Monday Night Rollins (aka Monday Night RAW in Knoxville) opens the show with a recap of last night’s Clash of Champions event complete with a Titan-tron power point presentation. (Isn’t that Gulak’s schtick?) Rollins shows his former opponent Braun Strowman some respect before addressing last night’s attack by the Fiend. The architect officially announces that he will be facing The Fiend in a Hell in a Cell match.
Without missing a beat, Bray Wyatt interrupts Rollins with a more interactive version of The Firefly Flyhouse. He addresses Seth directly and states, “Friends forgive, but he … he never forgets.” Wyatt also casually mentions that The Fiend may make another appearance tonight.
As suspected they’re going for it, and I’m okay with it. The Fiend is arguably the most intriguing character in wrestling today not to mention the exclusive pre-order bonus for the upcoming WWE2k20 game. I’m not sure I see Bray taking the L at Hell in a Cell either.
As the commentary team gives us a run down of tonight’s show all of the match graphics are blatantly upside down. Not sure if this is a production error or a BRILLIANT Bray move. To be continued I suppose. (Or someone just dropped the ball).
Next up, our newly crowned RAW Tag Team Champions I’ll affectionately dub “Cheer-Money” (thanks Internet) join the NEW Smackdown Tag Team Champions, The Revival in the ring. I absolutely love the straps on Ziggs/Roode who have been somewhat underutilized in recent months. Also, an interesting tidbit on The Revival, but I believe they are the first ever team to hold the NXT, RAW, AND Smackdown Tag Team Championships.
As Roode begins to gloat, an angry Strowman makes sure all four tag champs get those hands. Just call him Alice from the Brady Bunch, because he just cleaned house. My fear though, is where they go from here with the big man. They’ve slept on him before.
Regardless, our first match of the night is a loaded six man tag featuring The OC v. The Viking (War) Raiders & Cedric Alexander. Why Cedric vs. Styles was only a five minute Kick-off match at Clash of Champions is beyond me, but I digress. Expectations are high for this one.
Cedric gets the jump on Styles with a flurry of strikes and high flying offense. The Viking Raiders follow suit and continue to dominate the OC with frequent tags and tandem offense. The OC rallies fora few minutes, but Ivar (Hanson) flies all over the ring to regain control. Cedric tags in and absolutely dominates, but doesn’t catch a blind tag from Styles. Styles hits a blind side phenomenal forearm for the win, but a brawl ensues post match.
Ivar jumps off the top turnbuckle in impressive fashion to take out three men on the outside. Cedric and AJ continue to fight in the ring. Cedric sets up for a Frankensteiner off the top rope, but Styles reverses into a top rope Styles Clash. Everyone hit their spots in this one. Great match and great set up for a continuous feud among all of these men.
We’re shown a clip of 24/7 Champ R-Truth and Mella from earlier today touring the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Tennessee. Well, let me tell you I popped hard (as did the live crowd) for none other then Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, formerly known as The Big Red Machine (not to mention, personal fave) KANE approaches the 24/7 Champ. Mayor Jacobs offers to take Truth on a tour of historic Knoxville in his limo, but everything inside of me wants The Devil’s favorite Demon to add a 24/7 Championship win to his already stacked resume. To be continued.
Next up, it’s time for the King of the Ring Finals with Corbin vs. Gable. I am dreading a Corbin win/reign here, but looking forward to a solid match.
Also loving how they’ve started dimming the lights for big match introductions.
Chad is ready, willing, and Gable to open the match with plenty of technical prowess. Corbin overpowers his much smaller opponent as the crowd chants, “Corbin Sucks.” Renee even compares Corbin to King Joffrey from Game of Thrones. Bacon Rorbin flips Gable into the rolling chairs in the time keeper’s area. Things do not look good for Gable so far. Every time he tries to make a comeback he is almost instantly shut down by #BaconRorbin. However, Corbin is unable to put Gable away. Gable somehow hooks an impromptu Ankle Lock momentarily, but Corbin fights out. Gable baits Corbin into a ring post charge and hits a top rope kick. Gable finally gets some much needed momentum with three flipping kicks. Corbin halts Gable with a catching powerslam.
