Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Why do we watch WWE? For the brilliant moments such as last week's double turn with Neville and Enzo Amore that ended the show. We spent hundreds of hours a year slogging through stories and matches to get to the moments whether they are payoff matches or excellent promos.
It's all a journey, and the build-up is not always excellent. However, every now and then, WWE hits so hard it changes the product and the way we view talent and the brand. However, since last week had such a great finish, we are probably getting garbage this week. That's just the way it goes.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
It's all a journey, and the build-up is not always excellent. However, every now and then, WWE hits so hard it changes the product and the way we view talent and the brand. However, since last week had such a great finish, we are probably getting garbage this week. That's just the way it goes.
Last Week's Monday Night Raw Review
Glad to see Seth Rollins has fallen into his role as tag team champion by becoming incompetent as a singles star.
Braun Strowman def. Seth Rollins
Overview: Seth Rollins came out swinging, but he struggled to even get Braun Strowman off his feet. When he finally succeeded though, Strowman refused to stay down, catching Rollins for a running powerslam for the win. Afterward, he hit an extra running powerslam on Rollins.
When he considered hitting another on Rollins, Dean Ambrose ran out to make the save only to take a pair of chokeslams then a running powerslam from Strowman. Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus walked out and got in their own shots on the tag team champions.
Highlights:
Analysis: While this only further confused what the direction was for everyone in this segment, the match between Strowman and Rollins was quality and showed strong chemistry. I would not mind seeing more from the pairing which probably won't come soon. Looks like Cesaro and Sheamus still get one more shot at Rollins and Ambrose.
When he considered hitting another on Rollins, Dean Ambrose ran out to make the save only to take a pair of chokeslams then a running powerslam from Strowman. Afterward, Cesaro and Sheamus walked out and got in their own shots on the tag team champions.
Highlights:
- Strowman went for an early running powerslam only for Rollins to skip out and slap Strowman which set Strowman off as he ran after Rollins, taking an enzuigiri before nearly hitting a chokeslam then connecting with a military press slam.
- Rollins hit a jawbreaker then sent Strowman outside followed by slingshot double boots only for Strowman to stop his suicide dive with a forearm.
- Rollins got up a boot to set up a diving crossbody which Strowman turned in a fallaway slam to the floor.
- Strowman finally hit a suicide dive then Rollins hit him with a pair of springboard clotheslines before a blockbuster that finally got Strowman down for one.
- Rollins hit a superkick into a low-angle superkick but took a short-arm clothesline as he attempted his finisher.
Analysis: While this only further confused what the direction was for everyone in this segment, the match between Strowman and Rollins was quality and showed strong chemistry. I would not mind seeing more from the pairing which probably won't come soon. Looks like Cesaro and Sheamus still get one more shot at Rollins and Ambrose.
Elias def. Titus O'Neil
Overview: Elias angrily berated Denver before and during his song. Titus O'Neil dominated this match before he sent Elias outside where he attacked Apollo Crews which distracted Titus enough for Elias to bounce his throat off the top rope into Drift Away for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was far too short to mean anything which was a bit disappointing as it had actual build-up. It is clear though that Elias is one of WWE's big projects while Titus Worldwide is just a fun side show. Elias needs to be paired up with someone big again to keep up his momentum.
Highlights:
- Titus chopped Elias in the corner before body slamming him to the mat.
- Titus caught Elias with a body avalanche into a big boot that sent him outside.
Analysis: This match was far too short to mean anything which was a bit disappointing as it had actual build-up. It is clear though that Elias is one of WWE's big projects while Titus Worldwide is just a fun side show. Elias needs to be paired up with someone big again to keep up his momentum.
We should send Mickie to a retirement home. Haha, it's funny. You get it? It's funny because women are so old when they hit 38.
Mickie James def. Nia Jax By Disqualification
Overview: Alexa Bliss watched at ringside as Nia Jax quickly began beating down on Mickie James. Throughout this match, Jax completely dominated with Mickie unable to sustain any offense.
However, after battling off a chokeslam on the top rope, Mickie hit a tornado DDT on Jax with Bliss breaking the pin up for the DQ. Afterward, Mickie kicked Bliss outside to stand tall over both heels as she headed up the ramp.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a bland match throughout. Jax spent most of it insulting Mickie, and Mickie's offense never looked good against her. This was once again not a good sign that Mickie has a few more good matches left in her given how consistently strong Jax has been in recent months.
However, after battling off a chokeslam on the top rope, Mickie hit a tornado DDT on Jax with Bliss breaking the pin up for the DQ. Afterward, Mickie kicked Bliss outside to stand tall over both heels as she headed up the ramp.
Highlights:
- Mickie fought out of a bear hug with strikes but was quickly dumped to the floor.
