This week’s episode of RAW aired live from Providence, Rhode Island. The build to the Royal Rumble has officially begun as it is WWE’s next PPV on January 28th, 2018.
Here are 8 takeaways from this week’s episode of RAW:
The Universal Championship Match For Royal Rumble Is Set
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RAW GM Kurt Angle kicked off this week’s episode of RAW. Angle announced that Universal Champion Brock Lesnar is here tonight. Angle added that he will determine who Brock Lesnar’s Royal Rumble opponent will be. Braun Strowman’s music hit and he marched towards the ring.
Strowman claimed that he earned the opportunity to face Lesnar because he was the only man left standing in his match against Kane last week on RAW. Kane’s music then hit and Kane came down to the ring with a microphone. Kane stated that he has caused more destruction in WWE over the past 20 years and that he was not going to let anyone step over him. Kane brought up Brock Lesnar’s victory over The Undertaker and said that Lesnar has not defeated him. Kane said that he will get his title shot at Royal Rumble unless Braun Strowman is man enough to stop him.
Paul Heyman joined the party and came down to the entrance ramp. Heyman introduced Lesnar and Brock circled the ring before entering with the Universal Championship. Lesnar raised the title and stared at Kane and Braun Strowman. Kurt Angle quickly announced that Brock Lesnar will defend his Universal Championship against both Kane and Braun Strowman in a Triple Threat match.
Angle then left the ring and Strowman charged at Lesnar. Brock was ready and launched Strowman out of the ring. Brock Lesnar then hit Kane with an F5 and exited the ring. Braun Strowman was already back up and stared at Lesnar as he made his way up the entrance ramp. Kane sat up in the middle of the ring and quickly got up and stared at Lesnar as the segment ended.
Is this the best WWE can do for the Universal Championship match at Royal Rumble? It just doesn’t make sense to me that Kane is in this match. I haven’t found the feud between Kane and Strowman all that compelling and don’t have much interest in it continuing all the way up until the Royal Rumble on January 28th.
Seth Rollins Earned A Match Against Samoa Joe
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Seth Rollins faced Samoa Joe tonight on RAW. Before the match started, Jason Jordan came down to the entrance ramp after Seth Rollins made his entrance. Jordan got booed out of the building as Jordan complained about asking Kurt Angle for a match against Samoa Joe for the past two weeks.
Jordan joined Rollins in the ring and said that he was done asking for the match. Rollins grabbed a microphone and was quickly interrupted by Samoa Joe’s music. Samoa Joe came down to the entrance ramp with a microphone. Samoa Joe proposed that Rollins and Jordan face each other to see who gets the honor of getting their ass kicked by him. Rollins said that the match had already been made and that Jordan should go look for his daddy’s approval somewhere else. Jordan shoved Rollins to the mat and then Seth Rollins agreed to the match as Samoa Joe watched on from ringside.
Rollins controlled the match early as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Jordan was in control and beatdown Rollins in the corner. Rollins responded by Clotheslining Jordan out of the ring. Rollins tried to jump onto Jordan off the ring apron but Jason caught him and drove Seth into the barricade. Jordan brought Rollins into the ring and attempted a cover but Seth kicked out at two.
Jordan launched Rollins into the turnbuckle and attempted another cover but Rollins once again kicked out. Jordan continued on the attack and slammed Rollins into the turnbuckle once again. Rollins fought back briefly and hit a chop but Jordan lifted Rollins up and sent him back into the turnbuckle. Jordan applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as Samoa Joe was shown watching on from ringside.
Jordan continued to control the action and slammed Rollins into the turnbuckle a few more times before driving his shoulder into Seth’s midsection. Jordan went for another cover but once again Rollins kicked out at two. Rollins connected with another chop but was dropped with a Backbreaker for another two count. Jordan then went back to the Chin Lock in the center of the ring.
Rollins went or a Superkick while Jordan was on his knees. Jason blocked it and delivered a Belly to Belly Suplex as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Rollins was in control and connected with a springboard Clothesline for a two count. Rollins charged at Jordan but Jason caught him and planted him with a Belly to Belly Suplex for a two count.
Seth knocked Jordan out of the ring and then connected with a Dropkick through the ropes. Rollins followed it up with a Suicide Dive but his momentum sent him crashing into the barricade and both Superstars fell to the floor outside the ring. The referee began counting and both Superstars got back into the ring at the last second.