Corbin throws Gable around the barricades on nearly every side of the ring. Gable dodges a shoulder attack that sends Corbin straight into the steel ring steps. Gable begins to use his environment and the ring post to work the Lone Wolf’s leg. Gable attempts a rebound attack but is met with a beautifully executed Deep 6. Gable answers with that always impressive lifting German Suplex.
Gable dodges an End of Days and is able to lock in the Ankle Lock. Corbin is barely able to make it to the ropes. Gable goes for a tilt whirl DDT but is met with The End of Days to end the match. Your 2019 King of the Ring is indeed Baron Corbin. I do not look forward to him talking about it every week as he did his Constable Corbin/ Interim GM roles. I have a bad feeling this is a reincarnation of the same thing we’ve been seeing from him. Please prove me wrong.
Before we even get to see Corbin dawn the robe and crown, the commentary team hypes the upcoming NXT premiere on USA. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this move and why I think NXT is THE BRAND. Oh wait, yes I can.
It’s time for the Greatest Gender-Reveal Party we’ve ever known, hosted by the always charismatic Street Profits. Maria reveals that it’s a boy before she promptly continues to emasculate her husband. Out of nowhere Maria says that Ricochet is the real father! Ricochet denies it as Mr. Kanellis challenges the high flyer to a match. Maria smirks and walks off. Someone call Maury.
Ricochet makes quick work of Mike with a few high flying strikes and the Recoil for the win.
Out of nowhere The Firefly Funhouse is back. Bray is hanging up pictures of the Fiend’s victims including Lawler, Finn, Foley, and Angle. It’s the little things. it really is. Bray says that something is missing from his, “Wall of Friendship.” Obviously the coupe de grace is going to be the closing moments of Monday Night Raw. You have my attention Bray.
Meanwhile, back in the ring. Maria says she was trying to Motivate Mike and that Ricochet wan’t the father. Maria continues to emasculate her husband, and says that RUSEV is the real father. On Rusev Day no less! Good to see The Bulgarian Brute back in action and bonus points for that glorious mustache. I’m dying as Mike says he’s okay with Rusev being the father and even Congratulates them! Mike runs away but Rusev picks him apart outside the ring. The match is made official and Rusev hits the Matchka Kick and The Accolade for the submission victory. Maria watches every moment of it.
As RAW is continuing to put the “Entertainment” in Sports Entertainment, we’re shown Kane pinning R-truth for the 24/7 Championship earlier in the day after Truth runs into the Field Goal post at Neyland Stadium. I’m not gonna lie. I’m absolutely ecstatic at this point and am cracking up as Kane chants, “I still got it!” What a moment!
Where there's a chair, there's a member of @WWE's #FourHorsewomen closely behind… holding ANOTHER chair! #RAW @SashaBanksWWE @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/eihs6zZP9X
— WWE (@WWE) September 17, 2019
Speaking of faves, my all time favorite, Rey Mysterio makes his way to the ring to face Cesaro. This could be a VERY good match. Cesaro threatens Mysterio’s son, and Rey jumps Cesaro pre-match. The bell finally rings and Cesaro hits an early uppercut for a near fall. Cesaro dominates early until Rey counters a powerbomb attempt into a ring post hurricanrana. Now before I continue with the match I have to point out that I believe either Cesaro lost his gear or is taking fashion tips from Baron Corbin. Is it just me or is Cesaro wearing someone else’s suit pants and sneakers in the ring?
