Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
It's once again an all important go-home show week. Evolution is Sunday, so everything should be focusing on building up to that monumental, historic pay-per-view. Why wouldn't WWE put the focus on the women with stars like Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch at the forefront?
Genuinely, that was all I hoped to see this week. Give the women the whole week to shine. I knew though deep down that WWE couldn't do it. Right now, the company is way more focused on Crown Jewel, the event still set to happen in Saudi Arabia where no women can compete.
It would be travesty if WWE went through with another show in Saudi Arabia after recent events. It was already a travesty the first time. Just find somewhere else to host your show. I'd bet most other countries would be glad for the opportunity and most of them aren't looking to kill American residents and discriminate against women.
None of them have money though just like Evolution isn't pulling in enough money to be a genuine focal point of WWE programming for even one week.
Genuinely, that was all I hoped to see this week. Give the women the whole week to shine. I knew though deep down that WWE couldn't do it. Right now, the company is way more focused on Crown Jewel, the event still set to happen in Saudi Arabia where no women can compete.
It would be travesty if WWE went through with another show in Saudi Arabia after recent events. It was already a travesty the first time. Just find somewhere else to host your show. I'd bet most other countries would be glad for the opportunity and most of them aren't looking to kill American residents and discriminate against women.
None of them have money though just like Evolution isn't pulling in enough money to be a genuine focal point of WWE programming for even one week.
How am I going to make fun of you now, Roman? Why you got to get serious like this?
Monday Night Raw October 22, 2018
Wishing for the Best for Roman Reigns
Overview: Roman Reigns opened the show with the announcement that he was once again battling leukemia. He would have to take time away from WWE to deal with this but promised to come back with a purpose once he fought it back into remission.
Analysis: The Big Dog has been an odd character to follow for many years, but there was never any doubt that the man behind the wrestler was passionate about the business and ridiculously talented. It is a true shame that he is going through this, and I hope he can win this fight just as easily as he won most matches in WWE.
It will be weird to go months without Reigns on the program. For all Raw's issues, the brand was held together by its top end talent, and that certainly included Reigns. The red brand just lost one of its most reliable workers and highest regarded talents.
WWE is Moving on Quickly With Huge Turns
Overview: Braun Strowman returned to a face role when he promised to give Reigns a title shot whenever he returned. Elias blasted Baron Corbin with his guitar after being disrespected, also turning face.
Dean Ambrose ended the night, after winning the Raw Tag Team Championship with Seth Rollins, battering his friend. It was a vicious and unrelenting assault that ended with a Dirty Deeds on the exposed concrete.
Analysis: This week's Raw did not pull punches, making massive changes to counteract the loss of Reigns. It looks like Strowman, who will now face Brock Lesnar one on one at Crown Jewel for the Universal Championship, will get the first shot at taking up Reigns' mantle atop the brand.
Elias's turn was totally unexpected but welcome for the potential it brings to his future. However, it was Ambrose's turn that set the tone for the future of Raw. This was an incredible turn, fueled by an emotional crowd on an emotional night. It was WWE at its best, manipulating emotions and paying off major stories.
Lio Rush Has Reached Unreasonably Annoying Levels
Overview: Lio Rush continued to barrage the fans during a Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor match, calling for chants for his man. However, it did not help The Dominator who got rolled up and lost this contest to The Extraordinary Man.
Analysis: I still think Rush is the right manager for Lashley, and I am all for the heel turn. I just need Rush to stop the live mic during matches shtick. It kills any crowd reaction during the match and is just annoying. It brings out the worst elements of The 22-Year-Old Piece of Gold's gimmick.
Conclusion
This Raw was not great from start to finish, but it was one of the most memorable in a long time. Fueled by a gut-wrenching revelation, it was a full reset for the brand. Multiple stars switched allegiances in great segments that pushed the brand forward rather than looking back.
Ambrose's long-time-coming heel turn was particularly special. It was an exploitation of real-world emotion, but this was always going to happen. For it to go down like it did was truly special. It was one of the best segments in WWE all year and may have finally given The Lunatic a chance to show how good he can be again.
While it should have done more for Evolution than it did, that was just the name of the game. This was a Crown Jewel building show with only Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella really adding any more story context for the all-women's pay-per-view.
Overview: Roman Reigns opened the show with the announcement that he was once again battling leukemia. He would have to take time away from WWE to deal with this but promised to come back with a purpose once he fought it back into remission.
Analysis: The Big Dog has been an odd character to follow for many years, but there was never any doubt that the man behind the wrestler was passionate about the business and ridiculously talented. It is a true shame that he is going through this, and I hope he can win this fight just as easily as he won most matches in WWE.
