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WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (8/1)

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw kicked off with Sasha Banks coming out to a great reaction from the Atlanta crowd. It wasn’t long before Charlotte interrupted Sasha and began to trash talk her. Charlotte claimed that last week on Raw was a “one night stand” and that Sasha Banks couldn’t defeat her again. Sasha then stated that Charlotte’s father is Ric Flair and if it wasn’t for a one night stand, Charlotte probably wouldn’t be standing in the ring. After that great insult, Jericho comes down to the ring to defend Charlotte. Jericho tossed a couple insults Banks’ way and this prompted Enzo Amore to come down to the ring. Enzo Amore began to flirt with Sasha Banks and then traded insults with Jericho. Eventually, Mick Foley came down to the ring and made a mixed tag team match that everyone assumed was going to happen while the four Superstars were standing in the ring for 20 minutes. There were definitely some funny moments in this promo but it dragged on and on. In the end there is only one word to describe this promo and I’m going to spell it out for you, L-O-N-G.

Chris Jericho & Charlotte vs Enzo Amore & Sasha Banks

Kevin Owens joined commentary for this match and his reason being that he wanted to provide some entertainment for those who just watched Enzo and Sasha flirt for 15 minutes in the ring. Sasha Banks and Enzo Amore were dominating early. Banks and Amore Clotheslined both Jericho and Charlotte outside of the ring. Throughout the matchup, Owens continued to bash Enzo and claimed that he would knock him out in a second if he faced him. After a commercial break, Jericho and Charlotte had taken control of the match. Sasha Banks had regained momentum for her team, but Dana Brooke ran down to the ring and distracted her. This allowed Charlotte to hit the Natural Selection for the victory. After the match, Jericho hit a Codebreaker on Amore which led to Big Cass coming down to the ring. Jericho pretended like he was going to face off with Cass but rolled out of the ring the moment Cass got into the ring.

Winners: Chris Jericho & Charlotte

Reaction: Even though the promo went on too long, it had some very funny moments. It certainly didn’t feel like your typical “PG” promo everyone has to sit through each week. The match itself was very entertaining and I’m curious to see where this goes. Kevin Owens was bashing Amore on commentary during the match and Jericho attacked him once the match concluded. Later on Monday Night Raw, Kevin Owens told Jericho that he has his back against Enzo and Cass. I’m assuming we are heading towards a tag team match at Summerslam. It is either that or Jericho vs Amore and Owens vs Big Cass in Brooklyn on August 21st.

https://twitter.com/johncenaAm/status/760271121744822272

Braun Strowman vs Evan Anderholm

Anderholm was interviewed by Byron Saxton right before the match. Anderholm revealed that he he won the match he would get $5,000 and if he lost he would get $1,000. Braun Strowman then came down to the ring and completely dominated Anderholm for the easy victory. Congratulations on the thousand bucks, Mr. Anderholm.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Mark Henry chats with Foley and Stephanie McMahon backstage. He will be representing the WWE at the Olympics in Rio. Henry stated that he feels like he needs one more run at gold and Foley agreed with him. Foley announced that Henry will be facing off against Rusev later on for the United States Championship.

Golden Truth vs The Shining Stars

The Shining Stars picked up the victory because R-Truth was playing Pokemon Go and didn’t help Goldust in the match. This was completely pointless.

Winners: The Shining Stars

Michael Cole was going to interview Finn Balor in the ring, but Seth Rollins immediately interrupted. Rollins praised Balor on his accomplishments, but then followed it up by stating that he already accomplished those things and did it better in the process. Rollins then went on to insult the Atlanta Braves and the crowd responded by taking over the segment for a brief moment with the Tomahawk Chop. Seth Rollins then responded with “your team sucks, just face it” and the crowd became quiet once again. Balor claimed that at Summerslam he will become the first ever WWE Universal Champion. Rollins responded with his patented maniacal laugh and tried to land a cheap shot on Finn but Balor countered. Balor sent Rollins flying out of the ring and Seth retreated as Balor celebrated in the ring.

Reaction: Seth Rollins did most of the heavy lifting in this promo and Balor delivered the few lines he had effectively. This was a solid promo to hype up the match between Rollins and Balor at Summerslam.

United States Championship Match: Mark Henry vs Rusev (c)

Mark Henry was in control of this match in the beginning, much to the surprise of Rusev. However, once Raw came back from commercial break, Rusev had taken control. Rusev hit Henry with a brutal kick to the back of the head. Rusev then locked in The Accolade and Mark Henry tapped out.After the match, Rusev poked fun at Mark Henry and stated that the only reason that American athletes win at the Olympics is because they are rigged. Rusev was screaming in Russian in the ring when Roman Reigns interrupted. The way Rusev was talking it seemed to get a lot of people’s hopes up that Kurt Angle would come out to confront Rusev but that was not the case. Reigns walked right up to Rusev and stared him down. Rusev tried to exit the ring but Reigns wouldn’t let him. Rusev pretended like he was going to exit the ring but turned around and hit a couple cheap shots on Reigns. Roman responded with a Spear and then a Superman Punch off of the steel steps outside the ring. Rusev then retreated as Roman Reigns stood tall holding the United States Championship outside the ring.