Rollins leaped onto Jordan but Jason once again caught him and hit two Northern Lights Suplex in a row for yet another two count. Jordan perched Rollins up on the top turnbuckle and went for a Superplex but Rollins blocked it. Seth blasted Jordan in the face with a couple of right hands and then hit a headbutt that knocked Jordan to the canvas. Seth Rollins hit an awesome Frog Splash and went for the cover but Jordan was able to kick out at the last moment.
Jordan rolled out of the ring and Rollins connected with a knee to Jason’s face off the ring apron. Rollins got in Samoa Joe’s face ringside and then walked away. Rollins threw Jordan into Samoa Joe and then hit a massive Superkick to Joe’s face. The action returned to the ring and Jordan went for a roll-up but Rollins kicked out at two. Rollins then connected with the knee to the face for the pinfall victory.
Rollins then brawled with Samoa Joe outside the ring. Joe rolled into the ring and the referee tried to seperate them. Joe took advantage and jabbed Rollins in the face. Joe then planted him with an Uranage and punched him in the face a few times. Joe left the ring and delivered a Clothesline to Jordan against the barricade before angrily walking up the entrance ramp.
Rollins, Ambrose and Jordan all approached RAW GM Kurt Angle backstage demanding a match with Kurt Angle. Kurt made a 6-man tag match for later tonight. It will be Jason Jordan, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose versus Samoa Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro.
Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan had a terrific match tonight. Jordan has all the in-ring talent in the world, hopefully WWE finds a way for him to connect with the audience. Jordan is more entertaining in this annoying role where he keeps begging for a match against Samoa Joe. I’m not sure how long that can last before it starts getting old and the audience grows completely tired of him.
Matt Hardy Vowed To Delete Bray Wyatt & Sister Abigail
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Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen and wondered what it was that draws Matt Hardy to be woken. Wyatt poked fun at Hardy’s childish laugh and all the funny faces he makes. Wyatt stated that it is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Bray vowed to hurt Hardy and his followers and added that he doesn’t play by the rules. Bray added that Hardy should tell everyone that he loves that “she is sorry” and that the Great War must end. Wyatt told Matt Hardy to run as the promo ended.
Later on RAW, Matt Hardy was shown with a chess board and a goldfish. The goldfish was Napoleon and Matt Hardy had a conversation with it. Hardy stated that the battlefield in WWE was much like a chess board. Hardy said that he will stand side by side with all of his warriors in the Great War. Hardy said that Bray Wyatt and Sister Abigail must be deleted. Hardy then chomped his teeth and then the “Woken” transition slide flashed to end the promo.
Another week, another set of pre-taped promos for Wyatt and Hardy. These promos are entertaining, but I’d still like to see an interaction between the two Superstars in the ring.
Hideo Itami Made His RAW Debut
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Finn Balor faced both Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a Handicap match tonight. Axel and Dallas wouldn’t stop stomping on Balor and were disqualified. Hideo Itami came out and made his RAW roster debut to help out Finn Balor. Itami got in some offense before Balor tagged back in.
Axel continued the beatdown of Balor for the next couple of minutes before tagging Bo Dallas back in. Balor finally escaped and tagged Itami back in. Hideo connected with a Clothesline to Curtis Axel for a two count. Itami then hit a knee to Axel’s face and went for the cover but Bo Dallas broke it.
Balor sprinted in the ring and hit a Slingblade on Dallas and then knocked him out of the ring. Balor followed it up with a Dropkick to Dallas against the barricade outside the ring. Back in the ring, Itami connected with the GTS to Curtis Axel for the pinfall victory. Balor and Itami then shook hands in the ring after the match. Itami will join the 205 Live roster tomorrow night on the WWE Network.
The crowd failed to show Itami respect tonight as their reaction sucked when he made his RAW debut. I hope that Itami can have success on 205 Live. That brand desperately needs someone to be relevant other than Enzo Amore.
Cedric Alexander Is The #1 Contender For The Cruiserweight Championship
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Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore and Drew Gulak came down to the ring. The two cut a couple of Star Wars jokes and Gulak referred to himself as the Jar Jar Binks of 205 Live. Cedric Alexander interrupted before Gulak could provide his tribute to his best friend, Enzo Amore.
