Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It's all set. The fateful Shield reunion is upon us, and the anticipation is... high, I guess. I love this trio, and their run together was one of my favorite wrestling runs in history. However, WWE has been so blatant with this set up where there was little reasoning or storytelling behind it.
For whatever reason, WWE is convinced The Shield is the only thing that can save Raw right now. Perhaps it's because the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and free agent mega-star John Cena are likely not appearing again for most of the rest of this year.
Perhaps it's just because WWE cannot tell new stories and has decided to just trust... 4-year-old nostalgia to carry the entire Monday Night Raw brand. At least it should be fun, right? RIGHT?!
For whatever reason, WWE is convinced The Shield is the only thing that can save Raw right now. Perhaps it's because the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and free agent mega-star John Cena are likely not appearing again for most of the rest of this year.
Perhaps it's just because WWE cannot tell new stories and has decided to just trust... 4-year-old nostalgia to carry the entire Monday Night Raw brand. At least it should be fun, right? RIGHT?!
The Shield reunited but this time with their own garbage T-shirts.
The Shield Reunite to Exact Revenge on The Miz and Sheamus & Cesaro
Overview: The Miz began Miz TV as The Mizzies Part 2 celebrating his attack on Roman Reigns with awards for Curtis Axel, Sheamus & Cesaro, and himself. Sheamus & Cesaro taunted Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose as well as the idea of a Shield reunion before The Big Dog came out.
He stood at the ramp and talked down Miz before Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins came out to join him. The Shield then stormed the ring and cleaned house with Miz tried to duck the fighting only for The Shield to clear the ring then surround Miz, hitting him with a triple powerbomb.
Analysis: This was a cool enough moment, but it still felt telegraphed. I did not feel the rush I should have from finally seeing the trio fight together again, and part of that might be that I still just see them as three big stars rather than a unit as they were before. I don't believe they are actually The Shield again.
He stood at the ramp and talked down Miz before Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins came out to join him. The Shield then stormed the ring and cleaned house with Miz tried to duck the fighting only for The Shield to clear the ring then surround Miz, hitting him with a triple powerbomb.
Analysis: This was a cool enough moment, but it still felt telegraphed. I did not feel the rush I should have from finally seeing the trio fight together again, and part of that might be that I still just see them as three big stars rather than a unit as they were before. I don't believe they are actually The Shield again.
Jason Jordan def. Karl Anderson
Overview: Luke Gallows tried to distract Jason Jordan throughout this match to give Karl Anderson the advantage, but he was not quite able to slow Jordan down. Jordan finally dodged a charging Anderson in the corner then hit him with the pop-up neckbreaker.
Highlights:
Analysis: As always, Anderson feels underused in his matches with the tease that he could be great at some point. It was odd to have Jordan beat the Good Brothers all on his own with Matt Hardy's absence completely unexplained, but that's the story of Gallows and Anderson's careers.
Highlights:
- Jordan caught Anderson for a press slam then Gallows distracted him for a low dropkick to his knee by Anderson.
- Anderson caught Jordan out of the corner with a spinebuster.
- Jordan tackled Anderson into opposite corners of the ring then hit a release German suplex then a spear in the corner.
Analysis: As always, Anderson feels underused in his matches with the tease that he could be great at some point. It was odd to have Jordan beat the Good Brothers all on his own with Matt Hardy's absence completely unexplained, but that's the story of Gallows and Anderson's careers.
Elias with the reaction of everyone when it was stated we would again get Elias vs. Apollo.
Elias def. Apollo Crews
Overview: Titus O'Neil ruined Elias' pre-match concert by coming out playing a banjo. While Apollo Crews looked impressive throughout this match, Elias managed to get back on his game just in time to trip Crews throat-first onto the ropes followed by the Drift Away for another victory over Titus Worldwide.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was probably their best match together, but it still was little to write home about. This is similar to Elias' original feud with Finn Balor in that the difference in position on the card here is massive. While that Balor feud helped Balor, this one has done nothing but further remind us how little WWE sees in Crews.
Highlights:
- Elias hit Crews with Old School.
- Crews knocked down Elias for a standing moonsault.
- Crews jumped off the apron for a moonsault.
Analysis: This was probably their best match together, but it still was little to write home about. This is similar to Elias' original feud with Finn Balor in that the difference in position on the card here is massive. While that Balor feud helped Balor, this one has done nothing but further remind us how little WWE sees in Crews.
Enzo Amore Talks His Way Into a Lumberjack Match Against Kalisto
Overview: Enzo Amore called out General Manager Kurt Angle and demanded an explanation for why Kalisto was allowed to beat him up and get a title shot at TLC. Angle came out and seemed to be swayed by Enzo's taunting only to announce Enzo would now put his title on the line against Kalisto tonight in a lumberjack match with Enzo stipulating it be in the main event.
Analysis: This segment probably could have been backstage, but it served its purpose. Enzo continues to push his luck and has already put himself in a corner, forced into a match he was highly unlikely to win. I just wish Neville had gotten involved because there just has not been enough Neville lately.
