Written by: Kevin Berge (All images courtesy of: WWE.com)
If there's somebody you'd be okay getting in a fist fight with in the WWE, it's Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon Comes to Fight For His Right to WWE
Overview: Shane McMahon opened the show to a raucous ovation to talk about Vince McMahon's words about him last week. Shane talked about how Vince was clearly out of touch and needed to be stopped. He promised to put away The Authority and the politicking forever as it was his destiny to run WWE.
Undertaker's music hit, but it quickly changed to Vince's music as the Chairman walked out. He stomped on a picture of himself and Shane before turning to Shane's kids, saying he would be the only successful father figure in those kids' lives. Vince then brought out security to take him out of the arena.
Shane warned them he'd leave on his own accord but would snap if they touched him. When they did, he lost it, taking out all the security members with punches and knees.
Analysis: This was a solid segment even if it really didn't give more momentum to this feud. We get that Vince is done with Shane, and we get that Shane wants to change things. The only new element here was that we actually saw Shane get physical this time even if it wasn't the most impressive series of strikes.
The Undertaker tease by Vince was appropriate, but it also reminded us that we still have seen so little from Taker in this feud three weeks in. That wouldn't be a problem if they kept him wholly off TV, but he was there last week for basically no reason. This whole feud feels very bare boned right now.
Undertaker's music hit, but it quickly changed to Vince's music as the Chairman walked out. He stomped on a picture of himself and Shane before turning to Shane's kids, saying he would be the only successful father figure in those kids' lives. Vince then brought out security to take him out of the arena.
Shane warned them he'd leave on his own accord but would snap if they touched him. When they did, he lost it, taking out all the security members with punches and knees.
Analysis: This was a solid segment even if it really didn't give more momentum to this feud. We get that Vince is done with Shane, and we get that Shane wants to change things. The only new element here was that we actually saw Shane get physical this time even if it wasn't the most impressive series of strikes.
The Undertaker tease by Vince was appropriate, but it also reminded us that we still have seen so little from Taker in this feud three weeks in. That wouldn't be a problem if they kept him wholly off TV, but he was there last week for basically no reason. This whole feud feels very bare boned right now.
Cowboy Kevin Owens takes this match very seriously.
Kevin Owens def. Neville
Overview: Kevin Owens quickly overpowered Neville as the two tested each other's strength, knocking Neville into the corner and stomping on him. Neville's attempts to fight back seemed futile as he kept getting beat down until he blocked a senton with his knees. With a series of kicks, Neville stunned Owens and hit a running hurricanrana.
When Neville tried to fly over the top rope to take out Owens, KO dodged and threw Neville head first into the steel steps. Owens kept up the physical dominance until Neville dodged a cannonball. Neville tried to hit a German suplex but took KO's German suplex. Neville again reversed a cannonball this time into an enzuigiri.
Off the top rope, Neville hit a shooting star press to KO on the outside. Owens kicked out of a standing shooting star press then crawled to the top rope where he went for a moonsault that Neville dodged. Neville hit a superkick then ran into position for a phoenix splash off the second rope for a crazy near fall.
Owens then snuck a win by rolling up Neville for three while grabbing the tights. Afterward, as Neville complained to the referee, Owens assaulted Neville until Sami Zayn's music hit and he ran down to the ring to send Owens running with Neville's help.
Analysis: This was a really great television match and a perfect way to keep up the show's momentum early. Neville pulled out some big moves and looked strong throughout while Owens kept dominating physically. The two have had largely good matches together, but this was the best I can recall from the two.
Then of course we got the Sami Zayn debut to cap it off. There were rumors going around that he was on his way to the main roster ahead of WrestleMania and would be wrestling at the big event, and he's extremely welcome.
I would expect WWE is setting up an everyone vs. Owens type of multi-man match for the IC Title at Mania with Zayn and Neville in that mix with Big Show as well. They could easily just have another ladder match like last year, but that almost feels like a copout even if it would be great. Why not try something new with the title?
