This week’s Raw kicked off with Stephanie McMahon announcing that Mick Foley had the night off. The Chicago crowd began to chant “CM Punk!” and Stephanie McMahon shut them down quickly. Stephanie stated that if the crowd could keep the chant up for 2 minutes and 15 more seconds they would last one second longer than CM Punk did in his UFC fight. Seth Rollins interrupted and the crowd greeted him with a nice response.
Seth Rollins asked Stephanie is she gave Triple H his manhood back for Christmas? Rollins went on to bash Triple H and once again begged Triple H to come down to the ring. Rollins stated that Stephanie McMahon is controlling Triple H and when it is all said and done, Triple H will be remembered as the biggest coward of all time. Stephanie claimed that her husband will be more of a champion than Rollins will ever be.
Rollins then stated that he wanted a match tonight against Braun Strowman. Roman Reigns then interrupted and the crowd booed him as usual. The crowd then started a chant of “please don’t talk!”. Roman Reigns also asked for a match against Strowman. Rollins then told Reigns that he asked for the match first. Rollins and Reigns then stated that they will work together and Powerbomb Strowman through a table.
Stephanie McMahon then got too excited and wanted to be a part of it. Stephanie then said that Dean Ambrose may be in the area and that they should have a full Shield reunion tonight. Stephanie then stated that wouldn’t happen and taunted the Chicago crowd. Stephanie then announced that Rollins will face Strowman tonight. Stephanie also announced that Roman Reigns will defend his United States Championship tonight against an opponent of her choosing.
Reaction: The shot Stephanie McMahon took at CM Punk to shut up the crowd was awesome. It is a bummer that the most noise a crowd makes at a WWE show is chanting for a wrestler that is no longer with the company. This always happens in Chicago but it still is apparent that the WWE has struggled to find the next star that can generate as much excitement as CM Punk did in his run with WWE. Tonight’s Raw started off well with this promo and the Tag Team Championship match immediately following it.
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs New Day
Kofi and Xavier Woods started off the match on the offensive. Kingston trapped Cesaro in the corner and stomped him several times. Woods then entered the match and did the same thing. Woods and Kofi proceeded to take turns beating the hell out of Cesaro in the corner. Big E cheered them on from outside the ring. Kofi and Woods then landed a couple of Dropkicks on Cesaro.
Cesaro knocked Woods to the mat with a big uppercut. The referee got distracted and Sheamus knocked Woods out of the ring as Raw went to a commercial break. When Raw returned, Sheamus and Cesaro remained in control of the match. Sheamus knocked Kofi off of the apron and then tagged in Cesaro. Woods went to tag in Kofi but he on the floor outside of the ring. Cesaro landed a knee off of the top rope onto the head of Woods.
Cesaro got knocked out of the ring and Woods connected with a Tornado DDT off of the ring apron. Sheamus rolled Cesaro back into the ring and tagged himself in. Woods tagged in Kingston and Kofi immediately leaped off of the top rope onto Sheamus. Kofi then flipped out of the ring onto Cesaro. Back in the ring, Kingston landed the SOS to Sheamus but Sheamus kicked out at two.
Woods tagged back in the match and landed an Elbow Drop off of the top rope. Woods went for a pinfall but Cesaro broke it up at two. Cesaro then tagged himself in and applied the Cesaro Swing to Woods. Big E got up on the ring apron but Cesaro responded by launching Kingston into him. Sheamus tagged himself in and Woods never noticed it. Woods went for a roll up but Sheamus landed a Brogue Kick to Woods for the victory.
Winner & Still Raw Tag Team Champions: Sheamus & Cesaro
Reaction: Sheamus and Cesaro remain the Raw Tag Team Champions and the New Day now drops to the back of the line. I enjoyed this match and I also like that the New Day are now chasing the titles. Tonight’s loss should mean that they are out of the title picture for a bit and that is a good thing. The New Day is still very popular but their act got a little stale as the Tag Team Champions. In theory, this should allow the other teams on Raw a shot at Sheamus and Cesaro. The problem with that is that there aren’t any other teams on Raw with any momentum right now. Hopefully, the WWE can build up some of the other teams in the next few weeks heading into the Royal Rumble.