Analysis: This segment probably could have been backstage, but it served its purpose. Enzo continues to push his luck and has already put himself in a corner, forced into a match he was highly unlikely to win. I just wish Neville had gotten involved because there just has not been enough Neville lately.
Hey, look, now they got new T-shirts... that WWE somehow whipped up because of some unproven rumors.
Braun Strowman def. Matt Hardy
Overview: Matt Hardy's veteran acumen was on display as he constantly maneuvered around Braun Strowman's best shots and let him hurt himself. However, the Twist of Fate was not enough, and he took two chokeslams then a running powerslam.
Afterward, Strowman looked to walk off with Matt on his shoulder, but The Shield arrived with Reigns Spearing Strowman then together triple powerbombing The Monster through the announce table.
Highlights:
Analysis: I have liked the way they have had Strowman run through top stars, but Strowman being added to this Shield story, while not wholly unexpected, is a waste. If The Shield are going to be around a little while, he could have faced them at Survivor Series as part of a team. Now he's just becoming the fourth wheel on the heel team.
Afterward, Strowman looked to walk off with Matt on his shoulder, but The Shield arrived with Reigns Spearing Strowman then together triple powerbombing The Monster through the announce table.
Highlights:
- Matt caught Strowman out of the corner with boots then clotheslined him followed by a series of strikes.
- Matt went for the Side Effect but was pushed off and took a body check that sent him rolling to the floor.
- Matt hit a jawbreaker then dodged a charging Strowman, sending him into the post shoulder-first.
- Matt caught Strowman with a tornado DDT then the Twist of Fate only for one.
Analysis: I have liked the way they have had Strowman run through top stars, but Strowman being added to this Shield story, while not wholly unexpected, is a waste. If The Shield are going to be around a little while, he could have faced them at Survivor Series as part of a team. Now he's just becoming the fourth wheel on the heel team.
Mickie James Refuses to Let Her Age Be a Factor In Her Career
Overview: Mickie James called out Alexa Bliss as a manipulator and refused to let her age define her, promising to win his seventh women's championship. Bliss came out to celebrate Mickie's career with a video package that was old fashion in presentation. Mickie challenged Bliss to get in the ring and fight her with Bliss refusing for now.
Analysis: This feud has been shockingly well-written as Mickie and Bliss are fantastic on the mic, selling what is a fairly petty feud. Bliss has been so hateable as she taunts Mickie that it really makes it easy to root for the face veteran. It is rare even in this better time for women in WWE to have writing that sells female feuds this well.
Analysis: This feud has been shockingly well-written as Mickie and Bliss are fantastic on the mic, selling what is a fairly petty feud. Bliss has been so hateable as she taunts Mickie that it really makes it easy to root for the face veteran. It is rare even in this better time for women in WWE to have writing that sells female feuds this well.
Those who haven't seen 205 Live must be utterly confused about Gallagher as a heel.
The Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher def. Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali
Overview: The underhanded viciousness of The Brian Kendrick and Jack Gallagher was too much for Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali who simply were overwhelmed. Ali got the hot tag but was quickly slowed before running into Sliced Bread #2 for the heel victory.
Highlights:
Analysis: It was cool to finally see Gallagher get to perform as a heel on Raw with his alliance with Kendrick fully showcased here with an impressively dominant win. The match was not great, but I would be welcome to more use of Gallagher and Kendrick on Raw.
Highlights:
- Gallagher hit Alexander with a dropkick then tagged in Kendrick to hit a butterfly suplex then lock in a cravate.
- Ali caught Gallagher with an elevated dropkick then caught Kendrick with an enzuigiri into a rolling neckbreaker.
Analysis: It was cool to finally see Gallagher get to perform as a heel on Raw with his alliance with Kendrick fully showcased here with an impressively dominant win. The match was not great, but I would be welcome to more use of Gallagher and Kendrick on Raw.
Bray Wyatt Introduces Finn Balor to Sister Abigail
Overview: Finn Balor called out Bray Wyatt again, expecting he would reveal the true identity of Sister Abigail. Wyatt appeared on the titantron and transformed into Abigail with a veiled face. She said that she chose Wyatt to spread her word and stated that her kiss would burn the world to the ground.
Analysis: This will get divisive reactions, but I actually like this idea for Sister Abigail. She is a demonic unstoppable force that can take over Wyatt. It will be similar to accepting the full story of Balor as The Demon. All that matters though is that it is properly sold. Wyatt should be completely unstoppable and run over Balor the same way Balor did to him at SummerSlam.
Analysis: This will get divisive reactions, but I actually like this idea for Sister Abigail. She is a demonic unstoppable force that can take over Wyatt. It will be similar to accepting the full story of Balor as The Demon. All that matters though is that it is properly sold. Wyatt should be completely unstoppable and run over Balor the same way Balor did to him at SummerSlam.
The first ever "who gets to job" match.
