Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It's go-home show time, an outing WWE has frequently at delivering these past few years. With Survivor Series just six days away, there should be major excitement, but this time the rivals in each match are not even on the same brand. Going in, you would hope more than a few people invade tonight.
For a brand warfare story to work, more is needed than one unnecessary opening assault. SmackDown and Raw have done little to one another since the brutal assault that opened the build to Survivor Series. Now is the time to make brand warfare feel meaningful.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
For a brand warfare story to work, more is needed than one unnecessary opening assault. SmackDown and Raw have done little to one another since the brutal assault that opened the build to Survivor Series. Now is the time to make brand warfare feel meaningful.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
You'd think if Stephanie really doesn't believe in Kurt Angle and needs this win, she wouldn't put him on Team Raw in the first place.
The Shield Vouch for Kurt Angle and Call Out The New Day
Overview: Stephanie McMahon called out GM Kurt Angle and quickly began questioning his decisions particularly putting Jason Jordan on Team Raw. After Angle promised to break Shane McMahon's ankle, The Shield (with Roman Reigns) interrupted and demanded a match with The New Day after vouching for Angle as a true leader.
Analysis: This opening segment as always could have been shorter, but it at least did the job of selling the conflict that Angle must face. It also finally officially set up Shield vs. New Day as well as reintroducing Reigns quickly. Luckily, WWE did not wait long to confirm The Shield's match with Twitter proving useful.
Analysis: This opening segment as always could have been shorter, but it at least did the job of selling the conflict that Angle must face. It also finally officially set up Shield vs. New Day as well as reintroducing Reigns quickly. Luckily, WWE did not wait long to confirm The Shield's match with Twitter proving useful.
Bayley def. Mickie James and Dana Brooke to Become the Final Member of Team Raw
Overview: Bayley was beat down early on this match and struggled to get into the action. However, Dana Brooke angered Asuka and got taken out by the Empress who was watching ringside with the rest of Team Raw. Bayley then managed to reverse a Mick-DT into a Bayley-to-Belly for the win, much to the chagrin of captain Alicia Fox.
Highlights:
Analysis: Bayley had to win here. Even with Mickie's recent higher profile, Bayley could not afford to miss this show as she is clearly one of Raw's best. The match was nothing much to write about, but it served its purpose to keep up the animosity between Fox and Bayley while getting her on the team. It also may have set up Asuka vs. Dana which is less exciting.
Highlights:
- Bayley caught Mickie on the top rope with a forearm only to be knocked down by a headbutt followed by a diving senton.
- Mickie hit Bayley mid-run with a neckbreaker.
Analysis: Bayley had to win here. Even with Mickie's recent higher profile, Bayley could not afford to miss this show as she is clearly one of Raw's best. The match was nothing much to write about, but it served its purpose to keep up the animosity between Fox and Bayley while getting her on the team. It also may have set up Asuka vs. Dana which is less exciting.
Rock paper scissors: the only game anyone can believe Enzo could win on his own.
Enzo Amore and Drew Gulak def. Kalisto and Akira Tozawa
Overview: Drew Gulak tried to start up his new movement against chanting before the match. Kalisto and Akira Tozawa seemed to have the heels on the ropes before a distraction by Gulak allowed Enzo Amore to take out Tozawa then hit Jawdonzo for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fun even with a few flashy spots that made little sense. It is disappointing Enzo and Kalisto were thrown on the Kickoff show, but that's par for the course with the cruiserweight division. At least Gulak continues to shine in the time he gets as perhaps the funniest wrestler on the roster right now.
Highlights:
- Kalisto caught Tozawa for a blind tag to set up a missile dropkick on both heels.
- Tozawa knocked down Gulak with a side suplex, setting up a hot tag with Kalisto hitting Enzo with a diving senton, multiple enzuigiri, then a springboard dropkick.
- Kalisto opened up the ropes for a suicide dive from Tozawa on Enzo then Kalisto followed with a slingshot somersault plancha.
- Tozawa took out Enzo with an enzuigiri then went for a diving senton, but Gulak pulled Enzo to safety before Kalisto took Gulak out with a somersault senton off the steel steps.
Analysis: This match was fun even with a few flashy spots that made little sense. It is disappointing Enzo and Kalisto were thrown on the Kickoff show, but that's par for the course with the cruiserweight division. At least Gulak continues to shine in the time he gets as perhaps the funniest wrestler on the roster right now.
Sheamus, Cesaro, and Miz Sound Off on Future Opponents on Miz TV
Overview: The Miz began Miz TV by calling Baron Corbin a failure who would lose his championship tomorrow to Sin Cara because he was on a lower level than Miz. His guests, Sheamus and Cesaro, bragged about their championship win before promising to dominate The Usos at Survivor Series. Miz then hyped the six-man tag for later.
Analysis: This segment just felt unnecessary. It could have just been a three minute backstage interview. Especially with The Shield already appearing earlier in the night, this was just too much all centered around a match that wasn't even the main event.