When Neville tried to fly over the top rope to take out Owens, KO dodged and threw Neville head first into the steel steps. Owens kept up the physical dominance until Neville dodged a cannonball. Neville tried to hit a German suplex but took KO's German suplex. Neville again reversed a cannonball this time into an enzuigiri.
Off the top rope, Neville hit a shooting star press to KO on the outside. Owens kicked out of a standing shooting star press then crawled to the top rope where he went for a moonsault that Neville dodged. Neville hit a superkick then ran into position for a phoenix splash off the second rope for a crazy near fall.
Owens then snuck a win by rolling up Neville for three while grabbing the tights. Afterward, as Neville complained to the referee, Owens assaulted Neville until Sami Zayn's music hit and he ran down to the ring to send Owens running with Neville's help.
Analysis: This was a really great television match and a perfect way to keep up the show's momentum early. Neville pulled out some big moves and looked strong throughout while Owens kept dominating physically. The two have had largely good matches together, but this was the best I can recall from the two.
Then of course we got the Sami Zayn debut to cap it off. There were rumors going around that he was on his way to the main roster ahead of WrestleMania and would be wrestling at the big event, and he's extremely welcome.
I would expect WWE is setting up an everyone vs. Owens type of multi-man match for the IC Title at Mania with Zayn and Neville in that mix with Big Show as well. They could easily just have another ladder match like last year, but that almost feels like a copout even if it would be great. Why not try something new with the title?
Lana already pulls off this move better than the Bellas ever did. Is that impressive or just sad?
Summer Rae def. Brie Bella
Overview: Summer Rae quickly began striking Brie Bella, knocking her into the mat and grinding into her back with a knee. Brie flipped Summer over her head and began attacking, hitting a big series of kicks, a knee to Summer on the ropes, but missed a missile dropkick. As both women recovered, Lana came out for the distraction, and Summer rolled up Brie for three.
Lana walked right into the ring, kicked Brie, and hit her with the Bella Buster to make a definitive statement.
Analysis: I was almost shocked how easy this whole segment was to predict going in. Of course Brie would lose thanks to Lana, and of course she would attack Brie to prove that she can actually be a wrestler. The match was typical two minute sloppy affair where Summer nearly botched the basic roll up.
I'm going to guess at the end goal with all of this. I expect WWE has a WrestleMania match planned: Brie Bella, Natalya, and Paige vs. Lana, Tamina, and Naomi. This allows Lana to pull out a couple moves and for Brie to take a win in what could be her last match if rumors are true.
Lana walked right into the ring, kicked Brie, and hit her with the Bella Buster to make a definitive statement.
Analysis: I was almost shocked how easy this whole segment was to predict going in. Of course Brie would lose thanks to Lana, and of course she would attack Brie to prove that she can actually be a wrestler. The match was typical two minute sloppy affair where Summer nearly botched the basic roll up.
I'm going to guess at the end goal with all of this. I expect WWE has a WrestleMania match planned: Brie Bella, Natalya, and Paige vs. Lana, Tamina, and Naomi. This allows Lana to pull out a couple moves and for Brie to take a win in what could be her last match if rumors are true.
Ambrose has been beaten multiple times each week now to a point where he can barely move, and he comes out and talks like it's no big deal. Roman Reigns has a nose bleed, and he's gone for a month.
Dean Ambrose Promises to Take the WWE Championship
Overview: An angry Dean Ambrose walked to the ring and prepared to launch into a tirade where he promised to take the WWE Championship from Triple H and walk into Mania with that gold around his waist. Triple H interrupted and immediately said that no one would take the title away from him.
The two battled back and forth on the mic and talked about how Ambrose refused to be "whatever Triple H is". HHH didn't want to fight tonight, so he booked Dean Ambrose to wrestle against Bray Wyatt in the main event.