Emma def. Sasha Banks, Alicia Fox, Bayley, and Dana Brooke in an Elimination Match to Earn a Match Against Asuka at TLC
Overview: Bayley caught Dana Brooke with a Bayley-to-Belly for the first elimination then Alicia Fox caught Bayley with an axe kick for the next elimination. Sasha Banks managed to get Fox and Emma fighting then caught Fox with the Bank Statement for a submission only to be caught with a backslide by Emma for the final elimination.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match was exceptionally sloppy with Emma and Fox just struggling to connect even after Brooke was taken out early. While the end goal would be to see Asuka vs. Bayley and Banks, it makes sense to have her first match be against Emma, someone she has already defeated. This could be a good match if it isn't a squash.
Highlights:
- Fox went for a running boot in the corner on Banks with Emma immediately trying to roll her up on the rebound.
- Banks caught Fox and Emma with a double dropkick then sent Fox into the corner with a headscissors followed by a jumping double knee strike.
Analysis: This match was exceptionally sloppy with Emma and Fox just struggling to connect even after Brooke was taken out early. While the end goal would be to see Asuka vs. Bayley and Banks, it makes sense to have her first match be against Emma, someone she has already defeated. This could be a good match if it isn't a squash.
Kalisto def. Enzo Amore to Become the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion
Overview: The cruiserweights did not all turn on Enzo as expected with the heels, who had stated they appreciated the champion on 205 Live, showing their respect, while Ali had to constantly throw him back in. Enzo took a cheap shot at Ali eventually with Ali responding by pulling Enzo off a pin after he hit JawdonZo. Kalisto then caught Enzo with Salida Del Sol on the top rope for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This match honestly wasn't that great, probably because Enzo just is never going to have great matches. Most of the action here happened on the outside with the lumberjacks fighting. It was also disappointing this was the end of the cruiserweight story even if it makes sense to allow everyone to fight for the title again.
Nothing against Kalisto but he was not the guy who should be avenging the division. Imagine if Kalisto had lost and then been not allowed to challenge again with someone like Ali convincing Angle to give him one chance at the title with his career on the line and managing to just barely topple Enzo. Instead it all gets reset.
Highlights:
- Enzo connected with a punt kick on Kalisto then tried to throw him outside only to have him catch the apron, hit an enzuigiri, then a springboard crossbody.
- Enzo found an opening to hit a short-arm powerbomb into the bottom turnbuckle.
- Enzo went for another punt kick which Kalisto caught and hit a low kick to the knee then a running low-angle headscissors.
- Kalisto knocked out Enzo on the top rope then superplexed Enzo into the lumberjacks, fighting at ringside.
- After a cheap shot on Ali earlier, he cost Enzo a win after hitting JawdonZo.
Analysis: This match honestly wasn't that great, probably because Enzo just is never going to have great matches. Most of the action here happened on the outside with the lumberjacks fighting. It was also disappointing this was the end of the cruiserweight story even if it makes sense to allow everyone to fight for the title again.
Nothing against Kalisto but he was not the guy who should be avenging the division. Imagine if Kalisto had lost and then been not allowed to challenge again with someone like Ali convincing Angle to give him one chance at the title with his career on the line and managing to just barely topple Enzo. Instead it all gets reset.
And so ended the legacy of the cruiserweight division actually main eventing.
Final Notes: Miz was being looked at by the medical staff backstage when Angle informed him that he would team with Sheamus & Cesaro against The Shield in a TLC match in the main event of TLC. The Shield were interviewed, and all three excitedly talked up how they would once more run this show.
The latest promo was shown for Asuka with a look back at her undefeated NXT run. Balor admitted in an interview that he heard Sister Abigail's words in the back of his head, holding a greater power than he possibly explain, and it frightened him. Kalisto hoped to live up the cruiserweight division's legacy by taking down Enzo.
Conclusion: This show was a step down from previous weeks thanks to odd pacing throughout even though I appreciate there being multiple matches on the card that meant something. The biggest issue was simply the matches underwhelming with sloppy execution.
The TLC set-up was extremely telegraphed, and WWE still has yet to prove they can make this card compelling. Even The Shield story went from solid to overdone with the handicap addition wildly unnecessary. Even the cruiserweights story was sloppily ended after excellent execution so far.
This roster is looking understaffed which makes no sense. Raw is just as stacked as SmackDown, and SmackDown often seems to be lacking for time to use all its wrestlers. Three hours starting to feel like too much without Lesnar around.
The latest promo was shown for Asuka with a look back at her undefeated NXT run. Balor admitted in an interview that he heard Sister Abigail's words in the back of his head, holding a greater power than he possibly explain, and it frightened him. Kalisto hoped to live up the cruiserweight division's legacy by taking down Enzo.
Conclusion: This show was a step down from previous weeks thanks to odd pacing throughout even though I appreciate there being multiple matches on the card that meant something. The biggest issue was simply the matches underwhelming with sloppy execution.
The TLC set-up was extremely telegraphed, and WWE still has yet to prove they can make this card compelling. Even The Shield story went from solid to overdone with the handicap addition wildly unnecessary. Even the cruiserweights story was sloppily ended after excellent execution so far.
This roster is looking understaffed which makes no sense. Raw is just as stacked as SmackDown, and SmackDown often seems to be lacking for time to use all its wrestlers. Three hours starting to feel like too much without Lesnar around.