Monday Night Raw kicked off with a Goldberg promo. The crowd cheered “Goldberg” and he thanked them. Goldberg said that Kevin Owens did what he does best last week and that was talk. Goldberg stated that he is six days away from winning the Universal Championship. Goldberg promised that he will become the Universal Champion at WWE Fastlane. Kevin Owens interrupted and was wearing an all black suit and tie. Owens bragged about his accomplishments since joining the WWE main roster. Goldberg mockingly clapped as Owens listed off all the people he has defeated in the WWE.
Owens said that Jericho does not matter and called the WWE Universe sheep for chanting Goldberg’s name. Owens said that Goldberg is next in the evolution of Kevin Owens as Universal Champion. Goldberg said that Owens pissed him off and challenged him to come down to the ring and fight. Owens said that Green Bay doesn’t deserve to see him fight tonight. The crowd booed and Owens said that he cannot wait to pin Goldberg this Sunday at WWE Fastlane. Owens claimed that the “Goldberg” chant will die on Sunday.
Reaction: The only interesting takeaway from this promo is that Kevin Owens said “evolution”. I’m just hoping that Owens, Samoa Joe and Triple H are part of a new iteration of Evolution. That really is the only outcome I’d be interested in this Sunday. If you want Goldberg to become Universal Champion, that is your opinion and you are absolutely entitled to it. I just do not find that interesting at all and I don’t like the idea of Goldberg or Brock Lesnar being Universal Champion after Wrestlemania. I still don’t understand why the Goldberg and Lesnar match even needs the Universal Championship attached to it.
New Day vs Jinder Mahal & Rusev
New Day controlled the match early and Raw went to a commercial break. When Raw returned, Rusev had Xavier Woods in a Chinlock. Rusev beatdown Woods some more and tagged in Mahal. Jinder beatdown Woods and tagged Rusev back in the match. Rusev continued to beat the hell out of Xavier Woods for the next few minutes. Finally, Woods fought back and caught Rusev with a kick to the head. Big E and Mahal were then tagged in. Big E hit Mahal with three Belly to Belly Suplexes. Jinder kicked Big E out of the ring but Woods managed to tag himself in. Woods hit a Crossbody off the top rope on Mahal but Rusev broke up the pinball. Rusev then kicked Big E off the ring apron. Rusev then got distracted by Kofi Kingston outside the ring and accused him of talking to Lana. Back in the ring, Woods rolled up Mahal for the victory. Jinder and Rusev argued in the ring after the match.
Reaction: The Academy Award joke got no reaction from the crowd. It is hard to imagine a worse start to an episode of Monday Night Raw with a PPV only six days away.
Winners: New Day
Enzo and Cass had a backstage promo. Enzo said that after they win the Raw Tag Team Championships at Fastlane, he will use it as an ice breaker to hit on girls. Big Cass said that Enzo needs to remain focused on winning the match on Sunday because they have never won titles in the WWE or NXT.
Samoa Joe confronted Cesaro and Sheamus backstage. Samoa Joe poked fun at Cesaro and said that he was still desperately grasping for that brass ring. Cesaro said that all Samoa Joe does is carry Triple H’s jock strap. Samoa Joe said that Cesaro is very clever but again poked fun at him for not being that successful in the WWE.
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley had a conversation backstage. Stephanie said that Triple H ended Mick Foley’s career 17 years ago. Stephanie claimed that Triple H gets stronger every year while Mick Foley gets weaker. Stephanie stated that Foley doesn’t measure up to her expectations and said that Mick Foley even realizes how pathetic he has become. Stephanie said that Foley used to stand up for everything he believed in and now he can hardly even stand at all.
Akira Tozawa vs Noam Dar
Brian Kendrick had a backstage promo before the match. Kendrick showed clips of him attacking Tozawa for not accepting his offer to become his protege. Tozawa connected with a kick and standing Senton for a two count. Tozawa then hit Dar with several chops to the chest. Tozawa climbed to the second rope and Alicia Fox distracted him. Dar took advantage and knocked Tozawa to the mat. Tozawa battled back and knocked Dar out of the ring. Tozawa then hit a Suicide Dive and rolled Dar back in the ring. Tozawa then hit the snap German Suplex for the victory. After the match, Brian Kendrick attacked Tozawa from behind. Kendrick grabbed the microphone and scolded Tozawa. Kendrick stated that he hoped Tozawa was learning his lessons.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
Samoa Joe confronted Mick Foley backstage. Foley said that Samoa Joe is now nothing more than Triple H’s puppet. Samoa Joe stated that nobody tells him what to do. Foley told Joe that he has a match tonight against Cesaro.
