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Love him or hate him, the big dog has definitely earned that Universal Title. Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring to meet with the Monster in the Bank who wants a one on one title match with Roman. (No Shield Involvement) Roman says the SHIELD is a brotherhood, and that Braun has never been to the top of the mountain. He taunts Braun to cash in , but The Monster among Men says they are going to war in a HELL in CELL match on September 16th. A handshake seals the deal. Sign me up!
Ziggler and McIntyre make their way to the ring, run their mouths, and challenge the two superstars in the ring. Constable Corbin makes his debut as acting GM of Monday Night Raw. He approves the Hell in a Cell match and also the proposed match. But he's not done. After tooting his own horn, Corbin announces he will be facing Finn Balor the man. We'll see how Corbin does as acting GM. I'm sure he will be annoying. In any case, I really hope to see Kurt Angle back for lots of in ring action soon. I know that he's been itching to get back to being an in ring competitor.
Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
My biggest issue with RAW lately is the constant re-matches. We’ve seen this one a few times now. Let’s start to give Balor some long-awaited momentum for a title reign. It’s time. Anyway, Corbin dominates early and often. Balor mounts a comeback with clotheslines, slingblades and strikes. I did like the running corner dropkick by Finn reversed into a Deep 6 by Corbin. I actually love that move. Balor rallys with a flip to the outside. Corbin grabs a chair and hits Finn with it for the DQ.
Corbin re-starts the match as a no DQ match and delivers another chair shot on Finn. I told you he was going to be annoying. An End of Days seals it.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Next up is a cool video of WWE alumni reacting to HHH vs. Undertaker match at the Super Showdown in Australia. Cool video and great to see everyone’s reaction, but I really loved the way the whole HHH, Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels thing ended originally. No need to rehash this rivalry. Well, unless you’re trying to sell tickets. Regardless,I’m sure the match will be great. Plus we get HBK next week on RAW.
Stoked to see Dana Brooke ready for some in ring action. I really dig the Clark Kent (Kara Danvers) / Superman/Supergirl thing they are somewhat doing with her. Dana has a task ahead of her as her opponent is Sasha Banks.
Sasha Banks w/ Bayley vs. Dana Brooke w/ Titus Worldwide
Banks goes for the Bank Statement early, but Brooke quickly escapes. Glad Dana Brooke gets to showcase all of her moves and flips as she takes control early. Really great match but way too short as Dana taps to the Bank Statement after very little offense.
Winner: Sasha Banks via Submission
Although the Jinder-ella story has come to an end, the modern day Maharajah has found calm with his new breathing technique. As he tries to teach Dean Ambrose, Ambrose makes it clear that Jinder get out of his face. We’ll see where this goes.
Can we talk about Seth’s Thanos gear with the Infinity Gaunlet on the curb stomp boot? I feel like a lot of people missed this at Summerslam, but it’s friggin’ brilliant. Actually I don’t see the gauntlet boot tonight, but I digress. Seth Rollins says it’s open challenge time and I’m ok with it!
Seth Rollins (IC Champ) vs. Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens answers the challenge and this has the potential to be match of the night right here. Owens says that he is not leaving this arena without a title, and taunts his fellow Canadians in French. Lots of back and forth early as the match is a straight up brawl. Both of these guys have such extensive move-sets, the fans are going to be the real winners in this one. Owens works the arm for a bit, but later misses a cannonball on the outside. Rollins favors the shoulder as he mounts his comeback. The Architect hits not one, not two, but THREE suicide dives to the outside. Very impressive. Right now this guy is consistently putting on the best matches in WWE. Owens avoids a curb-stomp and continues to target the shoulder. Out of nowhere, Owens hits a Stunner! That was awesome! It’s not enough to put Rollins away. Seth hits a buckle-bomb but Owens quickly hits a super kick for the near pinfall. KO misses a moonsault and Seth hits the curb-stomp for the win. What a match! Told ya!
Winner: Seth Rollins (retains)
After the commercial, Owens is still in the ring sulking. I think he’s reached his breaking point after a tough summer. He pics up the mic and says,”I Quit.” Mic Drop. Wow! Very consistent with the character, but didn’t expect that. Good job RAW.