It will be weird to go months without Reigns on the program. For all Raw's issues, the brand was held together by its top end talent, and that certainly included Reigns. The red brand just lost one of its most reliable workers and highest regarded talents.
WWE is Moving on Quickly With Huge Turns
Overview: Braun Strowman returned to a face role when he promised to give Reigns a title shot whenever he returned. Elias blasted Baron Corbin with his guitar after being disrespected, also turning face.
Dean Ambrose ended the night, after winning the Raw Tag Team Championship with Seth Rollins, battering his friend. It was a vicious and unrelenting assault that ended with a Dirty Deeds on the exposed concrete.
Analysis: This week's Raw did not pull punches, making massive changes to counteract the loss of Reigns. It looks like Strowman, who will now face Brock Lesnar one on one at Crown Jewel for the Universal Championship, will get the first shot at taking up Reigns' mantle atop the brand.
Elias's turn was totally unexpected but welcome for the potential it brings to his future. However, it was Ambrose's turn that set the tone for the future of Raw. This was an incredible turn, fueled by an emotional crowd on an emotional night. It was WWE at its best, manipulating emotions and paying off major stories.
Lio Rush Has Reached Unreasonably Annoying Levels
Overview: Lio Rush continued to barrage the fans during a Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor match, calling for chants for his man. However, it did not help The Dominator who got rolled up and lost this contest to The Extraordinary Man.
Analysis: I still think Rush is the right manager for Lashley, and I am all for the heel turn. I just need Rush to stop the live mic during matches shtick. It kills any crowd reaction during the match and is just annoying. It brings out the worst elements of The 22-Year-Old Piece of Gold's gimmick.
Conclusion
This Raw was not great from start to finish, but it was one of the most memorable in a long time. Fueled by a gut-wrenching revelation, it was a full reset for the brand. Multiple stars switched allegiances in great segments that pushed the brand forward rather than looking back.
Ambrose's long-time-coming heel turn was particularly special. It was an exploitation of real-world emotion, but this was always going to happen. For it to go down like it did was truly special. It was one of the best segments in WWE all year and may have finally given The Lunatic a chance to show how good he can be again.
While it should have done more for Evolution than it did, that was just the name of the game. This was a Crown Jewel building show with only Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella really adding any more story context for the all-women's pay-per-view.
Grade: B+
They're destined to do this for ever which is mainly shocking because Jeff Hardy somehow will never have to retire.
SmackDown Live October 23, 2018
SmackDown Has a Hierarchy Problem
Overview: In the main event, Randy Orton battled Jeff Hardy again. While The Charismatic Enigma fought valiantly, The Viper still managed to reverse a Twist of Fate into an RKO to take another win off the veteran.
Analysis: Why is Orton vs. Hardy still a thing and why is it main eventing SmackDown over so many better stories? This wasn't even the best match of the night focused on the World Cup (because The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio was on earlier). It was such an awkward sell for a main event.
SmackDown continues to thrive, but whoever is in charge has no idea what fans are interested in. Why were Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch relegated to (a really good) pretaped segment right before Evolution? Why is Daniel Bryan in the main event less now that he's working with AJ Styles?
A Simple Story is Often the Best Recipe for a Great Match
Overview: Styles and Bryan teamed again to face The Usos. Much like last week, miscommunications managed to sink the talented world championship rivals as Styles accidentally pele kicked Bryan out of the way. This allowed The Usos to hit a superkick into a diving splash for the win.
Analysis: Styles vs. Bryan will be a really good match regardless of the story, but it is good to see some genuine heat building between the two. There's real potential here for the two to add layers to their feud that can seep into their matches.
There's nothing wrong with two faces fighting with respect, but it's rarely as exciting as two competitors getting on each other's nerves until they want to fight whether a title is on the line or not.
WWE Does Not Care About Evolution
Overview: Lynch and Charlotte got into another brawl, this time at the Performance Center with the champ interrupting The Queen's talk to new WWE signees. All the remaining SmackDown women then brawled over who would win the Evolution battle royal with Asuka standing tall after a roundhouse kick to Zelina Vega.
Analysis: It is not hard to book an all-women's PPV. The division is packed with talent especially including NXT and the Mae Young Classic. For some reason, the company has flopped on the execution, and it comes off as a lack of trying. The card isn't bad, but it is about half-filled with genuine PPV matches.
For each big singles match like Flair vs. Lynch, Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane, or Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai, there's a random battle royal for generic six-woman tag we've seen ten times on Raw. Worse yet, the hype is just not there. Neither show this week ended with the women, and what the women got to do was significantly limited.