Charlotte & Nia Jax vs Bayley & Sasha Banks
Before the match, Charlotte called Bayley selfish for not giving her back the Raw Women’s Championship last week. Charlotte accused Bayley of cheating to win the title. Charlotte claimed that Bayley was destined to be a one hit wonder like Vanilla Ice, the Baha Men, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Bayley interrupted and came down to the ring. Bayley said that she is not a one hit wonder because she has already defeated Charlotte three times. Bayley said that her next dream was to walk into Wrestlemania as the Raw Women’s Champion. Charlotte said that she will win her title back and Fastlane and that she will buy Bayley’s dad a front row ticket to watch her daughter lose her title. Sasha Banks interrupted and said that Bayley was everything Charlotte wished she was and everything that the WWE Universe wants. Charlotte accused Sasha of continuously stealing Bayley’s spotlight. Sasha Banks then said that she was tired of looking at Charlotte’s stupid face. The Green Bay crowd then started to chant “stupid face”. Charlotte announced that Nia Jax will be taking Dana Brooke’s place in the tag team match. Dana Brooke was visibly pissed off.
The match started off with Nia Jax dominating both Sasha and Bayley for a few minutes. Bayley fought back and tagged in Sasha. Nia once again laid out both Bayley and Sasha. Nia isolated Bayley in the corner and tagged in Charlotte. The crowd chanted “stupid face” as Charlotte beatdown Bayley. Bayley launched Charlotte into the turnbuckle and tagged in Sasha. Banks hit a Hurricanrana and followed it up with a Dropkick to Charlotte’s face. Bayley then got back into the match and Bayley hit a few chops on Charlotte as she was in the corner. Dana Brooke tried to grab Bayley’s leg but was late and completely missed. Bayley then launched Charlotte out of the ring. Raw went to a commercial break after Bayley hit Dana Brook with a Bayley to Belly outside the ring.
When Raw returned, Charlotte and Nia were back in control of the match. Sasha Dropkicked Nia Jax in the leg three times but Nia shrugged it off and nailed Banks with a headbutt. Sasha fought back with a series of slaps but Nia slammed Sasha to the mat and hit two Elbow Drops. Charlotte was then tagged in and she beatdown Sasha. Michael Cole announced that Dana Brooke was no longer ringside and had suffered a rib injury due to the Bayley to Belly. Sasha fought back and knocked Charlotte to the mat. Sasha then tagged in Bayley and she leveled Charlotte with a Clothesline. Bayley connected with a German Suplex for a one count. Charlotte tagged in Nia. Charlotte was on the ring apron and Bayley leveled her with a right hand. Nia then ran into Bayley and knocked her to the mat. Nia then Body Slammed Sasha onto Bayley and followed it up with a Leg Drop on Bayley for the victory.
Winners: Charlotte & Nia Jax
Braun Strowman demanded a contract signing for his match against Roman Reigns at Fastlane.
Big Cass vs Luke Gallows
Cass controlled pretty much the entire match. Karl Anderson attacked Enzo outside the ring but Enzo fought back and launched Anderson into the steel steps. Cass then connected with a boot to the face of Gallows for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Big Cass
Sheamus vs Titus O’Neil
Earlier in the evening, Titus O’Neil wanted to become Sheamus’ new tag team partner. Sheamus tried to walk away but Titus grabbed him. Sheamus then tossed Titus onto a table with cake on it. Titus attacked Sheamus before the match even started. The referee called for the bell and Sheamus immediately hit the Brogue Kick for the victory.
Winner: Sheamus
Reaction: Why? What did the WWE Universe do to deserve this?
Seth Rollins was interviewed by Corey Graves. Rollins stated that his MCL tear was worse than he initially thought. Rollins claimed that maybe he deserved this injury because he made so many excuses in the past. A group of morons started chanting CM Punk for no reason. Graves then asked Rollins if he was going to miss Wrestlemania and the crowd chanted “yes!” for no reason. Rollins claimed that the doctors will most likely not clear him in time for Wrestlemania. Triple H interrupted and told Rollins that he will not be at Wrestlemania. Samoa Joe then showed up ringside. Triple H said that Rollins absolutely deserved this injury because he turned his back on him. Triple H said that Rollins is washed up and called him worthless. Triple H said that if Rollins shows up at Wrestlemania it will be the last thing Rollins ever does in a WWE ring. Rollins then announced that he will be at Wrestlemania and threatened Triple H.
Reaction: Thumbs up for the promo. Thumbs down for the crowd. Finally, there was a good segment on this episode of Raw and people in the audience were chanting for CM Punk. It has been years since CM Punk left the WWE. If he comes back in the future, that would be awesome. It would be nice if everyone would move on with their lives for now or simply rewatch old episodes of Raw where CM Punk is on the show. I would kind of get it if the chant occurred during the Sheamus and Titus match. I have no idea why people would chant that during a Seth Rollins promo with major Wrestlemania implications. Entertaining segments on Monday Night Raw are very rare. I would prefer if they would not be ruined by morons in the crowd.