Anyway, Rey hits the 619 to the back and a diving DDT on the outside. Rey even hits a very impressive springboard moonsault into a spinning DDT like I’ve never seen before. (Speaking of someone who’s still got it….) Cesaro baits Mysterio into a missed 619 Rey and drops the cruiserweight across his knee. Cesaro then delivers Eddie’s patented 3 Amigos, but the third suplex is reversed into a hurricanrana. Rey hits the 619 and attempts a corner West Coast Pop. Cesaro catches Rey but Rey hits the “Mexican Destroyer” for the win! What a match, and what a win for one of the all time greats!
We’re back to the Firefly Funhouse with Bray hanging up a picture of Rollins with a creepy smile….
Raw is continuing to make some moves tonight with a video package for the returning Authors of Pain. Akam and Rezar say that the tag teams are soft and won’t fight them. This is an interesting promo, but it somewhat similar to what they’re doing with Aleister on Smackdown. I’ll see where they go with this before I pass judgement.
It’s time for Tag Team action in the Women’s Division. Although Sasha is now sporting the blue hair, it’s really Bayley who has been showing her true colors as of late. Bayley takes a beating early, but Sasha comes to the rescue. However, the former Women’s Tag Champs learn not to cross Nikki as she single handedl-ly lays them out. Cross almost pins Bayley several times throughout. Sasha makes another hugs Save and submits Cross with the Bank Statement. Needless to say, an impressive outing by Cross.
Banks goes for her patented steal chair attack on Cross, but THE MAN runs interference with a chair of her own. Banks and Becks are at a standoff until Bayley comes in for backup. Cue the Queen with a boot to Bayley and a chairshot of her own. I for one, am Thrilled to see this four horsewoman story play out. Everyone’s healthy and feuding. Let’s pull the trigger on this thing already. You book this thing right, Hell In a Cell could be an epic event.
However, as of now Sasha has challenged Becky to a rematch for the Raw Women’s Title at Hell in a Cell. But wait, Becky ups the anti by challenging Sasha to a Hell in a Cell match. This should be a great match, but come Hell in A Cell Becky’s reign may be up as it truly may be BOSS TIME.
Elsewhere R-Truth regains his 24/7 Title by jumping from on top of Mayor Jacobs’ limo. Kane goes for a chokeslam but R-Truth reasons with him.
Kane makes friends with R-Truth to put a silly ending to this very enjoyable bit.
Happy to see Dana Brooke back on TV as she takes on the Sassy Southern Bell, Lacey Evans. Dana hits her spots, but Lacey hits an impressive slingshot double boot on her opponent. Lacey grabs the hair and hits the Woman’s Right. Instead of going for the pin. Lacey hits a sharpshooter to mock Natalya for the win.
Our main event pits newly crowned tag champ, Robert Roode vs. Universal Champ, Seth Rollins. This is a slow paced match with a ton of interference from Ziggler and Roode taking advantage. Rollins is able to overcome the numbers game and hits the curb stomp for the potential win, but Ziggler breaks it up for the DQ. As I expect the Fiend to make an appearance, The OC come down the ramp to add to a five on one attack on the Universal Champion. Rollins is hit with a magic killer, and a styles clash. They don’t stop there as they continue to lay into Rollins.
…and so is #TheFiend. @WWEBrayWyatt @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/F0QGNo1BeX
— WWE (@WWE) September 17, 2019
But wait … KANE’s music hits and my life is complete! The big red machine is back in the mask and doesn’t miss a beat! He Lays out the entire OC with Chokeslams Galore. I am…. as I believe the expression goes – marking out BIG TIME!
As if things couldn’t get any better, the lights go out. This is BRILLIANT. The FIEND attacks KANE with the mandible claw!! Bray getting the proverbial rub by one of the all time greats!
The Fiend hovers over a defeated Rollins as the shows ends. What an ending!!
Ok, Monday Night Raw, I see you. You finally have my attention. Returning Superstars, Legend appearances, and featuring some of my favorite high flyers all night long is the way to go. Keep making moves and we’ll keep watching.
Let him in… to hell.#HIAC #RAW @WWERollins @WWEBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/idvZBfWLhR
— WWE (@WWE) September 17, 2019
