Classy move by the WWE in honoring one of the all time greats Big Van Vader, Leon Allen White at the top of the show.
Quite frankly, I thought the Roman Reigns promo to kick off the show was solid. I always say less is more with him on the mic, but this was perfect. Aside from the fact that I cracked up every time he called Lashley, “Bob”, Reigns had some really good points. Aside from beating Zayn, what had Lashley done lately? He then bashed Lashley for his MMA career and leaving the WWE.
Meanwhile, the always brilliant Paul Heyman has been stirring up things on social media with the whole Brock Lesnar situation. Apparently, the multi-man number one contender’s match for the Universal Title (that red one we see from time to time) at Extreme Rules has been scrapped because of Lesnar’s “contractual snag.” A.k.a his unwillingness to compete. (Again) Either WWE has really dropped the ball with this Universal Title thing or we’re being swerved here. They might not even know at this point.
Roman calls out Brock yet again. But Lashley calls out Roman, and says the people are tired of him. “Brock would come back if he had a real challenge like the person standing right before you”, Lashley states. The Revival come out to challenge the two heavyweights for our first match of the night.
Roman Reigns & Bobby Lashley vs. The Revival
While arguing throughout the match, Lashley and Reigns don’t dominate as much as I had anticipated. Perhaps too much time had gone by until Lashley got the hot tag and decimated his opponents. Reigns shortly thereafter tags himself in to the dismay of “Bob” and Lashley tries to return the favor. The miscue allows the Revival to capitalize with a pin (handful of tights) on Reigns! HUGE WIN for the revival. I’m usually a fan of the unexpected, so I like it. The Revival have been buried for a while and this should be a solid feud between “Bob” and Reigns. The outcome here was a perfect setup for all four men.
Winners: The Revival
It’s pretty epic when the commercials are on point too. First we have a Rusev Day inspired Snickers Commercial and now Rey-Rey gets the video game exclusive content feature? I have to say I loved the WWE Superstars wearing the legendary mask and honoring the master of the 619. I think it’s safe to say Rey Mysterio will be back soon, and that’s fine by me.
I digress….
Just ask Matt Hardy, but the B-Team’s impression of the Deleters of Worlds last week was absolutely, “Wonderful!” It really was. The Raw tag team champions respond to Axel and Dallas before hitting the ring, as Hardy is set to face Axel. Of course the B-Team pick up where they left off with their parody of the champs. This is comedy gold and Bo’s flashlight lantern gets me every time. Hilarious.
“Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Curtis Axel
This was a SUPER quick match on a missed superplex attempt by Hardy. Axel lands on top of Hardy for the win in another fluke-like fashion. I’m cool with it. I thought this was a missed spot at first, but again I was wrong. In true “Woken” fashion, the Deleters of Worlds let us know that this was also “Wonderful”. This should be a good match at Extreme Rules, but I have a feeling Ziggler and McIntyre will be running the tag team division soon.
Winner: Curtis Axel
A.O.P vs. The Gibson Bros
I may have to retract that last statement. Is that the Authors of Pain I see? They’ve been MIA, but now they are back and beating up the crew backstage. We also get a nice AOP video package that reintroduces them back into the mix. Unfortunately for the Gibson Bros, AOP is back and ready to squash them. Another quick match here and looks like they’ll be feuding with Titus Worldwide next.
Winners: A.O.P
For those of you who don’t remember, Alexa Bliss actually did accurately predict herself and Braun (Team Little-Big) winning the MITB matches. After being decimated by Rousey last week, Little Miss Bliss (w/ Mickie James) gloats about Ronda’s suspension and Nia’s injury. I have no idea what to make of Rousey’s “suspension”, but it looks like it’s going to be Jax vs. Bliss again for the title. I’m a fan of Bliss, but I don’t think there’s any reason to re-hash this feud. Bliss channels her inner Regina George and picks on Nia, Total Divas, and Nattie. However, Nattie suprises the live crowd by bringing Nia down to the ring.
Natalya vs. Alexis Bliss
The women really have been stealing the show as of late, and tonight was no exception. Lots of back and forth between the two competitors, and a lot of technical wrestling in this one.
I would love to see Natalya get a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship with a win over the champ here, and to my surprise it looks like that may actually be in the cards. With some outside interference, I am again absolutely shocked to see Alexa tapping out to Natalya. Let’s make this Raw Women’s Championship match a Triple Threat.