Analysis: This was a solid segment that had a more natural flow than their original promo battle last week. It didn't add anything, and I'm glad it didn't open the night tonight as it was so similar to last week. Still, it was okay to keep the two battling on the mics up to their match at Roadblock.
I am worried at this point though that Roman Reigns vs. Triple H is going to run out of time to be built up. Last year, the build up to Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar was so bad that I would have loved to have it all erased and just have two conflict segments the whole way through. This time, the WWE should have had some kind of story to build though.
Right now, they have spent far too much time doing nothing here. The beatdowns have been too separated, and there hasn't been enough selling on just how much these two hate each other. Are we really going to have a WrestleMania main event with only two Raws of build along the whole Road to WrestleMania post-Rumble?
The two battled back and forth on the mic and talked about how Ambrose refused to be "whatever Triple H is". HHH didn't want to fight tonight, so he booked Dean Ambrose to wrestle against Bray Wyatt in the main event.
Analysis: This was a solid segment that had a more natural flow than their original promo battle last week. It didn't add anything, and I'm glad it didn't open the night tonight as it was so similar to last week. Still, it was okay to keep the two battling on the mics up to their match at Roadblock.
I am worried at this point though that Roman Reigns vs. Triple H is going to run out of time to be built up. Last year, the build up to Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar was so bad that I would have loved to have it all erased and just have two conflict segments the whole way through. This time, the WWE should have had some kind of story to build though.
Right now, they have spent far too much time doing nothing here. The beatdowns have been too separated, and there hasn't been enough selling on just how much these two hate each other. Are we really going to have a WrestleMania main event with only two Raws of build along the whole Road to WrestleMania post-Rumble?
Wade Barrett really shouldn't have agreed to start wrestling again in the final month of his contract.
The League of Nation def. Dolph Ziggler in an Elimination Handicap Match
Overview: Dolph Ziggler immediately got beat down, struggling mightily to get any kind of action going. As the League of Nations traded off shots at Ziggler, Dolph only showed bits of life until he saw an opening against Wade Barrett. Ziggler dodged a few shots, took out Sheamus and Rusev for a moment, and hit Barrett with a superkick for the elimination.
Sheamus nearly got rolled up by Ziggler multiple times but battled out of it just enough to send Ziggler onto the ropes where he took a strike from Rusev and then a Brogue Kick from Sheamus for the loss.
Analysis: This match was basically a no-win scenario like any handicap match between credible opponents. League of Nations won the match, but they still lost a member along the way. Barrett is hurt badly by taking the fall in such a one sided affair. I have no idea why WWE chooses to book matches like this anymore.
The match though was kind of fun. It was fast paced and didn't overstay its welcome. Ziggler looked strong overall, but he still ended up losing (he couldn't possibly be allowed to win here) which means the whole segment won't be seen as a victory for Ziggler long term.
Sheamus nearly got rolled up by Ziggler multiple times but battled out of it just enough to send Ziggler onto the ropes where he took a strike from Rusev and then a Brogue Kick from Sheamus for the loss.
Analysis: This match was basically a no-win scenario like any handicap match between credible opponents. League of Nations won the match, but they still lost a member along the way. Barrett is hurt badly by taking the fall in such a one sided affair. I have no idea why WWE chooses to book matches like this anymore.
The match though was kind of fun. It was fast paced and didn't overstay its welcome. Ziggler looked strong overall, but he still ended up losing (he couldn't possibly be allowed to win here) which means the whole segment won't be seen as a victory for Ziggler long term.
At this point, Ric Flair is actually just appearing to be the legend presence in this rivalry. He actually serves no purpose otherwise.
Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks def. Naomi and Tamina
Overview: Tamina began this match throwing around Becky and taking a cheap shot at Sasha. The quick dominance turned positive for the faces as Sasha got the tag and Becky helped her clear the ring. Sasha hit a backbreaker and locked in the Bank Statement for the quick tap out. Afterward, Charlotte destroyed both women and walked away with title in hand.