- Mickie caught Jax with a jawbreaker but ran right into a body block.
- Jax went for a powerbomb, but Mickie jumped free and began a series of strikes before kicking Jax's leg out from under her before being tackled into the corner.
Analysis: This was a bland match throughout. Jax spent most of it insulting Mickie, and Mickie's offense never looked good against her. This was once again not a good sign that Mickie has a few more good matches left in her given how consistently strong Jax has been in recent months.
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson def. Matt Hardy and Jason Jordan
Overview: The explosiveness of Matt Hardy and Jason Jordan allowed them an early advantage before they were ground down by the more experience pairing of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Jordan was taken out outside followed by Gallows reversing the Twist of Fate and hitting Matt with the Magic Killer for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a surprising result given there is much more reason for WWE to keep building up the pairing of Matt and Jordan unless Gallows and Anderson will finally be getting a title shot soon. The match was fine, and it may lead to a better match down the line if this feud continues.
Highlights:
- Matt caught Anderson with the Side Effect then the two faces clotheslined Gallows over the top rope to the floor.
- Jordan suplexed Anderson into the corner then hit him with a shoulder tackle.
- Matt caught Gallows with corner clotheslunes then a running bulldog with a clothesline on Anderson running in as well.
- Matt spiked Gallows with a tornado DDT into an elbow drop.
Analysis: This was a surprising result given there is much more reason for WWE to keep building up the pairing of Matt and Jordan unless Gallows and Anderson will finally be getting a title shot soon. The match was fine, and it may lead to a better match down the line if this feud continues.
Well, Miztourage... you almost main evented a PPV. Just missed it by 3 weeks.
Roman Reigns def. The Miz By Disqualification; The Miz Retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Overview: The Miz and The Miztourage walked to the ring through the crowd with taking out Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel before the match with Superman Punches and Drive Bys then a steel chair barrage on the stage. Miz seemed out of his depth against Reigns before Cesaro and Sheamus interfered.
They got the disqualification followed by assaulting Reigns, hitting with him a Brogue Kick before Miz took him out with the Skull Crushing Finale. They then hit Reigns with a triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
Analysis: This ended up making more sense of the opening segment with Cesaro & Sheamus replacing The Miztourage as the more lethal combo to pair with Miz for The Shield return. If the titles of Miz and Ambrose & Rollins are both on the line in the six-man tag that is coming, it could easily be the main event of TLC.
They got the disqualification followed by assaulting Reigns, hitting with him a Brogue Kick before Miz took him out with the Skull Crushing Finale. They then hit Reigns with a triple powerbomb.
Highlights:
- Miz tripped Reigns off the apron then threw him into the steps then the crowd.
- Miz caught the Superman Punch and turned it into a Skull Crushing Finale.
- Reigns turned a running corner clothesline into a Superman Punch nearfall.
Analysis: This ended up making more sense of the opening segment with Cesaro & Sheamus replacing The Miztourage as the more lethal combo to pair with Miz for The Shield return. If the titles of Miz and Ambrose & Rollins are both on the line in the six-man tag that is coming, it could easily be the main event of TLC.
Bray Wyatt Declares That He Will Reveal His Own Demon Thanks to Sister Abigail
Overview: Finn Balor talked down Bray Wyatt, calling him a coward who could not even beat Balor with his best mind games. Wyatt appeared on screen, saying that he would reveal the true demon in Balor and himself. He then announced that Sister Abigail was alive before beginning to laugh creepily as the picture of him on screen distorted.
Analysis: For the longest time, some have called for Sister Abigail to debut as part of The Wyatt Family, but Wyatt's story always sold that she was dead. It looks like she might finally be debuting, perhaps inhabiting a younger body. Wyatt certainly needs some change in his direction, and this could help if it begins a dominant run for him.
Analysis: For the longest time, some have called for Sister Abigail to debut as part of The Wyatt Family, but Wyatt's story always sold that she was dead. It looks like she might finally be debuting, perhaps inhabiting a younger body. Wyatt certainly needs some change in his direction, and this could help if it begins a dominant run for him.
Emma could not be more excited for Twitter's new 280-character trial. Her new hashtags to get trending will be legendary.
Bayley and Sasha Banks def. Emma and Alicia Fox
Overview: Emma announced in a pretaped interview before the match that she had found a better partner this week than Jax who respected her accomplishments. Sasha Banks and Bayley had too much fun at the expense of Emma and Alicia Fox, allowing the heels to take cheap shots and gain control.
Once the faces gained back control, Emma walked out on Fox and allowed Fox to take a Bayley-to-Belly for the heel loss.
