents around the ring if she's going to be ready in a few weeks to compete on the Grandest Stage.
Asuka def. Nia Jax
Overview: Alexa Bliss and Mickie James were interviewed backstage as this match started with Bliss certain Jax would win. Asuka took vicious punishment in this match, but the Empress caught Jax in an armbar that she refused to let up on even as Jax powerbombed her into everything, eventually forced to tap.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was simple and straightforward, but it might have been the best of the series these two have had. The tight focus of the match worked, and the finishing sequence was the perfect way to cap off this rivarly. Asuka's tenacity was on display as well as Jax's power and toughness to keep fighting through before eventually tapping.
Highlights:
- Jax stunned Asuka on the top rope with a punch then hit a spinning Razor's Edge.
- Asuka caught Jax with a running low hip attack, but Jax kicked out with authority.
- Asuka fought out of the grip of Jax with elbows but ran right into a Samoan drop.
- Jax took out Asuka with a military press slam but missed the running leg drop then caught Jax in the middle of the ring with an armbar then into a triangle choke.
Analysis: This match was simple and straightforward, but it might have been the best of the series these two have had. The tight focus of the match worked, and the finishing sequence was the perfect way to cap off this rivarly. Asuka's tenacity was on display as well as Jax's power and toughness to keep fighting through before eventually tapping.
What a couple of nerds.
Sheamus and Cesaro def. The Revival
Overview: Sheamus and Cesaro played The Revival's game throughout this match in a physical war between the teams. Both sides tried to isolate a member of the others until everything broke down. Sheamus Brogue Kicked Wilder out of the ring then Cesaro caught Dawson with the Neutralizer for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a good match that sold how good these teams could be together once one of them turns. For now, it seems to not be in the cards. I have no idea what Sheamus and Cesaro do at WrestleMania given they have now officially defeated everyone in the division.
Highlights:
- Sheamus went for the Beats of the Bodhran on Dawson, but Wilder distracted Sheamus and allowed Dawson to escape and hit an assisted springboard sunset flip into a double team flapjack.
- Sheamus set up Dawson for an elevated elbow drop from Cesaro.
- Wilder held Sheamus down as Dawson repeatedly stomped on Sheamus' arm.
- Wilder saved Dawson from a Sharpshooter then Dawson did the same for Wilder before catching Cesaro with a DDT for the nearfall.
- Wilder broke up The Bar's finisher then Dawson sent Sheamus into the turnbuckle before The Revival hit a superplex/frog splash combo for a nearfall.
Analysis: This was a good match that sold how good these teams could be together once one of them turns. For now, it seems to not be in the cards. I have no idea what Sheamus and Cesaro do at WrestleMania given they have now officially defeated everyone in the division.
John Cena def. Goldust
Overview: John Cena took to the ring to talk about Fastlane and told everyone it was inevitable he would win on Sunday. He laid out the plan, telling AJ Styles to invoke his rematch clause and make it a triple threat between Cena, Styles, and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Goldust interrupted and made clear he had his own WrestleMania dream, and he would start by shattering Cena's dream, attacking him. While Goldust had Cena reeling early on, Cena fought back with the Five Moves of Doom and took the victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: What was this segment? While confident (cocky?) Cena is welcome, he seemed off here as he was oddly uncomfortable with his own script. Moreover, Goldust's appearance was completely nonsensical and just a reminder that the veteran has returned to a jobber role.
Goldust interrupted and made clear he had his own WrestleMania dream, and he would start by shattering Cena's dream, attacking him. While Goldust had Cena reeling early on, Cena fought back with the Five Moves of Doom and took the victory.
Highlights:
- Cena and Goldust collided with clotheslines then Cena missed a body avalanche then ran into a powerslam.
- Goldust caught Cena with a low blow behind the referee's back.
Analysis: What was this segment? While confident (cocky?) Cena is welcome, he seemed off here as he was oddly uncomfortable with his own script. Moreover, Goldust's appearance was completely nonsensical and just a reminder that the veteran has returned to a jobber role.
Somehow this is all leading to Bayley turning heel, and it's going to ruin everything.