Analysis: This was way too quick. It was a month ago that this was one of the best matches on the PPV. Now Naomi and Tamina are not even allowed to be competitive anymore. I have no real explanation here as the show definitely had the time to give these women two full segments.
The post-match assault by Charlotte was great though. She made clear that she is truly not afraid of either of her opponents which gives her the right edge for her Mania match which is finally official and should be fantastic.
Analysis: This was way too quick. It was a month ago that this was one of the best matches on the PPV. Now Naomi and Tamina are not even allowed to be competitive anymore. I have no real explanation here as the show definitely had the time to give these women two full segments.
The post-match assault by Charlotte was great though. She made clear that she is truly not afraid of either of her opponents which gives her the right edge for her Mania match which is finally official and should be fantastic.
I mean we all saw this coming the moment Styles did a springboard 450, finally pulling off a move that Jericho couldn't even attempt.
The New Day def. Y2AJ to Retain the WWE Tag Team Championships
Overview: The New Day teased Y2AJ about how they weren't a real team before the match. Chris Jericho began this match with Kofi Kingston, and the two ran the ropes, hitting a few shots before Jericho slingshot Kofi over the top rope. Styles helped him throw Big E over the top as well, and they both jumped over the top rope and took out their opponents.
The New Day got back into the match and isolated Jericho, hitting him with the Unicorn Stampede. Jericho got back into it by hitting a sudden enzuigiri which allowed the hot tag to Styles. He pulled out a sudden springboard inverted DDT. The New Day suddenly pulled out the Midnight Hour on Styles, but Jericho threw Kofi into Big E to break up the pin.
Jericho hit the lionsault and tagged in Styles for the springboard 450 for a near fall. Styles took out Big E on the outside but nearly got distracted into a roll up by Kofi, barely kicking out. As Styles got taken out on the outside, Jericho had Kofi stuck in the Walls of Jericho. Big E tagged himself in then turned a Jericho Codebreaker into the Big Ending for the win.
After the match, Styles helped Jericho to his feet with Jericho responding Codebreaking Styles. He accentuated it by pulling Styles to his feet and hitting a second Codebreaker. Jericho grabbed a Y2AJ shirt and shoved it down AJ's throat to add a signature to his assault on his former partner.
Analysis: This was one of the best TV matches we've seen in a while, and it honestly might be the best match The New Day have had since they debuted as a stable. This was back and forth, action packed, and extremely creative throughout. Finishers were coming out midmatch. Styles was pulling out special moves in his arsenal consistently.
The New Day won clean here which shocked me even with the expected aftermath. WWE really put over the tag team champions strong here. Whatever is planned next for them, you can't just tell the story of the heels getting their comeuppance. This is a group getting better and better in the ring with legitimate victories to their name.
I was almost begging for a Jericho heel turn by the time it happened as Y2AJ, while a great team in the ring, was so corny. It needed the background that one of the two was clearly trying too hard to make things work. Jericho has been selling for a while that he was on the edge of his own ego, and this was his breaking point. He couldn't handle losing such a big match.
I am still not huge on Jericho vs. Styles 4 as a WrestleMania match, but this match and the heel turn to follow were so well done that they at least made me interested in how it will be different than its predecessors. Give this one a real full scale stipulation, and I'll be on board.
The New Day got back into the match and isolated Jericho, hitting him with the Unicorn Stampede. Jericho got back into it by hitting a sudden enzuigiri which allowed the hot tag to Styles. He pulled out a sudden springboard inverted DDT. The New Day suddenly pulled out the Midnight Hour on Styles, but Jericho threw Kofi into Big E to break up the pin.
Jericho hit the lionsault and tagged in Styles for the springboard 450 for a near fall. Styles took out Big E on the outside but nearly got distracted into a roll up by Kofi, barely kicking out. As Styles got taken out on the outside, Jericho had Kofi stuck in the Walls of Jericho. Big E tagged himself in then turned a Jericho Codebreaker into the Big Ending for the win.
