This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw kicked off with Chris Jericho getting a huge reaction from the Chicago crowd. Jericho referred to Chicago as the “birthplace of Y2J” and that tonight is the site of the resurrection of Chris Jericho. Jericho stated that he screwed Kevin Owens out of the Universal Championship last night at Fastlane because Owens turned his back on him three weeks ago. Jericho asked that Kevin Owens come down to the ring and explain why he attacked him during the Festival of Friendship.
Owens came down to the entrance ramp and refused to answer the question because of Jericho’s actions last night at Fastlane. Owens then admitted that Jericho was never his best friend. Owens said that Jericho was just a tool and that Owens used him to hold onto the Universal Championship. Owens said that Jericho went from a tool to a burden once he accepted the match with Goldberg on his behalf. Owens stated that the biggest mistake of Jericho’s life was costing him the Universal Championship.
Jericho disagreed and claimed that his biggest mistake was ever trusting Kevin Owens. Jericho claimed that he had thousands of friends here tonight and the entire Chicago crowd cheered. Jericho challenged Owens to a match at Wrestlemania. Owens said that he is guaranteed a rematch for the Universal Championship whenever he wants. Owens accepted the match as long as Jericho puts his United States Championship on the line. Jericho agreed and the match is now official for Wrestlemania.
Jericho then challenged Owens to come down to the ring and fight. Owens charged the ring and started to brawl with Jericho. Samoa Joe then attacked Jericho from behind. Sami Zayn then came down to the ring with a chair and hit Joe with it. Owens and Joe then teamed up to beatdown Sami Zayn. Jericho then got back up and hit both Joe and Owens with the chair.
Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
The match was already underway when Raw returned from a commercial break. Owens connected with a Cannonball and went for a Pop-up Powerbomb but Zayn connected with a Dropkick that sent Owens out of the ring. Zayn then leaped from the ring and hit a Moonsault onto Kevin Owens. The match returned to the ring and Owens connected with a Pop-Up Powerbomb but didn’t attempt a cover. Owens connected with a series of punches to the head of Sami Zayn. Owens hit a second Pop-Up Powerbomb for the victory.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Reaction: Monday Night Raw started off with a bang tonight. The promo between Owens and Jericho was very entertaining. The match between Zayn and Owens was short and once again Sami Zayn lost a match without putting up much of a fight.
Cruiserweight Championship Match: Neville (c) vs Rich Swann
The Chicago crowd started to chant “CM Punk!” as the match started. The match quickly spilled outside the ring and Neville slammed Swann’s head into the ring apron. Raw went to a commercial break with Neville completely in control of the match.
When Raw returned, Neville had a Chinlock applied to Swann in the middle of the ring. The crowd started to chant “Austin Aries” as Swann connected with a couple of punches to Neville on the ring apron. Swann landed a kick then knocked Neville to the floor outside the ring. Swann climbed to the top rope and hit a Swanton onto Neville while he was still outside the ring. Back in the ring, Swann hit a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Neville fought back and landed a Superplex off the top rope. Neville went for a cover but Swann was able to avoid it by rolling out of the ring. Neville followed Swann out of the ring and launched him into the barricade as Raw went to another commercial break. Swann connected with a Superkick for a two count. Swann hit another kick and went for the Phoenix Splash off the top rope but Neville rolled out of the way. Neville then applied the Rings of Saturn for the submission victory.
After the match, Neville was interviewed by Austin Aries. The crowd started to chant “Austin Aries!” once again and Aries thanked the Chicago crowd. Neville told all of his doubters to take a look at him now and raised the Cruiserweight Championship title above his head. Neville stated that their is nobody on 205 Live that holds a candle to the king of the Cruiserweight. Aries asked Neville if he was sure that there was nobody on 205 Live that was on his level. The crowd once again started to chant “Austin Aries!”. Neville got angry and said that Aries wasn’t even close to being on his level. Neville told Aries to go back to his announcer’s desk and make cheap little jokes. Neville threatened to re-break Aries’ orbital socket.
Aries finally had enough and hit Neville in the head with the microphone. Aries then knocked Neville out of the ring. Neville retreated as Aries stood tall in the ring and raised the Cruiserweight Championship.
Winner & Still Cruiserweight Champion: Neville
Reaction: The match between Neville and Rich Swann was very good. When the Cruiserweights are given time they have the ability to put on great matches. This match was given plenty of time and hopefully that becomes a trend on Raw in the weeks to come. The entire first hour of Raw was very entertaining. It has been rumored for awhile that Aries will face Neville at Wrestlemania. It is looking like that is going to happen and I cannot wait to see it.