Analysis: This segment just felt unnecessary. It could have just been a three minute backstage interview. Especially with The Shield already appearing earlier in the night, this was just too much all centered around a match that wasn't even the main event.
Bray Wyatt's still real annoyed he didn't get to show off his best drag.
Jason Jordan def. Bray Wyatt
Overview: Jason Jordan came out swinging early before he missed a shoulder tackle and crashed into the barricade and later in a failed comeback tweaked his knee. Wyatt targeted the knee consistently, but he was not ready when a hobbled Jordan reversed a Sister Abigail into a roll up for three. Afterward, Wyatt assaulted Jordan including slamming the knee into the post.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match surprised me even if it was not the greatest match from either man. Wyatt helped Jordan look good by limiting him and letting his surprising power shine. The win and post-match assault coupled together to make an interesting situation and future feud that could help make Jordan finally.
Highlights:
- Wyatt cheap shot Jordan then headbutt him only to be caught for back-to-back corner charges then a shoulder tackle and belly-to-belly suplex.
- Wyatt caught Jordan with a uranage but marched into a straight right.
Analysis: This match surprised me even if it was not the greatest match from either man. Wyatt helped Jordan look good by limiting him and letting his surprising power shine. The win and post-match assault coupled together to make an interesting situation and future feud that could help make Jordan finally.
Paul Heyman Books AJ Styles vs. Brock Lesnar as the Next Rocky Movie
Overview: With Brock Lesnar standing at his side, Paul Heyman sold the main event against AJ Styles, talking up The Phenomenal One before making it clear Styles was an underdog against impossible odds. Lesnar smiled as Heyman promised Styles had no chance but at least would put on a great show.
Analysis: This promo was fine even with the crowd getting heavily distracted. It would have been interesting though if Styles appeared. This main event has now changed so much that it could use a big moment to sell everyone on the match. Another potential moment would have been Jinder Mahal trying to attack Lesnar in frustration and getting laid out given they had actual story.
Analysis: This promo was fine even with the crowd getting heavily distracted. It would have been interesting though if Styles appeared. This main event has now changed so much that it could use a big moment to sell everyone on the match. Another potential moment would have been Jinder Mahal trying to attack Lesnar in frustration and getting laid out given they had actual story.
The big Shield reunion is upon us, and Raw already doesn't care enough to make it the main event.
The Shield def. The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro
Overview: As The Shield began rolling as a unit again, The Miz ran into the crowd to avoid the trio only to return after Sheamus and Cesaro gained back control. After Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose cleared things up the ring, The Miz was left surrounded by the trio and took a Spear into the triple powerbomb for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match did not entirely come off as The Shield's grand return with Ambrose and Rollins working much of the early match. However, once Reigns got the hot tag, the crazed energy that made Shield six-man tag matches special was on full display in a fantastic wild finish.
Highlights:
- Rollins and Ambrose hit their snapmare combo on Cesaro then Ambrose and Cesaro went for a rough fight of trading corner chops.
- Rollins and Ambrose assisted each other in hitting diving axe handles on Cesaro.
- Sheamus was trapped in the ropes to take back-to-back dropkicks from Rollins and Ambrose followed by a clothesline from Reigns that sent him to the floor with Cesaro quickly dumped with him to take side-by-side slingshot plancha.
- Reigns big boot Cesaro then hit him with a Samoan drop only for a distraction by Miz that drew an Ambrose suicide dive to set up a corner uppercut into a pop-up European uppercut.
- Cesaro took a Superman Punch then went for a Spear that Cesaro broke up with an uppercut to set up a Neutralizer that Reigns blocked by flipping Cesaro.
- Cesaro's springboard corkscrew uppercut was turned into a Superman Punch with Miz trying to roll up Reigns after only to take a springboard knee, followed by Ambrose taking out Sheamus with Dirty Deeds.
Analysis: This match did not entirely come off as The Shield's grand return with Ambrose and Rollins working much of the early match. However, once Reigns got the hot tag, the crazed energy that made Shield six-man tag matches special was on full display in a fantastic wild finish.
Triple H Names Himself Team Raw's Fifth Member, Killing Jason Jordan's Dream
Overview: Angle returned to make the official announcement about Team Raw with Jordan's injury. Jordan came out, nearly crying as he asked his father to allow him this chance, to compete alongside his idol. Stephanie laughed at this followed by Triple H appearing, announcing he was now Team Raw's fifth member and Pedigreeing Jordan.
Analysis: This segment would have been a perfect babyface coming out moment for Jordan if he had won over more fans. His motivation to work with his father and prove himself was perfect in finally selling his character. It was even better to have HHH return and take out Jordan and steal his spot.
While I hate to see Hunter taking a spot that could have gone to Bray Wyatt instead especially with only the motivation that Stephanie needs him to defend Raw, it was the perfect segment for Jordan. The world turned against him all at once, and you better believe he will come back with true vengeance.