Bayley def. Mandy Rose
Overview: Absolution interrupted Bayley explaining why she turned on Sasha Banks last week with Paige telling Bayley she needed friends to survive in WWE. Mandy Rose found every opportunity to take cheap shots at Bayley before Sonya Deville also tried to distract here, but Bayley caught her with a gator roll for the win.
Absolution immediately teamed up to beat down Bayley, and Sasha Banks made the save. Banks tried to get a hug from Bayley to forget the bad blood, but Bayley pushed her away and walked off alone.
Highlights:
Analysis: It is a crowning achievement that this was not a bad match. Rose looked all right here with Bayley putting her over big time and showing how Rose's strength could make her an interesting wrestler eventually. It looks like WWE is going full steam into Bayley vs. Banks. I hope this means they're getting a WrestleMania spotlight.
Absolution immediately teamed up to beat down Bayley, and Sasha Banks made the save. Banks tried to get a hug from Bayley to forget the bad blood, but Bayley pushed her away and walked off alone.
Highlights:
- Rose went for a delayed vertical suplex with Bayley fighting out only to run into a throat shot.
- Bayley missed a clothesline and ran headlong into a bicycle knee for a nearfall.
- Bayley kicked Rose off her and caught her with the rope-hung stunner.
- Bayley took out Rose with a side suplex then was distracted by Deville, still managing to catch Rose with a spinning back elbow.
Analysis: It is a crowning achievement that this was not a bad match. Rose looked all right here with Bayley putting her over big time and showing how Rose's strength could make her an interesting wrestler eventually. It looks like WWE is going full steam into Bayley vs. Banks. I hope this means they're getting a WrestleMania spotlight.
Braun Strowman def. Elias in a Symphony of Destruction Match
Overview: Elias played piano and drums for his pre-match concert to show his versatility before turning out the lights and running to his car with Strowman spotting the car from moving. Strowman dominated proceedings before smashing a bass over Elias's back and dumped a piano on him for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a fun silly finish to a short fun silly feud. From Elias playing other instruments to Strowman throwing around said instruments like they weigh nothing, this was exactly what it needed to be. I wish they had waited on this one and had it be a major match on a B-level pay-per-view.
Highlights:
- Strowman looked ready to hit the running powerslam, but Elias escaped and repeatedly struck the back of his leg to get him limping.
- Strowman threw Elias under the piano and blasted the keys.
Analysis: This was a fun silly finish to a short fun silly feud. From Elias playing other instruments to Strowman throwing around said instruments like they weigh nothing, this was exactly what it needed to be. I wish they had waited on this one and had it be a major match on a B-level pay-per-view.
Amazing how popular a jobber can get.
Bray Wyatt def. Rhyno
Overview: Bray Wyatt made quick work of Rhyno, hitting him with Sister Abigail. Afterward, he laid over Rhyno and scared Heath Slater off from helping his friend. Wyatt then called out Matt Hardy who appeared on the titantron and accepted a new fight, this time at the Hardy Compound.
Analysis: I'm glad they're finally bringing in the Hardy Compound, but it feels a little late. I assume it had something to do with WWE's legal issues getting the rights to the gimmick, but this feud has stalled so much that this might not be enough. Moreover, I would not be surprised if WWE completely botched this as well.
Analysis: I'm glad they're finally bringing in the Hardy Compound, but it feels a little late. I assume it had something to do with WWE's legal issues getting the rights to the gimmick, but this feud has stalled so much that this might not be enough. Moreover, I would not be surprised if WWE completely botched this as well.
Seth Rollins and Finn Balor def. The Miz and The Miztourage
Overview: The Miz presented the third edition of The Mizzies, giving out awards to Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, and Kurt Angle. As he was ready to award himself a lifetime achievement award, Rollins interrupted followed by Balor with Miz challenging them to a 3-on-2 handicap match for what they put him through last week.
While Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel helped Miz take control early, they could not keep Rollins and Balor from rolling even with their game of one-upmanship getting in the way. Balor took out Miz with a Slingblade and corner dropkick, but Rollins forced the tag in and took the win with the Curb Stomp. Angle then announce Miz vs. Balor vs. Rollins for 'Mania.