Gulak and Alexander faced off tonight to determine who will face Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship. Enzo Amore joined commentary for the match. Corey Graves asked Enzo Amore what his relationship was with Nia Jax and Enzo refused to comment. Alexander controlled the match early and connected with Dropkick that knocked Gulak out of the ring. Alexander then flipped onto Gulak outside the ring and then pointed at Enzo at the commentary table on the entrance ramp.
Both Superstars tumbled out of the ring in a dangerous looking Suplex spot at RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Gulak launched Alexander into the turnbuckle as Enzo Amore claimed the crowd was chanting his name. Alexander battled back but his back gave out and Gulak connected with a Clothesline. Enzo wouldn’t shut up on commentary and Cole and Graves started getting frustrated with him.
Cedric connected with a Back Body Drop and a series of elbows. Enzo Amore looked at his phone and left the announce table. Gulak was distracted by this and Alexander connected with a springboard Clothesline. Alexander followed it up with a Lumbar Check for the pinfall victory.
Enzo was shown backstage looking at his phone. Nia Jax then appeared with a smile on her face. Enzo said that he got her DM. Nia said that she wanted finish their conversation but Drew Gulak interrupted. Gulak said that he let everyone down by losing and said that he wanted to talk about it. Gulak had a tissue in his nose and blood on his face. Nia Jax said that they will have to finish their conversation later and walked away. Gulak stated that he had to review the tapes to see what happened and what he did wrong in the match. Enzo shouted “you did a lot of things wrong!” and walked away.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him become the new Cruiserweight Champion because he is a terrific in-ring performer. There is a ton of talent on the 205 Live roster, yet Enzo Amore is pretty much the only one that generates any reaction from the audience. It would surprise me at all if WWE just keeps the title on Enzo for now until someone finally emerges with a personality. The storyline between Enzo and Nia Jax is interesting. I’m assuming that she isn’t actually into him and she is going to wind up screwing him over somehow.
Samoa Joe & The Bar Took Out Dean Ambrose
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Samoa Joe, Cesaro and Sheamus faced Jason Jordan, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose at the beginning of the third hour of RAW tonight. Jordan demanded to be in the match first and promptly got his ass kicked by Samoa Joe. Cesaro continued the beatdown for a moment before tagging in Sheamus who stomped on Jordan in the corner.
Cesaro was tagged back in and applied a Chin Lock. Jordan connected with a Suplex to break the hold and then rolled towards the corner and Rollins tagged himself in. Rollins hit Cesaro with a Slingblade and followed it up with a kick to the face. Rollins knocked Cesaro out of the ring as RAW went to a commercial break.
When RAW returned, Sheamus was in control of the match and had Rollins trapped in the corner. Joe was tagged in and he continued the beatdown of Rollins and the crowd was completely silent now. Sheamus connected with a Backbreaker and then Cesaro hit an Elbow Drop. Rollins rested against the ropes and Sheamus booted him in the face. Cesaro tried to cover Rollins but Seth kicked out at two.
Sheamus was tagged back into the match and connected with another Backbreaker. Rollins eventually fought back and hit a DDT but was quickly knocked back down by Sheamus. Sheamus charged at Rollins in the corner but Seth dodged it and Sheamus crashed into the ring post. Rollins slowly made his way across the ring but Cesaro was tagged in and prevented the tag.
Cesaro tossed Rollins out of the ring and then Sheamus and Samoa Joe stomped on him. Jordan and Ambrose ambushed Sheamus and Samoa Joe outside the ring. Samoa Joe launched Jordan into the timekeeper’s area and then Ambrose kneed Joe in the back of the head. Rollins hit a Back Body Drop on Cesaro outside the ring. Ambrose rolled Rollins back in the ring and tried to tag in but Cesaro booted him off the apron. Rollins launched Samoa Joe out of the ring and then hit a Suicide Dive onto Cesaro, Samoa Joe and Dean Ambrose.
The referee called for a doctor for Dean Ambrose while he was leaning against the barricade. Back in the ring, Sheamus leveled Rollins with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory. Ambrose was shown as the doctor was checking on his elbow.
Samoa Joe, Sheamus and Cesaro were attacked Rollins and Ambrose backstage while Dean was being attended to by a doctor. Samoa Joe slammed a storage cart into Ambrose’s arm and Sheamus leveled Seth Rollins.