Highlights:
Analysis: This tag team match had no right being as good as it was. The two teams worked well together and had chemistry with one another. The pacing was strong as was the storytelling. While it looks like Emma and Fox were a one-and-done team, I wouldn't mind seeing more out of the duo.
Once the faces gained back control, Emma walked out on Fox and allowed Fox to take a Bayley-to-Belly for the heel loss.
Highlights:
- Banks hit Bayley's Slip 'N Slide on Emma then tagged in Bayley who did it herself.
- Banks and Fox went on a striking flurry before Banks hit her with a knee strike into a single-leg dropkick and a double knee drop.
- Banks turned a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker into a lateral press then knocked the heels into each other to get the hot tag to Bayley.
Analysis: This tag team match had no right being as good as it was. The two teams worked well together and had chemistry with one another. The pacing was strong as was the storytelling. While it looks like Emma and Fox were a one-and-done team, I wouldn't mind seeing more out of the duo.
Enzo Amore Denounces the Cruiserweight Division Before Kalisto Arrives as His Newest Challenger
Overview: Enzo Amore once more berated the cruiserweight division, making clear that none of them could touch him tonight or they would be fired. He also reiterated that their attack on him last week meant not one of them could challenge him for his WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
This brought out GM Kurt Angle who announced Enzo's next challenger and newest cruiserweight, Kalisto, who stormed the ring and took out Enzo with the Salida Del Sol.
Analysis: Kalisto has been used so poorly lately that this came off as a bit anticlimactic despite being a huge and important moments for the division. Kalisto has long needed this change and should be a big part of the division going forward. This also makes sure that WWE puts more time building up to the ultimate clash of Enzo and Neville.
This brought out GM Kurt Angle who announced Enzo's next challenger and newest cruiserweight, Kalisto, who stormed the ring and took out Enzo with the Salida Del Sol.
Analysis: Kalisto has been used so poorly lately that this came off as a bit anticlimactic despite being a huge and important moments for the division. Kalisto has long needed this change and should be a big part of the division going forward. This also makes sure that WWE puts more time building up to the ultimate clash of Enzo and Neville.
What do you think you're doing to my wrestling? You trying to tell me it's not all real by having heels and faces standing together?
Final Notes: Mickie found a walker in her locker room which sent her after Bliss only to meet Jax in Bliss's locker room, challenging Mickie to a match for later. Another Asuka video package was shown for her coming debut at TLC. Kurt Angle later announced Bliss vs. Mickie officially at TLC.
Reigns made clear he wasn't worried about Ambrose and Rollins getting beaten down earlier as they would get their revenge on their own while he focused on winning the Intercontinental Championship. Several breast cancer survivors were honored by Dana Warrior.
Enzo was asked about his response to last week's beatdown, and he for once had no words. Wyatt seemed to be losing in mind in a promo, talking about his confusion over Sister Abigail and his loss to Balor. The show ended with Reigns in the locker room hurt before Ambrose and Rollins appeared to quietly stands next to him for a few moments.
Conclusion: This was a tight show with some surprisingly strong segments and a lot of wrestling. While some of WWE's storytelling lately is a bit contrived particularly their quick attempt to pair up The Shield again, the shows have been compact and well-executed with the talent clearly working motivated.
The main issue right now is simply that, despite these solid shows, the actual card being built for TLC is far from exciting. The only reason The Shield are even being reformed is to hide an otherwise underwhelming card with a bunch of title matches that hardly scream money match.
Still, I'll take it if it means quality TV because the talent will always make a card better than it looks on paper, and Raw has had a lot of bad PPVs with great cards. Right now, everyone is on point in building the product and making the most of this Raw roster.
Reigns made clear he wasn't worried about Ambrose and Rollins getting beaten down earlier as they would get their revenge on their own while he focused on winning the Intercontinental Championship. Several breast cancer survivors were honored by Dana Warrior.
Enzo was asked about his response to last week's beatdown, and he for once had no words. Wyatt seemed to be losing in mind in a promo, talking about his confusion over Sister Abigail and his loss to Balor. The show ended with Reigns in the locker room hurt before Ambrose and Rollins appeared to quietly stands next to him for a few moments.
Conclusion: This was a tight show with some surprisingly strong segments and a lot of wrestling. While some of WWE's storytelling lately is a bit contrived particularly their quick attempt to pair up The Shield again, the shows have been compact and well-executed with the talent clearly working motivated.
The main issue right now is simply that, despite these solid shows, the actual card being built for TLC is far from exciting. The only reason The Shield are even being reformed is to hide an otherwise underwhelming card with a bunch of title matches that hardly scream money match.
Still, I'll take it if it means quality TV because the talent will always make a card better than it looks on paper, and Raw has had a lot of bad PPVs with great cards. Right now, everyone is on point in building the product and making the most of this Raw roster.
