Monday Night RAW in Chicago: Pushing Brock & Seth, Introducing Mr. Rousey & Angle’s Final Opponent Announced

Does anyone else think that Brock kicks off the show, just so he can be the first one out the door? The Universal Title has been out of sight and out of mind for a long time now. It becomes more and more irrelevant as the weeks go by. The Chicago crowd does a great job of letting him know it as they loudly boo when he holds the title up to taunt them. Heyman does his Heyman thing, but is interrupted by McIntyre. Drew brags about how he took out Roman and Dean last week, but is met by several steel chairshots from Rollins. Rollins charges the ring, chair in hand and Brock retreats.

Lashley/Rush vs. Balor/ Strowman

Finn announces Strowman as his surprise partner and we are underway. Finn starts out the match again Lashley and takes a beating early.

Strowman gets the hot tag and absolutely destroys the much smaller Lio Rush, throwing him around the ring like a rag doll. Rush spends half of this match 9 feet above the ring as he is tossed by Strowman. Lashley spears Braun mid powerslam to save the match but ultimately retreats as Strowman dominates.. Braun hits the running powerslam on Rush for the win.

Winner: Braun Strowman / Finn Balor

We find out the Ronda has been fined by WWE for her unprofessional actions as we see her backstage with hubby, Travis Browne. Management has increased security due to her recent actions.

It’s time for your moment of Bliss! The hostess with the most-ess, Tonight’s guest is Elias who has yet to have a match for Wrestlemania. Elias announces that he will be the headlining musical act at Wrestlemania. (And here I was hoping we would see Joan Jett for Ronda’s Entrance) Elias takes a jab at the Chicago crowd in saying, “If my performance at Wrestlemania was a game winning field goal, I’d make it every single time.” He says if anyone interrupts him at Wrestlemania then they…… Wait! It’s a conga line lead by Otis of Heavy Machinery! It’s a distraction as No Way Jose gets the jump on Elias.

Elias vs. No Way Jose

No way Jose hangs with Elias for a bit but ultimately drifts away like many before him.

Winner: Elias

The Chicago crowd does right by Kurt Angle as he gets the “Thank you Kurt ” chants. Angle announces that he will be facing Baron Corbin at Wrestlemania. I don’t love it and the crowd doesn’t ever. My feeling is that Kurt may be putting #Baconrorbin over on the grandest stage of them all.

The good news however, is that we get to see Chad Gable vs. Kurt Angle tonight! I’m excited for this one and good to see that ready, willing, and gable towel back. I take it we have seen the last of Roode & Gable for a while. (Although I was really waiting for Roode to lay out Gable and go full out heel)

Chad Gable vs. Kurt Angle

Great show of respect by Gable before the two lock up. The two hit a few early moves and the crowd already gets the “This is awesome” chants going. As expected lot of mat wrestling and reversals early. Gable works the arm of Angle and the two go back and forth at a slow methodical pace. Gable takes control and begins to work the leg of Angle. Angle reverses a sunset flip into an Ankle lock, but Gable counters. Gable hits the Ankle Lock on Kurt, but Angle reverses. Gable goes high risk and misses a moonsault. Angle picks up the pieces and locks in the Ankle lock again. Gable has no choice but to tap.

Winner by submission: Kurt Angle

Post match Angle shows Gable respect but is interrupted by Corbin. Corbin provokes Angle, and let me just say he better be wearing legit wrestling gear when he comes to NYC. I could be wrong, but I believe the crowd was chanting “We Want Cena” and I agree. Cena vs. Angle would be great for Mania.

Can we talk about that Becky Lynch Head and Shoulders commercial for a second? The Man getting those endorsements, and I’m about it. I actually loved the ad.

Next up, IT”S BOSS TIME! The Boss & Hug Connection are asked by Charly Caruso why they haven’t appeared on Smackdown Live yet with the Women’s Tag Team Titles. The ladies announce that they will be on Smackdown Live this week! I love it, and I absolutely love this concept of defending the titles on all of the brands. They are interrupted by Nattie and the seemingly fully returned Beth Phoenix. Phoenix says that Nia and Tamina “awoke the dragon.” Beth Phoenix says that there is just one thing missing from her career and challenges the Boss & Hug connection to a match for the titles at Wrestlemania. Things quickly go from respectful to ugly as Sasha throws down with Natalya as emotions run high.

Natalya vs. Sasha Banks

The match goes for a solid two minutes before they are interrupted by Nia Jax with a microphone. (Not my favorite combination) Nia gets the distraction as Tamina jumps everyone outside of the ring. Long story short, I think we’re looking at a multi-women tag team match at Wrestlemania. I’m all for it and I hope to see some NXT and SDLIVe ladies involved as well.