After the match, Styles helped Jericho to his feet with Jericho responding Codebreaking Styles. He accentuated it by pulling Styles to his feet and hitting a second Codebreaker. Jericho grabbed a Y2AJ shirt and shoved it down AJ's throat to add a signature to his assault on his former partner.
Analysis: This was one of the best TV matches we've seen in a while, and it honestly might be the best match The New Day have had since they debuted as a stable. This was back and forth, action packed, and extremely creative throughout. Finishers were coming out midmatch. Styles was pulling out special moves in his arsenal consistently.
The New Day won clean here which shocked me even with the expected aftermath. WWE really put over the tag team champions strong here. Whatever is planned next for them, you can't just tell the story of the heels getting their comeuppance. This is a group getting better and better in the ring with legitimate victories to their name.
I was almost begging for a Jericho heel turn by the time it happened as Y2AJ, while a great team in the ring, was so corny. It needed the background that one of the two was clearly trying too hard to make things work. Jericho has been selling for a while that he was on the edge of his own ego, and this was his breaking point. He couldn't handle losing such a big match.
I am still not huge on Jericho vs. Styles 4 as a WrestleMania match, but this match and the heel turn to follow were so well done that they at least made me interested in how it will be different than its predecessors. Give this one a real full scale stipulation, and I'll be on board.
Nice to see singles Kalisto back. I hear he's been on hiatus since Fast Lane.
Kalisto def. Tyler Breeze
Overview: Breeze quickly got the advantage in this match, kicking Kalisto square in the face. Tyler kept beating down on Kalisto with the United States Champion pulling out a sudden Salida Del Sol for the win.
Analysis: This felt a bit like a holdover to remind us that Kalisto is more than Sin Cara's tag team partner which is a shame as Kalisto and Breeze with time could have had a good match. Instead, this was a one sided contest with Kalisto just pulling out his finisher out of nowhere to take the win. It never got going enough to be interesting.
The follow up to this though was Ryback getting in Kalisto's face which is a match for Mania I actually am interested in seeing if it is done right. The two showed chemistry in their SmackDown match last year, and Ryback's new vicious realist should match up with Kalisto's spunky optimist.
Analysis: This felt a bit like a holdover to remind us that Kalisto is more than Sin Cara's tag team partner which is a shame as Kalisto and Breeze with time could have had a good match. Instead, this was a one sided contest with Kalisto just pulling out his finisher out of nowhere to take the win. It never got going enough to be interesting.
The follow up to this though was Ryback getting in Kalisto's face which is a match for Mania I actually am interested in seeing if it is done right. The two showed chemistry in their SmackDown match last year, and Ryback's new vicious realist should match up with Kalisto's spunky optimist.
RIP Rybaxel. Even though you were long dead, the wound still feels fresh.
Ryback def. Curtis Axel
Overview: The Social Outcasts lamented Ryback's refusal to be on teams anymore before the match. Ryback threw around Curtis Axel and beat him into the mat with Axel struggling to get any moment. Ryback kept punching Axel until he was barely moving then hit the Shell Shocked for the easy win. Again, he walked away without celebrating the victory.
Analysis: This match didn't last any longer than Kalisto's though it worked better as it got across the point of Ryback's developing gimmick. He's in a tweener stage, wanting to gain success and a lasting spotlight but still conflicting with heels. The Social Outcasts are interesting conduit for Ryback's full heel turn as they are a bit too wacky to just be seen as slimy heels.
Ryback was interviewed about WrestleMania a month or two back, and he said he wouldn't settle this year for a multi-man match spot. He wanted a singles match and had pitched an idea to Vince and company. I don't know if this heel turn and a feud with Kalisto were a part of that plan, but pieces are nicely falling into place for him.