As for the promo, it was very good. Rollins did say that he will be at Wrestlemania but the match hasn’t been made official. Triple H warned Rollins not to call him out at Wrestlemania. I’m not sure if this will lead to a match or something else at Wrestlemania. It all depends on whether Rollins is healthy enough to compete at the biggest show of the year.
Big Show vs Shining Stars
Big Show hit a couple of Chokeslams and won the match.
Winner: Big Show
Reaction: Why? What did the WWE Universe do to deserve this?
Neville & Tony Nese vs TJ Perkins & Jack Gallagher
Neville dominated early and tagged in Nese. Tony then got his ass kicked for a couple of minutes and Neville abandoned him in the ring. Gallagher then submitted Nese for the victory. Gallagher and Neville stared at each other after the match.
Winners: Jack Gallagher & TJ Perkins
Sasha and Bayley were backstage when Stephanie McMahon approached them. Stephanie announced that Sasha will face Nia Jax this Sunday at WWE Fastlane.
Cesaro vs Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe stormed to the ring. Cesaro lifted Joe and hit a Suplex. Joe shoved Cesaro out of the ring and Cesaro tweaked his left knee. Joe then targeted the knee of Cesaro for the next couple of minutes. Raw went to a commercial break with Samoa Joe in control of the match. When Raw returned, Cesaro planted Joe with a Suplex but was still favoring his knee. Joe got back to his feet and once again targeted Cesaro’s knee. Joe applied a Knee Bar but Cesaro rolled through and went for a Sharpshooter. Joe blocked it and punched Cesaro in the face a couple of times. Cesaro responded by connecting with a series of uppercuts. Joe battled back and picked up the victory.
After the match, Samoa Joe was interviewed. Joe warned everyone in the back that he will destroy them if they get in his way. Sami Zayn then attacked Joe. Security guards separated them but Zayn broke free and flipped off off the stage onto Samoa Joe. It was then announced that Sami Zayn will face Samoa Joe at WWE Fastlane this Sunday.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Mick Foley was in the ring for the contract signing between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. Foley stated that this contract signing is being held because Strowman demanded it because he believes that Roman Reigns will back out of their match. Foley said that he could not envision a scenario where Roman Reigns would back out of the match and Braun Strowman interrupted and stormed to the ring. Strowman said that Foley brought the paperwork and his purpose here was done. Strowman demanded that Foley leave and Foley told Strowman that he wasn’t leaving. Strowman called Foley pathetic and said that Stephanie was right about Foley, he is not the man he used to be. Foley then lost it and told Strowman that he needs to respect Foley as a legend. Foley said that Strowman will learn to respect him or else. Strowman then knocked the microphone out of Foley’s hands and Roman Reigns came down to the ring.
Strowman met him outside the ring and launched him over the steel steps. Roman then hit the Superman Punch on Strowman and went for a second one but Braun caught him and drove him into the ring post. Braun then threw Roman over the barricade and the two Superstars battled in the crowd. Reigns connected with another Superman Punch and then Speared Strowman through the barricade. A security guard was also hit with the Spear and fell down beside Strowman. A “Roman!” chant broke out in the crowd as Reigns held the contract in the middle of the ring. Strowman then got back up and shouted “is that all you got?!”. Strowman got back in the ring and Reigns hit another Superman Punch. Reigns went for another Spear but Strowman launched Reigns into the turnbuckle and it broke and the top rope fell to the mat. Reigns then got back up and signed the contract as Strowman laughed on the entrance ramp.
Reaction: This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw ended strong with the Reigns and Strowman segment. Having said that, this episode of Raw left a lot to be desired. In my opinion, the opening promo between Goldberg and Kevin Owens was nothing special. The Triple H and Rollins segment was the highlight of the show but that match isn’t set in stone yet. There are a lot of matches on the Fastlane card that I simply do not care about and obviously I watch every episode of Raw. This seems to be a constant problem with the WWE and I believe it is inexcusable. Most people agree that Monday Night Raw is too long at three hours. There is far too much filler on every single episode. Yet, the WWE has all this time every single week and they fail to develop enough interesting storylines to get a lot of their audience invested in the feuds.
The Raw Tag Team Division is the biggest example of that. Gallows and Anderson fought Roman Reigns for no reason a couple of weeks in a row and now they are defending their titles against Enzo & Cass at Fastlane. Why does a Tag Team Championship feel rushed when Raw has had time to build up to Fastlane? Enzo & Cass have been stuck in the same place for so long that it feels completely random that they are in the title picture right now. It also feels like a miracle has taken place whenever Gallows and Anderson win a match. Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn have had a real build up to their match. Charlotte and Bayley also have a solid build but it appears obvious that Charlotte will be leaving Fastlane with the Raw Women’s Championship. Sometimes the PPVs with the worst builds wind up being excellent. While that may turn out to be the case this Sunday, I have low expectations for WWE Fastlane. I just find that to be disappointing, especially on the road to Wrestlemania.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
