Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Survivor Series 2016 is on the horizon, and this year it is all about brand warfare as Raw and SmackDown go to war with three five-on-five elimination matches and a Raw vs. SmackDown title singles match with Dolph Ziggler putting his title up against anyone from Raw.
Last week, those teams began to form. This week though, Raw and SmackDown needed to finalize their teams even as both brands are touring Europe with Monday Night Raw in Glasglow, Scotland.
How Survivor Series would finish up shaping its main matches would define this whole show with a hope that WWE would not spend too much time on Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg.
Last week, those teams began to form. This week though, Raw and SmackDown needed to finalize their teams even as both brands are touring Europe with Monday Night Raw in Glasglow, Scotland.
How Survivor Series would finish up shaping its main matches would define this whole show with a hope that WWE would not spend too much time on Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg.
Braun Strowman is already tired of all the talking.
Raw Sets Its Men's Survivor Series Team
Overview: Stephanie McMahon opened the show and introduced all four members so far named for the men's Team Raw: Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, and Braun Strowman. Seth Rollins was then revealed as the final member.
Stephanie made clear jobs were on the line in this match before leaving them to get on the same page. Team Kevin and Chris berated their partners until they lost it and brawled. Stephanie came back to announce the five would all fight tonight to get over their differences.
Analysis: This got its point across but wasn't all that exciting. I have no idea why WWE thought there was any reason to delay Rollins being named the final member of the team. It was so obvious that he'd be the last member that it was confusing it took so long.
Stephanie made clear jobs were on the line in this match before leaving them to get on the same page. Team Kevin and Chris berated their partners until they lost it and brawled. Stephanie came back to announce the five would all fight tonight to get over their differences.
Analysis: This got its point across but wasn't all that exciting. I have no idea why WWE thought there was any reason to delay Rollins being named the final member of the team. It was so obvious that he'd be the last member that it was confusing it took so long.
Noam Dar couldn't just be a gentleman and accept his loss like a man.
Rich Swann and Sin Cara def. The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar
Overview: Noam Dar made his debut in his home country of Scotland. The Brian Kendrick used more dirty tactics early in this match to help Dar get back from control. However, Kendrick again struggled to fight Swann who rolled him up for a three count with Dar and Cara outside.
Afterward, Kendrick called out Dar for "losing" the match then attacked him only for Dar to fight back, sweep Kendrick's leg, and hit a running bicycle kick.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match didn't stand out too much but had some good moments. It was cool to see Dar get his moment though he was somewhat underutilized in the actual match. His post-match turn may have been a crowd-pleasing moment but also was one of the stronger character beats in the cruiserweight division.
Clearly they are setting up Swann as a future title contender for Kendrick right now which is good because it should put Swann in a better spot to succeed than he has had so far.
Afterward, Kendrick called out Dar for "losing" the match then attacked him only for Dar to fight back, sweep Kendrick's leg, and hit a running bicycle kick.
Highlights:
- Kendrick pulled Cara off the top rope to the outside.
- Cara fought back with a deadlift powerbomb.
- Swann rolled with a double foot stomp to the back of Kendrick then a Rolling Thunder with Dar forced to break up the cover.
- Cara hit a slingshot senton to the floor on Dar.
Analysis: This match didn't stand out too much but had some good moments. It was cool to see Dar get his moment though he was somewhat underutilized in the actual match. His post-match turn may have been a crowd-pleasing moment but also was one of the stronger character beats in the cruiserweight division.
Clearly they are setting up Swann as a future title contender for Kendrick right now which is good because it should put Swann in a better spot to succeed than he has had so far.
Enzo whispers to The New Day that they are actually caricaturing their crowd, but the crowd doesn't care.
The New Day Try to Rally Team Raw; Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. The New Day's Big E and Kofi Kingston
Overview: Raw's four leading tag teams came out before their team captain trio The New Day. Since New Day took too long to came out, Sheamus started demanding to be captain of Team Raw. New Day finally came out as Sheamus tried to walk out.
As Gallows and Anderson tried to walk out, New Day gave them a Braveheart speech which got everyone on board with Gallows and Anderson, leading to a match. Gallows managed to get Big E out of the way then Anderson caught Kofi with a spinebuster then the Magic Killer for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was the best characterization we have ever seen for Gallows and Anderson, and it was coupled by an impressive clean victory over the champions. The heavyweights looked and sounded like the monster mercenaries they always should be.
As Gallows and Anderson tried to walk out, New Day gave them a Braveheart speech which got everyone on board with Gallows and Anderson, leading to a match. Gallows managed to get Big E out of the way then Anderson caught Kofi with a spinebuster then the Magic Killer for the win.