I’m not sure if the injury to Ambrose was legit or not. That is something to keep an eye on going forward. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan put in ridiculous efforts tonight wrestling in two matches. Unfortunately, this episode of RAW has been rather dull so far and the crowd wasn’t into this match at all.
The Revival Returned To RAW
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The Revival made their return tonight against Heath Slater and Rhyno. Slater and Rhyno controlled the match early and beatdown Dash Wilder. Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews and Dana Brooke were shown backstage. Dana Brooke is apparently the “Director of Statistics” for the team now.
Scott Dawson took control of the match and beatdown Slater before tagging Wilder back in. Wilder applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring to Slater. Heath fought out of it but was knocked back to the canvas. Dawson was tagged back in and Slater connected with a kick. Wilder leaped into the ring and accidentally bumped heads with Slater. Wilder pulled Rhyno off the ring apron and slammed him into the steps. Wilder was then tagged back in and the Revival hit the Shatter Machine for the quick victory.
After the match, Slater and Rhyno were shown backstage. RAW GM Kurt Angle approached them and said that they need to toughen up if they want to get any more opportunities. Rhyno agreed and said that Heath Slater needs to toughen up and he knows exactly how to do that. Rhyno instructed Slater to follow him and the two walked away.
It is great to see The Revival back on RAW. They are one of the most talented teams in WWE, but their main roster run has been hampered by injuries. I hope they can both stay healthy because they are an excellent addition to RAW’s tag team division. As for Slater and Rhyno, I had completely forgot they were even on RAW. They have become completely irrelevant on the show, so any change is welcome for them.
Stephanie McMahon Announced The First Ever Women’s Royal Rumble
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RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon was shown arriving at the arena earlier in the night in a limo. She was then briefly shown later on having a conversation with RAW GM Kurt Angle backstage.
Elias came down to the ring and poked fun at Tom Brady for the Deflategate scandal. Elias also stated that his greatest performance ever will be at the Royal Rumble when he wins it. Elias started to perform a song dedicated to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell but was interrupted by Sasha Banks, Bayley and Mickie James. Elias went to leave with his guitar but Bayley met him at the entrance ramp and offered a hug. Elias refused and walked by Bayley.
Sasha Banks, Mickie James and Bayley then faced Absolution in a 6-woman tag match. Paige and Mickie James started off the match. Mickie leveled Paige with a Clothesline and then tagged in Sasha Banks. Sasha and Mickie teamed up for a Suplex on Paige for a two count. Paige battled back and leveled Backs with a kick to the face.
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville took turns beating down Banks in the corner. Paige was then tagged back in and she stomped on Sasha some more. Things broke down and Bayley, Deville, Rose and Mickie James battled outside the ring. Back in the ring, Sasha Banks leaped onto Paige and attempted a cover but Deville and Rose broke it. Mandy and Deville then started attacking Sasha Banks in the ring and the referee disqualified Absolution.
Nia Jax then came down to the ring as Absolution waited for her in the ring. Absolution charged at Nia but Jax beat the trio down. Nia lifted both Rose and Deville onto her shoulders and planted them both with a Samoan Drop. Paige attacked Nia from behind and knocked her to the canvas. Rose and Deville got back up and joined in on the beatdown of Nia Jax. The RAW women’s locker room then sprinted down to the ring and beatdown Absolution.
RAW GM Stephanie McMahon then came down to the ring and the brawl completely stopped in the ring. Stephanie grabbed a microphone and said that three years ago a revolution started in the WWE. Stephanie stated that because of the female Superstars, the divas division became the women’s division. Stephanie brought up the first ever women’s Hell in a Cell match and the first ever women’s MITB match.
McMahon added that WWE held the first ever women’s match in the Middle East and how the fans chanted “this is hope!” during the match between Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss. Stephanie asked the crowd if they wanted to see the women make history once again and the crowd chanted “yes!”. Stephanie then announced that on January 28th, 2018, there will be the first ever women’s Royal Rumble match. The crowd chanted “yes!” as RAW went off the air.
RAW ended on a high note with the announcement of the first ever women’s Royal Rumble next month. This had been rumored for some time, but it was awesome to see it officially announced.
Here are some of the reactions from WWE Superstars:
https://twitter.com/NikkiCrossWWE/status/942969812338307072
https://twitter.com/TaminaSnuka/status/942971533525442560