I do like that Ryback's gimmick is now about no longer being a team player while Kalisto is a singles champion who is letting himself get dragged down by playing up his team with Sin Cara. The dynamic has a lot of potential.
Analysis: This match didn't last any longer than Kalisto's though it worked better as it got across the point of Ryback's developing gimmick. He's in a tweener stage, wanting to gain success and a lasting spotlight but still conflicting with heels. The Social Outcasts are interesting conduit for Ryback's full heel turn as they are a bit too wacky to just be seen as slimy heels.
Ryback was interviewed about WrestleMania a month or two back, and he said he wouldn't settle this year for a multi-man match spot. He wanted a singles match and had pitched an idea to Vince and company. I don't know if this heel turn and a feud with Kalisto were a part of that plan, but pieces are nicely falling into place for him.
I do like that Ryback's gimmick is now about no longer being a team player while Kalisto is a singles champion who is letting himself get dragged down by playing up his team with Sin Cara. The dynamic has a lot of potential.
Bray Wyatt's turning it so old school that I'm getting ready for a TV monitor to explode.
Dean Ambrose def. Bray Wyatt By Disqualification
Overview: After Dean Ambrose came to the ring, Bray Wyatt talked on the titantron about destroying Brock Lesnar on Saturday and using Dean Ambrose as an example first. Ambrose started out with the advantage until he got steamrolled by Wyatt who didn't let up on his advantage.
The two fought to the outside and hit simultaneous clotheslines with both barely making it back to the ring. Wyatt reversed a rebound clothesline into a clothesline. Ambrose then got nearly caught into the Sister Abigail with both rolling to the outside. Wyatt went for the Sister Abigail again but needed hit the uranage on the steel barricade again.
Ambrose got back into it just enough to hit the rebound clothesline, and, as Dean got up, The Wyatt Family appeared and beat down on Ambrose. Triple H came out and had a staredown with Wyatt who hinted he was very interested in the WWE Championship before walking away. HHH then set up the announce table but walked right into a Dirty Deeds. Ambrose ended the night holding the WWE Championship.
Analysis: Mark this up as the third strong match of the night for Raw which is rare these days despite all the time they have each week. Wyatt and Ambrose have solid chemistry especially now they aren't saddled with ridiculous stories to tell throughout. It was also kind of nice to have Wyatt wrestling alone without frequent distractions.
Wyatt is in such a limbo right now in WWE, but you still get the feeling WWE likes him a lot. Having Bray staredown Hunter and even show his interest in the WWE Championship shows the company does have their sights set on eventually having Wyatt feud for that title. However, right now, Wyatt doesn't even have a Mania direction.
Ambrose got the upper hand to end the show which was nice as he definitely isn't walking out of Roadblock as the champion. The two main events are set and should both be great in the ring, but Ambrose needed this kind of big moment standing tall, one he should also get with Brock at some point.
The two fought to the outside and hit simultaneous clotheslines with both barely making it back to the ring. Wyatt reversed a rebound clothesline into a clothesline. Ambrose then got nearly caught into the Sister Abigail with both rolling to the outside. Wyatt went for the Sister Abigail again but needed hit the uranage on the steel barricade again.
Ambrose got back into it just enough to hit the rebound clothesline, and, as Dean got up, The Wyatt Family appeared and beat down on Ambrose. Triple H came out and had a staredown with Wyatt who hinted he was very interested in the WWE Championship before walking away. HHH then set up the announce table but walked right into a Dirty Deeds. Ambrose ended the night holding the WWE Championship.
Analysis: Mark this up as the third strong match of the night for Raw which is rare these days despite all the time they have each week. Wyatt and Ambrose have solid chemistry especially now they aren't saddled with ridiculous stories to tell throughout. It was also kind of nice to have Wyatt wrestling alone without frequent distractions.
Wyatt is in such a limbo right now in WWE, but you still get the feeling WWE likes him a lot. Having Bray staredown Hunter and even show his interest in the WWE Championship shows the company does have their sights set on eventually having Wyatt feud for that title. However, right now, Wyatt doesn't even have a Mania direction.