Conclusion
SmackDown has so much talent that it's hard to have a bad show, but this wasn't a good one. The card layout felt jumbled, and the segments came off a bit lackluster for the talent involved. It was the matches that carried the night with a few real standouts.
Mysterio vs. Miz showed just how good the two can be together. Styles and Bryan vs. The Usos delivered once again. For all the flack I gave it for its placement on the card, Orton vs. Hardy was one of their most fluid contests together to date.
I just wish there was more to get excited about when the brand is on such a roll. The best story on the brand, on the eve of the blowoff match, did not get enough of a spotlight, and that lack of foresight trickled down to the whole rest of the poorly booked but well performed card.
Overview: In the main event, Randy Orton battled Jeff Hardy again. While The Charismatic Enigma fought valiantly, The Viper still managed to reverse a Twist of Fate into an RKO to take another win off the veteran.
Analysis: Why is Orton vs. Hardy still a thing and why is it main eventing SmackDown over so many better stories? This wasn't even the best match of the night focused on the World Cup (because The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio was on earlier). It was such an awkward sell for a main event.
SmackDown continues to thrive, but whoever is in charge has no idea what fans are interested in. Why were Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch relegated to (a really good) pretaped segment right before Evolution? Why is Daniel Bryan in the main event less now that he's working with AJ Styles?
A Simple Story is Often the Best Recipe for a Great Match
Overview: Styles and Bryan teamed again to face The Usos. Much like last week, miscommunications managed to sink the talented world championship rivals as Styles accidentally pele kicked Bryan out of the way. This allowed The Usos to hit a superkick into a diving splash for the win.
Analysis: Styles vs. Bryan will be a really good match regardless of the story, but it is good to see some genuine heat building between the two. There's real potential here for the two to add layers to their feud that can seep into their matches.
There's nothing wrong with two faces fighting with respect, but it's rarely as exciting as two competitors getting on each other's nerves until they want to fight whether a title is on the line or not.
WWE Does Not Care About Evolution
Overview: Lynch and Charlotte got into another brawl, this time at the Performance Center with the champ interrupting The Queen's talk to new WWE signees. All the remaining SmackDown women then brawled over who would win the Evolution battle royal with Asuka standing tall after a roundhouse kick to Zelina Vega.
Analysis: It is not hard to book an all-women's PPV. The division is packed with talent especially including NXT and the Mae Young Classic. For some reason, the company has flopped on the execution, and it comes off as a lack of trying. The card isn't bad, but it is about half-filled with genuine PPV matches.
For each big singles match like Flair vs. Lynch, Shayna Baszler vs. Kairi Sane, or Toni Storm vs. Io Shirai, there's a random battle royal for generic six-woman tag we've seen ten times on Raw. Worse yet, the hype is just not there. Neither show this week ended with the women, and what the women got to do was significantly limited.
Conclusion
SmackDown has so much talent that it's hard to have a bad show, but this wasn't a good one. The card layout felt jumbled, and the segments came off a bit lackluster for the talent involved. It was the matches that carried the night with a few real standouts.
Mysterio vs. Miz showed just how good the two can be together. Styles and Bryan vs. The Usos delivered once again. For all the flack I gave it for its placement on the card, Orton vs. Hardy was one of their most fluid contests together to date.
I just wish there was more to get excited about when the brand is on such a roll. The best story on the brand, on the eve of the blowoff match, did not get enough of a spotlight, and that lack of foresight trickled down to the whole rest of the poorly booked but well performed card.
Grade: C+
Mustafa Ali probably shouldn't have told Hideo Itami backstage he had gotten soft.
205 Live October 24, 2018
205 Live Really Does Wonders for Everyone
Overview: Mike Kanellis took on Lince Dorado in an 11-minute back-and-forth clash. While the luchador pushed the heels to his limit, Maria's husband refused to stay down, getting his foot on the rope after a shooting star press then distracted his opponent by attacking Gran Metalik and Kalisto outside to set up a Cross Rhodes for the win.
Analysis: Kanellis just had his best match in WWE by a mile in his first battle in the cruiserweight division. Granted, this was more Dorado going off than Kanellis taking a huge step forward, but he kept the pacing steady and hit some great comeback offense throughout in a solid clash that proves this brand can save everyone.
Overview: Mike Kanellis took on Lince Dorado in an 11-minute back-and-forth clash. While the luchador pushed the heels to his limit, Maria's husband refused to stay down, getting his foot on the rope after a shooting star press then distracted his opponent by attacking Gran Metalik and Kalisto outside to set up a Cross Rhodes for the win.