Highlights:
- Anderson tried to monkey flip Kofi twice, but Kofi landed on his feet, hitting a double knee comeback.
- Big E caught the apron on a throw through the ropes then hit elbows on Gallows and Anderson but then got big booted.
- Gallows hit a splash on Big E then elevated him for a neckbreaker.
- Anderson caught Big E off the ropes with a dropkick to the knee.\
- After a flurry, Kofi hit a Boom Drop, missed the Trouble in Paradise, then hit a flying crossbody on Anderson.
- Gallows broke up the Midnight Hour then took out Big E.
Analysis: This was the best characterization we have ever seen for Gallows and Anderson, and it was coupled by an impressive clean victory over the champions. The heavyweights looked and sounded like the monster mercenaries they always should be.
The Shining Stars are selling masters. They have sold them for Heath Slater's trailer money and Golden Truth's Survivor Series spot.
The Shining Stars def. The Golden Truth to Officially Take the Final Spot on Team Raw
Overview: The Shining Stars managed to isolate R-Truth early. When Goldust got the hot tag, he seemed unstoppable until Epico distracted him with a brochure then Primo rolled up Goldust with his feet on the ropes for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a surprising turn by WWE that actually made The Shining Stars a bigger deal. They got away with stealing The Golden Truth's spot at Survivor Series which is the biggest thing the duo has done so far. It was actually heartbreaking to see Goldust hurt so much by the failure.
Highlights:
- Truth almost fought off both men in the heel corner until he was whipped into a dropkick.
- Truth tried to kick his way free only to be repeatedly stomped.
- The Shining Stars hit a double dropkick to a sitting Truth.
- Goldust hit an uppercut on Primo then caught Epico for an Atomic Drop then hit Primo with a running bulldog.
Analysis: This was a surprising turn by WWE that actually made The Shining Stars a bigger deal. They got away with stealing The Golden Truth's spot at Survivor Series which is the biggest thing the duo has done so far. It was actually heartbreaking to see Goldust hurt so much by the failure.
I know Bayley is supposed to be naive, but she looks like she doesn't understand the words Charlotte is saying.
The Final Two Members of the Women's Team Raw Are Announced; Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Alicia Fox def. Charlotte Flair, Dana Brooke, and Nia Jax
Overview: Michael Cole brought out Charlotte, Nia Jax, and Bayley as well as announcing Alicia Fox as the fourth member of Team Raw. Charlotte tried to announce Dana Brooke as the fifth member, but Cole interrupted and announced the final member was Banks instead.
In an impromptu six-woman tag match, Jax was the dominant wrestler in this match with the faces having no answer for her. Charlotte though accidentally big booted Jax which allowed Bayley to Bayley-to-Belly Charlotte for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a solid segment and match that particularly put over Bayley and Jax. Jax finally got a piece of the main event scene for the women, and she was a complete monster here. Bayley's overness was on full display here as she had the crowd singing for her throughout.
In an impromptu six-woman tag match, Jax was the dominant wrestler in this match with the faces having no answer for her. Charlotte though accidentally big booted Jax which allowed Bayley to Bayley-to-Belly Charlotte for the win.
Highlights:
- Banks repeatedly sent Brooke reeling, hitting multiple dropkicks.
- All three faces hit baseball slides on Jax, and she barely moved.
- Banks charged at Jax only to run into a body avalanche.
- Bayley hit a swinging cutter off the ropes on Charlotte.
- Jax ragdolled Fox then splashed her in the corner.
Analysis: This was a solid segment and match that particularly put over Bayley and Jax. Jax finally got a piece of the main event scene for the women, and she was a complete monster here. Bayley's overness was on full display here as she had the crowd singing for her throughout.
Poor Rusev, he was just not ready to fight in an American village like Scotland.
Sami Zayn def. Rusev to Become Raw's Number One Contender for the Intercontinental Championship
Overview: Rusev seemed to be dominating Zayn early, but the underdog refused to stay down. He took multiple side kicks but kicked out. Then he caught a Helluva Kick to Rusev who was on the top rope, sending him to the mat for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was not nearly as good as we've seen in the past from these two. It felt like the two were a bit rushed and did not quite click. The finish seemed like a better idea than a strong moment, barely looking like a Helluva Kick. Still, it is great Zayn won and will get to face Dolph Ziggler which should be a great match.
Highlights:
- Zayn sent Rusev outside and hit a somersault senton.