Analysis: This segment would have been a perfect babyface coming out moment for Jordan if he had won over more fans. His motivation to work with his father and prove himself was perfect in finally selling his character. It was even better to have HHH return and take out Jordan and steal his spot.
While I hate to see Hunter taking a spot that could have gone to Bray Wyatt instead especially with only the motivation that Stephanie needs him to defend Raw, it was the perfect segment for Jordan. The world turned against him all at once, and you better believe he will come back with true vengeance.
A reminder that these two once won a tag team tournament together that included Enzo and Cass, The Hype Bros, American Alpha, The Revival, and DIY. Not that anyone remembers that or even wants to acknowledge it.
Samoa Joe and Finn Balor def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
Overview: While Samoa Joe showed animosity toward Finn Balor at first, setting up Balor to get isolated by the tag team acumen of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, he eventually got the hot tag and rolled. Joe hit a uranage on Anderson and suicide dive on Gallows to set up a Coup De Grace for the win with Joe walking out quickly afterward.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was fine, but, with the result never in question, it was a shame Joe spent the entire match until the finish watching Balor get beat down. Balor again did the hard work making his buddies look good, but it would be more interesting if he had pulled off unique moves with Gallows and Anderson.
Highlights:
- Balor dodged the charge of Anderson then caught him with a step-up enzuigiri only to be tripped off the top rope.
- Balor fought out of Anderson's grip with strikes only to be bounced off the ropes into a spinebuster.
- Gallows threw Balor into the ropes to bounce into a big boot, missed a running elbow drop, then took an overhead kick.
- Joe got the hot tag and ran through Anderson with an atomic drop, big boot, and running senton followed by the back elbow into a backward enzuigiri.
Analysis: This match was fine, but, with the result never in question, it was a shame Joe spent the entire match until the finish watching Balor get beat down. Balor again did the hard work making his buddies look good, but it would be more interesting if he had pulled off unique moves with Gallows and Anderson.
Braun Strowman and Kane Go Right Through the Ring
Overview: These two went to war before the bell could ring with Braun Strowman dominating Kane until Kane sent him knees first into the steel steps. The two fought around the ring until Strowman carried Kane back into the ring and running powerslammed him through the mat.
Analysis: That was an interesting way to conclude Raw on the go-home show for Survivor Series. While the moment of Strowman sending Kane through the ring was great, it made no sense as a close to Raw's final show ahead of Survivor Series. Where was SmackDown? I suppose SmackDown will have some big angle with Raw instead.
Analysis: That was an interesting way to conclude Raw on the go-home show for Survivor Series. While the moment of Strowman sending Kane through the ring was great, it made no sense as a close to Raw's final show ahead of Survivor Series. Where was SmackDown? I suppose SmackDown will have some big angle with Raw instead.
Paul Heyman wants to care about Survivor Series, but he didn't even tell his client to shave his lazy peach fuzz before appearing.
Final Notes: Angle talked to all of Team Raw and booked them in matches to prove they will work well together. With Jordan's leg being look at after his match with Wyatt, Angle told Jordan he wasn't sure his son could compete with Jordan demanding he not lose his spot because it was his big break.
Kane relished in reflecting on what he did to Strowman at TLC, promising to do more tonight which made him smile. In an interview, Alexa Bliss talked about the Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair match coming up, saying she might watch it live tomorrow in the arena if she feels like it with it ultimately not mattering come Sunday.
Conclusion: This was a solid if forgettable show that has some cool moments, but the matches were underwhelming particularly with the line-up presented. Only The Shield match was up to standard, and even that had a chance to be better than it was.
In the end, the real lowlight of this show though was the complete lack of SmackDown. In all these weeks of build-up and promises of major hit between these rosters, WWE has largely done nothing to sell this brand warfare. Nobody really seems all that excited to face their opponents on Sunday.
How much better could this show have been if WWE had brought in the big guns from SmackDown for surprise appearances? The New Day could have actually appeared to accept The Shield's challenge after their win. Styles could have stared down Lesnar. Shane could have made Angle say he'd break his ankle to his face. So many missed opportunities.
Kane relished in reflecting on what he did to Strowman at TLC, promising to do more tonight which made him smile. In an interview, Alexa Bliss talked about the Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair match coming up, saying she might watch it live tomorrow in the arena if she feels like it with it ultimately not mattering come Sunday.
Conclusion: This was a solid if forgettable show that has some cool moments, but the matches were underwhelming particularly with the line-up presented. Only The Shield match was up to standard, and even that had a chance to be better than it was.
In the end, the real lowlight of this show though was the complete lack of SmackDown. In all these weeks of build-up and promises of major hit between these rosters, WWE has largely done nothing to sell this brand warfare. Nobody really seems all that excited to face their opponents on Sunday.
How much better could this show have been if WWE had brought in the big guns from SmackDown for surprise appearances? The New Day could have actually appeared to accept The Shield's challenge after their win. Styles could have stared down Lesnar. Shane could have made Angle say he'd break his ankle to his face. So many missed opportunities.