Analysis: Kanellis just had his best match in WWE by a mile in his first battle in the cruiserweight division. Granted, this was more Dorado going off than Kanellis taking a huge step forward, but he kept the pacing steady and hit some great comeback offense throughout in a solid clash that proves this brand can save everyone.
NXT and NXT UK October 24, 2018
Johnny Gargano Was Always the Best Option for Aleister Black's Attacker
Overview: William Regal was set to officially announce who would face Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II with the champ, The Velveteen Dream, and Lars Sullivan interrupting. Nikki Cross announced the arrival of Aleister Black who knocked out Sullivan with a Black Mass.
As Black demanded to know where his attacker was, Johnny Gargano knocked out Black with a superkick and announced he was "right here".
Analysis: I predicted and hoped this would be the end game for Black's attacker angle. Gargano needs a fresh angle, and he should be electric working with Black. While a heel run by Gargano should not go too long as he's a more natural face, it will be good for him to get some time to play this role.
The NXT Title scene is now crowded and clearly will be moving to the odd triple threat of Ciampa vs. Dream vs. Sullivan for now, but the biggest angle for the brand just became Black vs. Gargano. WarGames just got really exciting.
NXT UK Drops the Ball on Women's Championship Build
Overview: Despite initial announcements that the UK Women's Championship would be defended at Evolution, in the second week of the tapings, the only women's match on the show was Dakota Kai vs. Killer Kelly with Kai winning with the backstabber destroyer.
Analysis: Most everyone knows who the current UK women's champion is because of just how much coverage the win got when it was initially taped. I won't spoil it for those waiting to see it play out, but there is no reason the title could not have already been won on air by now.
WWE has decided to just play it slow and safe with the NXT UK division, and it is disappointing. Right now, there's not a lot to get excited about on these weekly shows, and the title tournament would have given the brand serious momentum and a spotlight at Evolution.
Overview: William Regal was set to officially announce who would face Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: WarGames II with the champ, The Velveteen Dream, and Lars Sullivan interrupting. Nikki Cross announced the arrival of Aleister Black who knocked out Sullivan with a Black Mass.
As Black demanded to know where his attacker was, Johnny Gargano knocked out Black with a superkick and announced he was "right here".
Analysis: I predicted and hoped this would be the end game for Black's attacker angle. Gargano needs a fresh angle, and he should be electric working with Black. While a heel run by Gargano should not go too long as he's a more natural face, it will be good for him to get some time to play this role.
The NXT Title scene is now crowded and clearly will be moving to the odd triple threat of Ciampa vs. Dream vs. Sullivan for now, but the biggest angle for the brand just became Black vs. Gargano. WarGames just got really exciting.
NXT UK Drops the Ball on Women's Championship Build
Overview: Despite initial announcements that the UK Women's Championship would be defended at Evolution, in the second week of the tapings, the only women's match on the show was Dakota Kai vs. Killer Kelly with Kai winning with the backstabber destroyer.
Analysis: Most everyone knows who the current UK women's champion is because of just how much coverage the win got when it was initially taped. I won't spoil it for those waiting to see it play out, but there is no reason the title could not have already been won on air by now.
WWE has decided to just play it slow and safe with the NXT UK division, and it is disappointing. Right now, there's not a lot to get excited about on these weekly shows, and the title tournament would have given the brand serious momentum and a spotlight at Evolution.
Mae Young Classic Semifinals
Io Shirai, Rhea Ripley, and Toni Storm Make Up an Amazing Next Wave of Women's Wrestlers in WWE
Overview: The semifinals lived up to all the hype with Meiko Satomura and Toni Storm pushed each other to their limit with Storm forced to hit two Storm Zero to win. Ripley dominated Shirai with her power, but the Japanese Superstar would not stay down and managed to connect with the corner knees into the moonsault for the win.
Analysis: With Evolution days away, it is clear that women's wrestling is becoming more important to WWE than ever before. Because of this, it's important the talent level continues to rise. If the future of the division is Shirai, Ripley, and Storm, that's an incredible young group.
Alongside Satomura, these women all delivered in the final week of the Mae Young Classic. Storm vs. Satomura was always going to be incredible, but Ripley really made a statement here with her performance, playing the perfect heel to push Shirai to her limit.
Overview: The semifinals lived up to all the hype with Meiko Satomura and Toni Storm pushed each other to their limit with Storm forced to hit two Storm Zero to win. Ripley dominated Shirai with her power, but the Japanese Superstar would not stay down and managed to connect with the corner knees into the moonsault for the win.
Analysis: With Evolution days away, it is clear that women's wrestling is becoming more important to WWE than ever before. Because of this, it's important the talent level continues to rise. If the future of the division is Shirai, Ripley, and Storm, that's an incredible young group.