- Rusev turned Zayn's slam attempt into a headlock then pulled out for a side kick.
- Rusev missed a splash and went head-first into the steel post but blocked a Helluva Kick with another side kick.
Analysis: This match was not nearly as good as we've seen in the past from these two. It felt like the two were a bit rushed and did not quite click. The finish seemed like a better idea than a strong moment, barely looking like a Helluva Kick. Still, it is great Zayn won and will get to face Dolph Ziggler which should be a great match.
Strowman too strong, can only be defeated by throwing Jericho at him.
Kevin Owens def. Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, and Braun Strowman
Overview: Everyone tried to figure out a plan for Strowman early, but they could not figure out anything until they all teamed up on him. Eventually, Team Kevin and Chris took over, beating down everyone. Rollins though neutralized them both.
This left Rollins with KO, turning a pump up powerbomb into a Pedigree with Jericho breaking up the pin. Jericho ate a Pedigree then took a KO superkick only for KO to take a Superman Punch that landed Owens on top of Jericho for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a strong finish to the show with all five men putting in a good effort. Strowman was more of a story piece than an actual competitor, but he was a fun part of the match. Rollins was the real standout, coming out swinging and never stopping.
The match did not actually have stakes, but that didn't stop it from being impressively brutal as the wrestlers even pulled out weapons. It was smart booking to end the night with KO taking a win on Jericho, causing more turmoil between the two.
This left Rollins with KO, turning a pump up powerbomb into a Pedigree with Jericho breaking up the pin. Jericho ate a Pedigree then took a KO superkick only for KO to take a Superman Punch that landed Owens on top of Jericho for the win.
Highlights:
- Rollins pulled out a kendo stick and started swinging at Strowman.
- Strowman tried to reverse chokeslam Rollins through a table.
- Reigns tried to fight Strowman but took a reverse chokeslam then booted Jericho mid-air.
- Strowman took a KO superkick, Jericho dropkick, Rollins springboard knee, and Superman Punch in succession.
- Team Kevin and Chris break up a Reigns/Rollins double powerbomb on Strowman through a table.
- Jericho and KO threw Reigns into the steps then Jericho held Reigns for a cannonball into the barricade.
- Rollins caught KO for a reverse STO on the barricade then powerbombed Jericho into Strowman through a table.
Analysis: This was a strong finish to the show with all five men putting in a good effort. Strowman was more of a story piece than an actual competitor, but he was a fun part of the match. Rollins was the real standout, coming out swinging and never stopping.
The match did not actually have stakes, but that didn't stop it from being impressively brutal as the wrestlers even pulled out weapons. It was smart booking to end the night with KO taking a win on Jericho, causing more turmoil between the two.
Good of Raw to make its true star made the trip to Scotland.
Final Notes: WWE put extensive time into highlighting Goldberg vs. Lesnar in video packages for both men. They were really well done while humanizing Goldberg especially. Jericho tried to give Strowman a piece of his mind, but KO calmed it down and tried to get Strowman on their side unsuccessfully.
Stephanie brought Zayn to her office and demanded he face Rusev to crown the man who would face Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship. Truth told Goldust he sold their spot at Survivor Series for a Shining Star Resort timeshare with Goldust demanding he fix the situation.
Conclusion: It was a tight show tonight with only seven unique segments, and all of them had relevance to Survivor Series, assuming we are headed for Kendrick vs. TJP vs. Swann at the pay-per-view. WWE was smart with the talent they had available.
If WWE could be forced to maximize their talent like this every week, Raw would be quality. The wrestling was good. The promos were solid. The show was perfectly passed and minimized its backstage segment use.
The only reason this show wasn't perfect was a crowd that somewhat hampered the pacing and matches that could have been better (even though they were all fun). Still, I will take this type of Raw every week.
Stephanie brought Zayn to her office and demanded he face Rusev to crown the man who would face Ziggler for the Intercontinental Championship. Truth told Goldust he sold their spot at Survivor Series for a Shining Star Resort timeshare with Goldust demanding he fix the situation.
Conclusion: It was a tight show tonight with only seven unique segments, and all of them had relevance to Survivor Series, assuming we are headed for Kendrick vs. TJP vs. Swann at the pay-per-view. WWE was smart with the talent they had available.
If WWE could be forced to maximize their talent like this every week, Raw would be quality. The wrestling was good. The promos were solid. The show was perfectly passed and minimized its backstage segment use.
The only reason this show wasn't perfect was a crowd that somewhat hampered the pacing and matches that could have been better (even though they were all fun). Still, I will take this type of Raw every week.