Highlights:
Analysis: As I've said, I care more about this story than most of the WM matches being built at the moment. The conflicts between the stars work, and Miz is on fire at the moment. The triple threat should be insane. The match that followed it was fine, but The Mizzies were the hilarious highlight here.
While Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel helped Miz take control early, they could not keep Rollins and Balor from rolling even with their game of one-upmanship getting in the way. Balor took out Miz with a Slingblade and corner dropkick, but Rollins forced the tag in and took the win with the Curb Stomp. Angle then announce Miz vs. Balor vs. Rollins for 'Mania.
Highlights:
- Balor double foot stomped Dallas off the hot tag then caught him with repeated corner running clotheslines into a step-up enzuigiri, but Miz distracted him from a headlock elbow drop and set up Balor to run right into a Dallas clothesline.
- Balor got separation from Axel with an overhead kick then got the hot tag to Rollins who caught Miz with an enzuigiri and suplex/Falcon Arrow combo.
- Balor caught Miz with a low-angle superkick then ducked a Miz clothesline to hit a suicide dive on The Miztourage before sending Miz to join them to set a second dive with Balor forcing the tag.
Analysis: As I've said, I care more about this story than most of the WM matches being built at the moment. The conflicts between the stars work, and Miz is on fire at the moment. The triple threat should be insane. The match that followed it was fine, but The Mizzies were the hilarious highlight here.
Many great wrestlers have single-handedly carried a WrestleMania feud all the way to Mania. I'm not quite sure Reigns can pull it off by just shooting every week.
Paul Heyman Lays Down the Law But Roman Reigns Doesn't Back Down
Overview: Paul Heyman laid out the Universal Championship in front of him and cut a confident promo on how the title was Brock Lesnar's property that he would never lose. Roman Reigns interrupted despite being told by management to stay away. He demanded Heyman pick the title up to show it respect then promised to give Lesnar a fight next week if he actually showed up.
Analysis: Another week, another short and sweet promo from Reigns that made him feel genuine. Heyman started it with a great heel promo about Lesnar's true impact on WWE, but ultimately the point here is selling Lesnar as the heel in this rivalry. It's working for once with Reigns as the face.
Analysis: Another week, another short and sweet promo from Reigns that made him feel genuine. Heyman started it with a great heel promo about Lesnar's true impact on WWE, but ultimately the point here is selling Lesnar as the heel in this rivalry. It's working for once with Reigns as the face.
Backstage Notes: Elias talked to Kurt Angle backstage and tried to get his match with Strowman cancelled. Instead, Angle made added a falls count anywhere stipulation. Bliss tried to encourage Jax by talking about how much she overcome and how much she needed to get over this loss.
Strowman cut a selfie promo about his Symphony of Destruction match, promising to destroy the musician. Hillbilly Jim's Hall of Fame induction video was shown.
Conclusion: The 'Mania season is forming more directly now. The early seeds of Jax turning face and challenge Bliss coupled with more clear hints that we'll get Banks vs. Bayley may have been the best part of the night. Beyond that, many expected matches were announced a week late.
The biggest issue with this show was simply that it felt ordinary. Jax vs. Asuka was the best match on the card, and it was far from a pure showstealer. The promos were a mix of great and terrible from varied sources, making this feel like a filler show at an odd time.
It is possible that Raw writers are waiting for Fastlane to fully reveal the card at the Showcase of the Immortals. Because of that, this was the weakest Raw in over a month. It's a shame, but they can't all be winners.
Strowman cut a selfie promo about his Symphony of Destruction match, promising to destroy the musician. Hillbilly Jim's Hall of Fame induction video was shown.
Conclusion: The 'Mania season is forming more directly now. The early seeds of Jax turning face and challenge Bliss coupled with more clear hints that we'll get Banks vs. Bayley may have been the best part of the night. Beyond that, many expected matches were announced a week late.
The biggest issue with this show was simply that it felt ordinary. Jax vs. Asuka was the best match on the card, and it was far from a pure showstealer. The promos were a mix of great and terrible from varied sources, making this feel like a filler show at an odd time.
It is possible that Raw writers are waiting for Fastlane to fully reveal the card at the Showcase of the Immortals. Because of that, this was the weakest Raw in over a month. It's a shame, but they can't all be winners.