Alongside Satomura, these women all delivered in the final week of the Mae Young Classic. Storm vs. Satomura was always going to be incredible, but Ripley really made a statement here with her performance, playing the perfect heel to push Shirai to her limit.
Match of the Week
Falls Count Anywhere: Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami, 205 Live Oct. 24 (Rating: 9.5/10)
The first Ali vs. Itami match was really good, but this was absolutely spectacular. The two got off to an aggressive start and never lost the pacing. The crowd was all in this time around (for as much as a crowd can be for 205 Live) as the two continued to make every move look vicious.
This was a pure striking exhibition with Ali often playing Itami's game. When Ali did go high risk, he made it count. Some of the spot in this match outshined even the craziest moves by the Heart of 205 Live against Buddy Murphy.
Even though there were moments in this match that felt a bit too rehearsed, the overall package was some of the most engaging and vicious wrestling I've seen all year. The ending alone with Ali getting his definitive victory with an 054 to the outside through a table made this special.
Honorable Mention: Toni Storm vs. Meiko Satomura, Mae Young Classic Semifinal (Rating: 9/10)
The second Mae Young Classic continues to deliver at a higher level than its predecessor, primarily carried by an incredible run from Meiko Satomura. This wasn't as cohesive as the battle with Mercedes Martinez, but it had a higher ceiling with an incredible homestretch of nearfalls.
It is expected at this point that the women are allowed to get a bit more creative late with so much on the line. From a slow-building technical start to a frantic finish with both kicking out of their opponent's finisher, everyone was behind this down the stretch.
While this was a fight of two babyfaces, it was clear that the true babyface in this match was Satomura. She was the veteran on her last run, trying to get that final accolade. It was easy to get behind her when she Hulked up late in the contest. It was heartbreaking when she lost.
Honorable Mention: Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, Monday Night Raw Oct. 22 (Rating: 9/10)
Their first title match together may have been longer and had a better ending, but this was still an excellent tag team match. These two teams are just electric together, and they make every moment count. From McIntyre's feats of absurd strength to the unreal speed of Rollins when he's rolling, this was some of the best in WWE at their best.
Add in an emotional crowd that was completely invested in the action and you have a near-classic. Strowman's interference late did take away from the final moments of the contest, but you could also add the post-match turn by Ambrose to this to give a further bump up.
This was a rematch worked as a tribute to Reigns on his way out that almost outshined one of the top three matches of 2018 by the main roster. For that, it deserves the highest praise.
The first Ali vs. Itami match was really good, but this was absolutely spectacular. The two got off to an aggressive start and never lost the pacing. The crowd was all in this time around (for as much as a crowd can be for 205 Live) as the two continued to make every move look vicious.
This was a pure striking exhibition with Ali often playing Itami's game. When Ali did go high risk, he made it count. Some of the spot in this match outshined even the craziest moves by the Heart of 205 Live against Buddy Murphy.
Even though there were moments in this match that felt a bit too rehearsed, the overall package was some of the most engaging and vicious wrestling I've seen all year. The ending alone with Ali getting his definitive victory with an 054 to the outside through a table made this special.
Honorable Mention: Toni Storm vs. Meiko Satomura, Mae Young Classic Semifinal (Rating: 9/10)
The second Mae Young Classic continues to deliver at a higher level than its predecessor, primarily carried by an incredible run from Meiko Satomura. This wasn't as cohesive as the battle with Mercedes Martinez, but it had a higher ceiling with an incredible homestretch of nearfalls.
It is expected at this point that the women are allowed to get a bit more creative late with so much on the line. From a slow-building technical start to a frantic finish with both kicking out of their opponent's finisher, everyone was behind this down the stretch.
While this was a fight of two babyfaces, it was clear that the true babyface in this match was Satomura. She was the veteran on her last run, trying to get that final accolade. It was easy to get behind her when she Hulked up late in the contest. It was heartbreaking when she lost.
Honorable Mention: Raw Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre vs. Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, Monday Night Raw Oct. 22 (Rating: 9/10)
Their first title match together may have been longer and had a better ending, but this was still an excellent tag team match. These two teams are just electric together, and they make every moment count. From McIntyre's feats of absurd strength to the unreal speed of Rollins when he's rolling, this was some of the best in WWE at their best.
Add in an emotional crowd that was completely invested in the action and you have a near-classic. Strowman's interference late did take away from the final moments of the contest, but you could also add the post-match turn by Ambrose to this to give a further bump up.
This was a rematch worked as a tribute to Reigns on his way out that almost outshined one of the top three matches of 2018 by the main roster. For that, it deserves the highest praise.