Winner and still United States Champion: Rusev

Reaction: I’m already sold on this feud. Rusev versus Roman Reigns for the United States Championship sounds like an excellent match to me.

https://twitter.com/CMPuLs3/status/760285954418548736

Darren Young vs Titus O’Neil

Titus was demolishing Darren Young for pretty much the entire match. Titus O’Neil went for a roll-up and grabbed Darren Young’s tights during the pinfall. Backstage, Bob Backlund was screaming at Titus O’Neil and Titus stated that if he doesn’t calm down he would knock him out. Darren Young came flying in and punched Titus in the face.

Winner: Titus O’Neil

Reaction: Titus O’Neil as a heel > Titus O’Neil as a face.

Nia Jax vs Ariel Monroe

Much like the Strowman match earlier, this was complete destruction by Nia Jax. Nia hit a gigantic slam and quickly pinned Monroe.

Winner: Nia Jax

The New Day vs Gallows & Anderson

Xavier Woods came out for the promo at the beginning of the match but exited as soon as the match started in order to make it a two on two match. This match ended rather quickly with Big E rolling up Anderson. However, The Club proceeded to lay a brutal beatdown on all of the members of The New Day. Big E suffered the worst fate. The Club hit Big E with the Magic Killer and then capped the assault with wrapping Big E around the ring post in a very painful way. Yikes.

Cesaro vs Sheamus

Earlier on Raw, Sheamus was complaining to Foley and Stephanie about how he should have been given a shot at the United States Championship, rather than Mark Henry. Cesaro then joined the party and claimed that he deserves a title shot before Sheamus. Foley then made this match and stated that whomever is more impressive will be rewarded with a title shot in the future. This match was back and forth with Cesaro hitting Uppercuts and Sheamus landing some kicks and knees. Sheamus looked to be regaining control of the match but he was met with a Gotch Neutralizer out of nowhere. After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro brawled on the entrance ramp until security broke up the fight.

Winner: Cesaro

Reaction: It appears that Cesaro will get a title shot in the future. It was not clarified what title he would be vying for, but one can hope it will be the WWE Universal Championship.The odds are more likely that Cesaro will be chasing the United States Championship in the near future.

Heather Slater then appeared in the middle of the ring with the returning Jinder Mahal. Heath Slater was once again complaining that neither roster had signed him. Mick Foley then came out and stated that a match was going to take place right now and the winner will get a contract to join the Monday Night Raw roster.

Jinder Mahal vs Heath Slater

Heath Slater was still babbling on the microphone and claiming that a contract wasn’t going to separate two brothers. Right when he turned around he was greeted with a kick in the face by Jinder Mahal.

Winner and New Member of the Raw Roster: Jinder Mahal

Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn

There were dueling Sami Zayn and Seth Rollins chants from the Atlanta crowd in the beginning of the match. Rollins controlled the match all the way up until a commercial break and when Raw returned Rollins was still in control. Rollins hit a Powerbomb on Zayn into the turnbuckle but Zayn responded with a big Clothesline out of nowhere. Sami Zayn then hit a Blue Thunder Bomb but Rollins was able to kick out at two. Seth Rollins went for the Pedigree but Zayn countered with a Tornado DDT. Rollins was then knocked out of the ring and Zayn went flying over the top rope on top of Rollins. The action spilled back into the ring and Zayn went for the Helluva Kick on a dazed Rollins in the corner but Rollins rolled out of the way. Rollins then hit the Pedigree on Zayn for the victory. After the match, Rollins again taunted the crowd by doing a Tomahawk Chop of his own.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Reaction: This was a solid match that showed of the talents of both performers. Rollins needed this win to gain some momentum heading into his match with Finn Balor for the Universal Championship at Summerslam.

Raw returned from a commercial break with Paul Heyman standing in the middle of the ring. Heyman stated that he knows the entire WWE Universe has been waiting for Brock Lesnar for the past few hours and that he wasn’t going to waste any more time. Lesnar then came down to the ring and joined Heyman. The crowd greeted Lesnar with a “Suplex City” chant. Heyman claimed that at Summerslam, Brock Lesnar will entertain the WWE Universe by using violence. Heyman went on to state that the voices in Randy Orton’s head should be telling him that he is going to be dragged to Suplex City at Summerslam. Heyman claimed that Randy Orton would never hit an RKO on Brock Lesnar. It was at this moment that Randy Orton came in from the crowd and hit an RKO out of nowhere on Lesnar. Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon then came out and called for security, but Orton escaped through the crowd. Orton then posed in the crowd as Lesnar smiled in the ring.

Reaction: It was good to see Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar back in the WWE. I felt like the Lesnar and Orton feud needed some more hype and this promo certainly accomplished that.

What did you think of this week’s Monday Night Raw? Let us know in the comments below.

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