Just curious. Does anyone care about “The WWE Universal Championship” these days? I mean, interesting to see who they throw in front of Brock Lesnar but the title is pretty much a dead item at this point.
Well, for each step in a new direction. We seem to fall somewhat backwards. Show kicks off with Braun Strowman promising chaos and destruction when Brock Lesnar “gets these hands.” Of course, the guy no one wants to see, therefore WWE makes a point to keep him on TV, Bacon Rorbin taunts Strowman. I’ll just fast forward to Strowman chasing Corbin, Elias singing a song to his whereabouts, and Strowman destroys a limo… Vince McMahon’s limo. OOPS. He’s fine $100K, but then argues, which prompts Vince McMahon to toss him from the title match at the Royal Rumble.
Guess Strowman isn’t cleared to wrestle.
Instead, he flips over the limo.
Guess Strowman isn’t cleared to wrestle.
Continuing the trend of opponents tagging, Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks defeat Nia Jax and Tamina when Banks forces Tamina to tap out. Yay. Post-match interview breaks down with Banks and Rousey arguing. This was horrible. Dr. Horrible would think this is too horribly horrible, even for him. Yay women’s evolution, boo really bad mic skills.
Tamina never speaks, does she? Just jobber fodder?
Backstage, Bayley and Natalya go from keeping the peace into arguing which results in a match with Riott Squad.
Another match between The Revival vs. Lucha House Party, thankfully this time Dash & Dawson get the win. What bothered me, they cut away to a line of mid-carders on line by Vince’s office to get their shot to face Brock for the title at Royal Rumble. Although we do get a glimpse of EC3… But Curt Hawkins man, he’s the pick. It’s time.
Anyone else think it’s weird the RAW Tag Champions are Bobby Roode and Chad Gable… Who also wears a Glorious Robe now? Feels like the gimmick is a bit diminished.
Jerry Lawler walked out of Vince’s office though.
In the ring, Vince McMahon wants to address the opening to challenge for the Universal Championship. Suddenly, a wild John Cena appears! Vince asks what makes him think he qualifies?
“Ruthless Aggression!”
Yep! It’s 2003 all over again! This display of history is interrupted by Drew McIntyre, a guy once chosen by Vince as the future. Well, it took a while, but here he is. Bacon Rorbin reappears and by virture of wearing clothes from Vince’s closet, he’s in. The last man out is Finn Balor. He wants to be part of the conversation, but Vince shoots him down, saying he wouldn’t last two minutes with these “big guys.” Well, certainly an accurate self-portrayal. Finn goes pseudo-kayfabe-breaker about how Vince hates the small guys and it’s the fans who appreciate him. Drew cleans house as the segment closes.
Backstage: Jinder Mahal, former WWE Champion (I can’t believe this is real), approaches Vince for an opportunity to challenge Brock. So, he faces Balor, and the winner goes onto the main event.
Bayley, Natalya, and Nikki Cross defeat The Riott Squadd – Nice surprise to see Cross on RAW, and boy was she the highlight reel. Michael Cole says she, along with the other callups from NXT are “free agents” and will appear on both shows until they are drafted to a roster.
Backstage: Dean Ambrose is unhappy about defending the Intercontinental Championship against Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat.
Finn Balor defeats Jinder Mahal. Thank Shanti for that. They do the ol’ hero gets beat up before the bell rings and then overcomes the odds to win. Remember, Mahal is a former WWE Champion, so he’s got that notch on his belt. Not enough, as Balor rightfully goes onto the main event tonight.
Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley: From the start, Corey Graves goes after Renee Young about her husband, Ambrose. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a bigger angle. I don’t want to see a match between Graves and Young. In any case, really good match which initially saw all three go after one another, but then the heels pair up against Rollins before turning on each other. A brief 2/3rds Shield moment where Ambrose and Rollins go to town on Lashley, clobbering him with steel stairs. Rollins gets splattered with a huge spinebuster by “The Almighty” during the match. Big Ouch. Lio Rush gets involved a few times, and is the reason for the match conclusion. Rollins ready to strike, Rush pulls the ropes and Rollins falls to the floor, allowing Lashley to hit a sloppy spear on Ambrose, and gets the pinfall victory, and wins the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner and New Champion: Bobby Lashley
Just in case you thought we were still doing the whole no more “Diva” moments shenanigans, an intern carrying a latte walks into Alexa’s dressing room and she’s not dressed.
Sigh.
Moment of Bliss featuring Paul Heyman: Okay, decent interview, she first reveals the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. These will be awarded to the surviving team at Elimination Chamber. Love the Rabbi, but let’s talk about the real star… OTIS DOZOVIC. He creeps out like a gremlin, babbling incoherently, except two real clear words… “Pretty Lady.” Oh boy. Hopefully WWE doesn’t degrade him into a character like Eugene, but he’s got the charisma to have a decent career.
RAW Main Event: FINN BALOR defeats John Cena, Baron Corbin, and Drew McIntrye
Yep, they pulled the trigger and will feed Balor to Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Pretty good main event match. Balor ate a ton of signature moves and a top rope AA. Corbin introduced a chair, but still, I don’t think anyone believed he would win. The finish came when after consecutive finishers, Balor landed the Coup de Grace on Cena for the pinfall victory. Post match, Cena on the mic gave the nod to Balor.
Good show, but overall RAW needs a lot of work.
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