Backstage, Mojo Rawley is doing his best Ed Nigma (Gotham) impression after having a breakdown in front of mirror. Interested to see where this goes.

Now it’s time for the main reason, I watch RAW every week: Ricochet (and Aleister Black) These guys have been faves for years now, and this team up (although who knows why they were paired up) is an absolute dream team. They always bring it. However it looks like Ricochet will be competing in singles action against Jinder Mahal, and I’m more than okay with it.

Ricochet vs. Jinder Mahal

This match is fast paced and all Ricochet offense until the Singh bros interfere. Jinder then wears down Ricochet with the world’s longest headlock. I think it’s great that the announce team say it will be an upset if the former WWE Champion beats the newcomer Ricochet. (I’m not saying I disagree, I’m just saying it’s great that they said that) Everyone is trying to hinder the Jinder! Ricochet rallies and hits a back moonsault over the top rope backwards plancha that is absolutely insane. If you look at the clock it must be 630 because Ricochet is hitting his finisher for the win.

Winner: Ricochet

This year’s Warrior Award goes to Senior Director of Talent relations, Sue Aitchison who’s work with Make a Wish has been absolutely amazing. One of my favorite things about WWE is their work with Make A Wish.

Ronda makes her way to the ring and this is absolutely how she should be. Stern look on her face and no chit chat. No promos, just a fight. And I’m excited to see Dana Brooke get a shot. As she says,”I may not be better than Ronda Rousey, but all I have to do is be better than her for for three seconds.”

Dana Brooke vs. Ronda Rousey For the RAW Women’s Tittle

This is exactly what I feared. A few strikes and an arm bar for the win. Probably less than a 15 second match. I thought Dana would at least hit her back handspring signatures.

Winner by Submission Ronda Rousey

Ronda holds the arm bar in post match for good measure and then pushes a ref. She then goes to kiss her hubby at ringside. This is really good storytelling and heat for her. She’s not done there as she and her husband lay out a few security guards. Let’s just say she her entrance song couldn’t be any more fitting.

Apollo Crews vs. Baron Corbin

Apollo impresses with his agility early until Corbin hits a straight right hand on a springboarding Crews. Corbin than picks apart his opponent until Apollo reverses out of a chokeslam with an impressive backflip. Very innovative. The former eventually hits the Deep 6 and toys with his opponent. Out of nowhere, Crews reverses the End of Days with another backflip (wow) into a roll up and pins Corbin! Loved all the reversals and the ending!

Winner: Apollo Crews

Live via Satellite, it’s Dave Batista for an interview. Cole is trying to get answers about Dave’s motives. Long story short, Batista says HHH surrounds himself with protection and muscle. He says The Game talked down to him and underestimated him. He blames HHH for him leaving the company.. Batista says he’s finally in control and that The cerebral assassin has got us all fooled. The Animal vows to end HHH’s in ring career. Doubtful.

I’m all about Colin Jost and Michael Che being involved with Wrestlemania, as I’m a huge fan of both of them. I was however worried about what this would mean for Strowman’s path to Wrestlemania. It looks like he’s going to be a participant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and I don’t love it. The guy deserves better. I’ve said this many times but they slept on him when he was hot week in and week out. The guy deserves some sort of title opportunity or a major (non – comedic) story line for the big show. Little Miss Bliss says she’ll take care of everything with Che and Joust by next week. Hmmm…

Drew McIntyre making it personal when he tells Roman, “You may have not beat Leukemia, but on the grandest stage of them all, you won’t beat me” Only in the WWE, folks…

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

Dig the Rollins Chicago Bears attire, but there’s no time to enjoy the entrances as the match becomes a brawl on the ramp. These two always deliver, but we’ve seen this match a few times already. That’s been the problem with RAW in the past and also why the boss called up the top tier NXT guys. McIntyre slows Rollins’ quick pace early. Seth almost hits a suicide dive, but it caught by the Scottish Psychopath. Drew goes for the steel chair, but Rollins hits a super kick. Rollins gets a second wind and hits the suicide dive this time. Drew rallies and hits an Alabama Slam-esque type maneuver on the architect. Rollins kicks out , but is weary. After a falcon arrow, Seth looks for the curb stomp, but is interrupted by Lesnar! I guess he didn’t leave for the night. The distraction allows McIntyre to pick up a huge win with the Claymore Kick. As Graves puts it, he got all the three members of the shield in three weeks.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

Very surprised to see no Reigns this episode. Nothing too crazy on tonight’s episode. A lot of interruptions (over and over again) and way too many replays. Let’s hope things pick up on RAW on the Road to Wrestlemania. As for the other brand, I’m calling it now. Tonight’s Smackdown Live Gauntlet match is going to be insane!