Winner: Natalya
Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Ember Moon vs. The Riot Squad
I don’t know how much longer they can stretch out the build to Bayley vs. Sasha, but I guess we’ll find out. Regardless, great tandem offense in this match-up as all six women impressed. Ember impressed with a lower rope suicide dive, and Liv Morgan hit an amazing hurricanrana on the outside. This was a surprisingly short match though as Riot is able to roll up Banks for the win.
Winners: The Riot Squad
Out of nowhere, Bayley jumps in the ring and absolutely unloads on Sasha Banks! The crowd goes absolutely insane! Bayley delivers punches, stomps mud holes, and straight up throws Sasha onto the outside floor. She doesn’t stop there. Bayley throws Sasha into the ring steps and screams in her face while the crowd chants, “Bayley!” Is this the Bayley heel turn we’ve been waiting for? Bayley is right up there with the few guys that are always good guys in WWE, so this certainly intrigues me. I think it is an absolute home-run for the character.
No Way Jose vs. Mojo Rawley (No Contest)
This is not a knock on either competitor but I don’t currently see the direction for either. I’m not particularly fan of the Mojo heel turn. Mojo gets a cheap shot in on Jose but the only one getting chants here is Todd the Cheeseburger…..
Elsewhere, GM Kurt confronts Bayley and says next week she is going to counseling? Perhaps we will see a return of Dr. Shelby? I think this Bayley angle is good as is. I say skip this segment all together, but I’ll try to remain open minded.
Braun Strowman & Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor & Constable Corbin
Here’s a classic odd couple vs. odd couple match. Anything Braun does right now is gold, so I’m game. My first thought is does Constable Corbin have to wear the suit pants and dress shirt to the ring every week? Very Corporate Kane of him. As for K.O., his dynamic with Braun is amazing, not to mention downright hilarious. The tandem offense from the Monster Among Men and Owens was really fun. Like I said anything Braun does is gold right now, and the same can usually be said for Owens. (Barring that Face of America thing) No surprise here as Braun dominates with the crowd in the palm of his hand. While K.O. and Strowman are gaining the upper hand, Finn and Corbin come to blows resulting in a count out victory for their opponents. Owens is amped but eventually runs out of the ring in fear of his partner after a failed handshake attempt.
Winners (Via Count Out) Braun Strowman & Kevin Owens
Strowman persues him backstage but K.O. runs out to his car. Of course by now Strowman has flipped Owens car and walks off laughing. This is good fun for now, but I think Strowman’s time to be the Universal Champion is fast approaching.
Intercontinental Championship Match: Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler
It’s appropriate that his catch-phrase is “Burn it Down” because Seth Rollins has been on fire as of late. All of his recent matches have been fantastic. This IC title rematch delivered with some solid mat-wrestling, reversals, and high risk spots. This included a nice suicide dive from Rollins on both Dolph and McIntyre. As expected, lots of outside interference from McIntyre who seems to be destined to feud with Rollins. After McIntyre’s ejection, Ziggler hit a huge DDT on the apron nearly getting Rollins counted out. Rollins takes it to his opponent by nearly scoring the pinfall several times after a rip-cord knee, buckle-bomb, super kick, and frog splash. Ziggler then scores a near pinfall after hitting an off the ring post Zig-Zag. Rollins kicks out and capitalizes with a superplex, falcon-arrow combo for what should have been the 1,2, 3. Sure enough, as I had inticipated McIntyre interrupts the match for the DQ as he pulls the ref out of the ring.
Winner by DQ: Seth Rollins
The post match beat down on Rollins continues until the Big Dog, Reigns comes to the ring and nearly cuts Ziggler in half with an insane spear. (I was honestly hoping it would be Ambrose) It’s fun to see Drew and Roman square off for a second. I’m interested to see where all this leads with the IC title in the mix among some great potential tag teams.
Pretty solid showing by the red brand all around tonight, as there were a few surprises. With Lesnar again not competing, and Ronda “suspended” I think they are being wise in leaving a lot of doors open. Could Natalya compete for the Raw Women’s Title as well? Is Roman feuding with Lashley or McIntyre? We’re finally starting to get some fresh match-ups on Raw, and I’m on board. Now let’s figure out what’s going on with this Universal Title before next week. And let’s get it to the guys that are there week in and week out. It’s time.
8.5 out of 10
-Rob Crowther IV