Goldberg came down to the ring and raised the Universal Championship to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Goldberg said that this title belongs to the WWE Universe and that he could not have done it without them. The crowd started to chant “CM Punk!” again. Paul Heyman interrupted and came out from backstage. Heyman said that he did not come to the arena and introduced Brock Lesnar. Brock and Heyman then circled the ring as Goldberg stared at them. Lesnar got into the ring and had a stare down with Goldberg. Heyman stated that Lesnar came here tonight to shake Goldberg’s hand and congratulate Goldberg on becoming the Universal Champion. Heyman claimed that Lesnar is willing to shake Goldberg’s hand because Goldberg has proven to be every bit the conquerer that Lesnar is. Heyman then told Goldberg that he has a spoiler for Wrestlemania and it was that Lesnar will take the Universal Championship from him. Lesnar then extended his hand and Heyman stated that after Wrestlemania, Goldberg will become known as Lesnar’s bitch. Lesnar then hit Goldberg with an F-5.
Reaction: I enjoyed this promo because it got right to the point. Goldberg didn’t say much before Heyman interrupted. Lesnar fired the first shot and planted Goldberg with an F-5. The only negative thing about this segment was the crowd once again chanting “CM Punk” for no reason.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: Gallows & Anderson (c) vs Enzo & Cass
Sheamus and Cesaro had an argument with Enzo & Cass earlier in the night. Enzo & Cass controlled the first couple of minutes of the match and Sheamus & Cesaro walked down to the entrance ramp. Raw went to a commercial break with Enzo shouting at Sheamus & Cesaro from the ring. When Raw returned, Gallows and Anderson were taking turns beating the hell out of Enzo. Enzo hit a DDT on Gallows and tagged in Cass. Gallows tagged in Anderson as well. Cass hit the Empire Elbow on Anderson for a two count. Enzo knocked Gallows out of the ring and hit a Suicide Dive onto him. Enzo then celebrated the move but during the celebration he accidentally knocked Cesaro’s coffee out of his hand. Cesaro then chased Enzo and wound up hitting Anderson. Things broke down and everyone started brawling. Cesaro and Sheamus were the last ones standing in the ring.
Winners via DQ: Gallows & Anderson
Sheamus & Cesaro were fighting with Enzo & Cass backstage. Raw GM Mick Foley stepped and a made a match for next week on Raw. Enzo & Cass will face Sheamus & Cesaro and the winner will go on to face Gallows & Anderson at Wrestlemania for the Raw Tag Team Championship. Stephanie McMahon then showed up and told Mick Foley to come to her office.
Akira Tozawa vs Ariya Daivari
Daivari controlled the match early. Tozawa fought back and hit a Suicide Dive onto Daivari outside the ring. Back in the ring, Tozawa connected with a German Suplex for the victory. Tozawa then grabbed a microphone and called out Brian Kendrick to fight him face to face. Kendrick came down to entrance ramp and told Tozawa that he will answer his challenge tomorrow night on 205 Live.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
The New Day came down to the ring with their ice cream cart. Big E made out the cart for some reason.
New Day vs The Shining Stars
The Shining Stars took out Kofi and then decided to surround Xavier Woods by the ice cream cart. Big E and Kofi then took out both Primo and Epico outside the ring. Big E and Kofi then hit the Midnight Hour for the pinfall victory.
Winner: New Day
Reaction: The second hour of Raw was quite boring. The New Day used to be one of my favorite parts of Raw. Now, their entire act has grown stale and their promos are about ice cream. The tag division on Raw has a bunch of talent but they have consistently been misused.
Bayley joined Mick Foley in there ring. Bayley said that she doesn’t feel like a champion tonight because Sasha Banks interfered in her match last night against Charlotte. Foley said that it doesn’t matter how she got there, Bayley is going to Wrestlemania. Mick Foley then asked Bayley who her opponent will be at Wrestlemania. Sasha Banks then interrupted and challenged Bayley to a match at Wrestlemania. Mick Foley then asked the crowd if they wanted to see that match and the crowd chanted “yes!”.
Charlotte and Dana Brooke then joined the party. Charlotte said that Sasha Banks is using Bayley and is pretending to be her friend. Charlotte called herself a victim and stated that she was robbed of her PPV streak and her title shot last night at Fastlane. Stephanie McMahon came down to the ring and the entire crowd “CM Punk!”. Stephanie said the entire crowd was just like CM Punk and called them all losers. That didn’t quiet the crowd down at all and they once again chanted “CM Punk!”. Stephanie McMahon stated that Charlotte deserved the match against Bayley at Wrestlemania. Foley said that Sasha Banks should be in the match as well. Stephanie McMahon then made a match between Bayley and Sasha Banks. If Sasha Banks wins, the match at Wrestlemania will be a Triple Threat between Bayley, Charlotte and Sasha Banks.
Bayley vs Sasha Banks
This match started really slow. Charlotte joined commentary and claimed that Bayley has never really defeated her one on one. Byron Saxton pointed out that Bayley has defeated Charlotte four times now. Corey Graves called Saxton an idiot. Sasha hit an Arm Drag on Bayley and pointed to the Wrestlemania sign. Bayley hit a Splash on Sasha in the corner and then applied an Arm Bar. Sasha fought back and leveled Bayley with a Clothesline and Raw went to a commercial break.