Ambrose got the upper hand to end the show which was nice as he definitely isn't walking out of Roadblock as the champion. The two main events are set and should both be great in the ring, but Ambrose needed this kind of big moment standing tall, one he should also get with Brock at some point.
Sami Zayn made it through this segment without even pulling a muscle. Maybe we can finally call this his debut moment on Raw.
Final Notes: Dolph Ziggler was backstage talking with Zack Ryder before Stephanie McMahon interrupted and talked to Ziggler about how she was not happy with him tweeting something disparaging about The Authority. She ended up booking him vs. The League of Nations in a three on one handicap match.
A video package was shown for Shane McMahon's career, putting over his defiant energy with highlights of his elbow drops and many falls. Chris Jericho was interviewed after his turn, frustrated about the AJ Styles chants that he just wanted to silence. A quick promo was shown for Big Boss Man's Hall of Fame induction.
Kalisto was interviewed backstage about wrestling at WrestleMania, and Ryback interrupted, telling Kalisto that he needed to learn to step into the spotlight or get left behind. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon talked backstage about how Vince might just be a little too confident.
R-Truth apologized for his behavior with Goldust with a pizza though Mark Henry ended up taking the Chicago pizza while the two made up.
Conclusion: This was a wrestling show. Three of the matches were far above average quality for Raw, and the show had very few promo segments tonight. The main issue with this type of show is that it lacks in big moments. On the Road to WrestleMania, you need more memorable moments than just a surprise debut and turn.
Again, the Mania card was not expanded, but at least the card is coming together now. Owens seems set to clash with several opponents. Kalisto and Ryback are headed for a collision course. Jericho is officially heel to set up his final clash with Styles. We even likely have confirmed there will be some second Divas match on the card.
Roadblock should be a solid live event and have one maybe two memorable matches. The problem with WWE's booking of that show is they are treating it like another PPV which kills the Mania momentum. We need more set up and tension between rivals going to WM not set up for filler contest on a live show.
Still, it was a much better show than past weeks. The pacing while a big rushed with too many squashes is always going to be better moving fast than taking too much time on anything. I would hope next week we'll get to see a few definitive clashes between Mania rivals, and I would also hope we can get more quality wrestling.
A video package was shown for Shane McMahon's career, putting over his defiant energy with highlights of his elbow drops and many falls. Chris Jericho was interviewed after his turn, frustrated about the AJ Styles chants that he just wanted to silence. A quick promo was shown for Big Boss Man's Hall of Fame induction.
Kalisto was interviewed backstage about wrestling at WrestleMania, and Ryback interrupted, telling Kalisto that he needed to learn to step into the spotlight or get left behind. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon talked backstage about how Vince might just be a little too confident.
R-Truth apologized for his behavior with Goldust with a pizza though Mark Henry ended up taking the Chicago pizza while the two made up.
Conclusion: This was a wrestling show. Three of the matches were far above average quality for Raw, and the show had very few promo segments tonight. The main issue with this type of show is that it lacks in big moments. On the Road to WrestleMania, you need more memorable moments than just a surprise debut and turn.
Again, the Mania card was not expanded, but at least the card is coming together now. Owens seems set to clash with several opponents. Kalisto and Ryback are headed for a collision course. Jericho is officially heel to set up his final clash with Styles. We even likely have confirmed there will be some second Divas match on the card.
Roadblock should be a solid live event and have one maybe two memorable matches. The problem with WWE's booking of that show is they are treating it like another PPV which kills the Mania momentum. We need more set up and tension between rivals going to WM not set up for filler contest on a live show.
Still, it was a much better show than past weeks. The pacing while a big rushed with too many squashes is always going to be better moving fast than taking too much time on anything. I would hope next week we'll get to see a few definitive clashes between Mania rivals, and I would also hope we can get more quality wrestling.