B-Team vs. The Revival
I thought for sure the Revival would have the titles by now, but what do I know? Glad Axel and Bo are getting their due, but they are REALLY silly. Solid match by both teams. The B-Team finally lose as the Revival get a big win over the Tag champs. Also, there’s a post match Shatter Machine for Bo Dallas. The Revival
Winners: The Revival
The Revival state that the tag team division is a joke. They want to embrace the history of the tag team championships. Okay, cool.
Who’s ready to walk with Elias? We actually get a little acoustic jam before he lays into the Toronto crowd. “You know when fellow musician Drake said he started from the bottom, he was literally talking about here.” Wow. But wait….
BOOM! Trish Stratus’s music hits! TRISH STRATUS IS HERE and I for one am completely Stratisf-ied. She is here to defend the hometown crowd and gives him a taste of his own medicine. Elias retaliates by saying Toronto will never see a Stanley Cup. Without missing a beat Stratus says, “Kind of like you winning a WWE Championship.” GOT ‘EM!! Trish promotes her match with Alexis Bliss as Elias completely dismisses the progress these women have made. He tells Trish she wants to, “Walk with Elias” but he doesn’t, “Date women in their 60s.” Trish slaps him, and Rowdy Ronda Rousey makes her way to the ring joined by Natalya! Was hoping they’d beat the heck out of Elias, but no such luck.
I still don’t get the Bliss/Fox pairing but the burns are aplenty this episode as Bliss rips into the other ladies and Canada. Bliss announces her championship rematch for the Hell in a Cell again Ronda Rousey.
Natalya w/ Trish & Rousey vs. Alicia Foxx w/ Alexa Bliss
Alicia Fox is crazy! Also, this match is over before it starts as Natalya locks in the sharpshooter for the W. Natalya points to the sky after the win.
Winner: Natalya via Submission
The Bellas are backstage yet again. We find out that they will also be returning to the RAW roster next week. Nice job Corbin. Selfie time.
Meanwhile Corbin sets up Bobby Lashley for a match against both members of the Ascension. I see where this is going….
Lashley vs. The Ascension
Lashley impresses and overcomes the numbers game for the 1, 2, 3.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Dean Ambrose vs. Jinder Mahal
For the most part, I think everyone is glad to see the SHIELD reunion. I just dig the fact that they are still doing their own thing as individuals. Lots of back and forth between the competitors in this one, but Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds fairly quickly for the win.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Looks like we got a great show set up for next week as the Revival get another tag title shot. Put them down as my pick to win the belts. Also, the Bellas will be taking on the Riot Squad. Also, let’s not forget the return of HBK.
Roman Reigns & Braun Strowman vs. McIntyre and Ziggler
Roman gets overpowered by the frequently tagging Drew and Dolph. The story of this match is Roman trying to make the tag. A superman punch saves the day for Reigns. Strowman is tagged in, but never comes to into the ring. Strowman watches as Ziggler and Drew stomp away on Roman. The ref stops the match on account of the DQ.
Winners via DQ: Reigns and Strowman
Strowman throws Reigns to the mat and allows Macintyre to lay into him. Ambrose attempts to rescue his brother in arms but is outnumbered by the other three. Next, the Kingslayer runs to the ring but is greeted with a running powerslam from Strowman. It’s clear Braun was NOT happy about last week’s SHIELD reunion. This was a set up. Strowman played the long game. Reigns gets his powerslam next and Strowman raises the hands of Ziggler and Macintyre. Wow. This is great storytelling and it all checks out. All of a sudden Strowman is a bad guy. I don’t like the heel turn (as it seems to be for now) as I’ve said in the best everything this guy has been doing is gold. However, I did not see this coming and Strowman evened the odds. I really am okay with it.
Monday Night RAW has finally started to come up with some fresh story lines. This episode shocked me a few times with some returns, great matches, and a fantastic ending. Additionally, they utilized most of their roster across eight matches. If Raw keeps this up things could get very exciting in the next few months.
8.5 out of 10