When Raw returned, Bayley and Sasha tried to roll each other up a bunch of times. Charlotte and Dana Brooke made their way down to the ring as Sasha and Bayley battled in the ring. Sasha locked in the Bank Statement but Bayley made her way to the bottom rope and the hold was broken. Sasha applied the Bank Statement again in the middle of the ring. Dana then got up on the ring apron and distracted the referee. Charlotte tried to interfere but Sasha kicked her. Bayley then tapped out to the Bank Statement. Charlotte then kicked Bayley and Sasha in the face after the match and posed with the Raw Women’s Championship. As of now, it will be Bayley versus Sasha Banks versus Charlotte at Wrestlemania.
Winner: Sasha Banks
Reaction: Both the promo and the match were clunky as hell. Nia Jax was nowhere to be found tonight. I’m assuming that she will be added to the match at Wrestlemania in the next few weeks. I’m surprised that she didn’t show up and attack Sasha after the match. I hope that some women from NXT join the main roster after Wrestlemania because I’ve been tired of these storylines on Raw for some time now. The crowd doesn’t seem too invested in this storyline as well. Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Bayley can certainly put on an excellent match at Wrestlemania. However, there really isn’t any buzz for that match right now. Instead of having Bayley win the title at Wrestlemania, the WWE gave that away on an episode of Raw. Instead of Charlotte lose her undefeated streak at PPVs at Wrestlemania, the WWE gave that away last night at Fastlane. I think both of those moments should have been saved for the biggest show of the year.
The WWE aired a video of Seth Rollins training to try to get healthy before Wrestlemania. Triple H was interviewed via satellite and he said that he hopes that Rollins listens to the WWE medical staff. Triple H stated that it would be foolish of Rollins to try and rush back in time for Wrestlemania. Triple H said that Rollins was a liar for referring to himself as “the man”. Triple H stated that if Rollins shows up at Wrestlemania against doctor’s orders it will be the last thing he ever does in a WWE ring.
Samoa Joe vs Chris Jericho
Joe started out he match in control and beatdown Jericho in the corner. Joe continued to dominate for the next few minutes and locked in an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Jericho battled back and went for the Walls of Jericho but Joe avoided it. Jericho connected with a kick to Joe’s head and followed it up with a Dropkick that knocked Joe out of the ring. Joe tried to get back into the ring but Jericho landed another Dropkick that knocked Joe back down. Jericho went for a Baseball Slide while Joe was by the ring apron. Joe moved out of the way and applied the Coquina Clutch outside the ring. Joe rolled back into the ring at the count of nine and won the match by countout. Joe tried to attack Jericho after the match but Jericho hit a Codebreaker.
Winner via Countout: Samoa Joe
Braun Strowman called out Roman Reigns and demanded that he come to the ring and fight him. Roman’s music hit but it was quickly interrupted by The Undertaker’s music. The Undertaker emerged and the crowd went crazy as Braun Strowman looked on from inside the ring. The Undertaker and Strowman had a stare down in the ring as the crowd chanted “holy sh**!”. Braun got out of the ring and exited through the crowd. Roman Reigns then came out and the crowd loudly booed. Reigns was back to wearing boots and joined The Undertaker in the ring. Reigns said that Strowman was calling him out and not The Undertaker. Reigns said that “this was his yard now”. Reigns and The Undertaker stared at the Wrestlemania sign above the ring for a moment. The Undertaker then Chokeslammed Roman Reigns and left the ring.
Reaction: I have a few thoughts about the ending of tonight’s episode of Raw. First, it is always awesome to see The Undertaker in a WWE ring. There is nobody like The Undertaker and there will never be anyone like him the future. I don’t understand why the WWE spent all this time building up Braun Strowman as a monster only to feed him to Roman Reigns last night. He also ran away from The Undertaker tonight and looked weak. The match between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns interests me on a bunch of levels. I think it has the potential to be a solid match, but that all depends on The Undertaker’s health and what he can do in the ring. I’m very interested in the outcome of that match. Roman Reigns was booed out of the building tonight. The guy cannot win right now. The crowd just hates him. Reigns has a bunch of fans but I don’t think too many of them will be traveling to Orlando for Wrestlemania.
If Roman Reigns wins, I can already see people getting very pissed off at Wrestlemania. I would love to see Roman Reigns as a heel for this match but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards right now. The fans and the WWE seem to be in a battle over if Roman Reigns is indeed “The Guy”. The atmosphere for this match at Wrestlemania will be incredible. Roman Reigns is in tough spot and I’m glad I don’t have to decide who wins. I’d much rather sit back and marvel at the outrage that will occur if Reigns defeats The Undertaker with a Spear at Wrestlemania. Overall, tonight’s episode of Raw was better than most since the brand split. It still had a bunch of filler segments and matches that hardly anyone cared about. The first hour was very good, the Lesnar and Goldberg segment was solid and the ending was entertaining.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw? How would you book The Undertaker and Roman Reigns match at Wrestlemania? Share your thoughts below.