Braun Strowman was backstage and he bumped into Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. Owens and Jericho made up a bunch of rumors to pump up Strowman for his match later against Rollins. Jericho stated that Rollins claimed that Strowman didn’t defeat Sami Zayn at Roadblock because he was a stupid idiot. Strowman stated that rumors are crap and so are you (in reference to Owens and Jericho). Owens and Jericho agreed that rumors were crap and Strowman walked away.
R-Truth and Goldust were backstage having a conversation. Bayley interrupted and gave Goldust a Bayley Bear dressed as Dusty Rhodes. Bayley claimed that she wouldn’t have made it to the WWE without the guidance she received in NXT from Dusty. Gallows and Anderson then showed up as Bayley walked away. They then proceeded to rip off the teddy bear’s head and walked away. Goldust was visibly pissed off and Raw went to a commercial break.
Nia Jax vs Scarlet
Scarlet was wearing a Sasha Banks shirt and stated before the match that Sasha Banks was her role model. Nia Jax demolished her and quickly won the match. After the match, Nia Jax told Scarlet to find a better role model and beat her down some more.
Winner: Nia Jax
Stephanie McMahon was shown shaking hands with Charlotte backstage. Charlotte walked away and Owens and Jericho showed up. Owens wanted to make an official complaint against Mick Foley for giving Roman Reigns another shot at the Universal Championship. Jericho then stated that he didn’t wanted to be suspended above the ring in the shark cage. Stephanie McMahon announced that Roman Reigns will be defending his United States Championship against Kevin Owens in the main event. Chris Jericho didn’t seem to pleased that he was not going to be in the match.
Bayley came down to the ring and cut a promo. Bayley stated that she wanted a shot at Charlotte’s Raw Women’s Championship. Charlotte then interrupted and stated that Bayley didn’t beat her last week. A video then was shown on the jumbotron that revealed that Charlotte’s left shoulder wasn’t on the mat last week during the backslide pin. Charlotte revealed that Stephanie McMahon had that match removed from the record books and that technically that match never happened. Charlotte then went on to state that Bayley needed to defeat her in a match to become the number one contender. It was then revealed that the special referee for the match would be Dana Brooke.
Charlotte vs Bayley w/ Special Referee Dana Brooke
Charlotte started out the match in control. Bayley got frustrated with Dana Brooke and attacked her. Another referee came down to the ring and Bayley gained control of the match. Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly but Dana Brooke dragged the referee out of the ring. Charlotte then rolled up Bayley and put her feet on the ropes for leverage. Dana Brooke then counted to three quickly and Charlotte won the match.
Winner: Charlotte
Reaction: Obviously, Bayley will get another shot at Charlotte in the future. This match was quick and predictable. Is Dana Brooke just going to fade in and out as Charlotte’s lackey forever? She has barely been on the show lately so her just showing up as the referee felt completely random.
Stephanie McMahon and Braun Strowman had a conversation backstage. Strowman demanded a match with Sami Zayn but Stephanie stated that Zayn was nowhere to be found. Stephanie guaranteed Strowman a match against Zayn next week. Strowman stated that he wanted that match to be a Last Man Standing match. Stephanie agreed and made that match for next week’s Raw. Stephanie then asked Strowman to take out his frustrations on Seth Rollins tonight and destroy him.
Reaction: I wouldn’t be surprised if Sami Zayn showed up in the Rollins and Strowman match later tonight. Also, is the WWE trying to set the record for the most times Stephanie McMahon has been featured in a promo? She has been on the show way too much tonight.
Neville vs TJ Perkins
Austin Aries replaced Byron Saxton on commentary for this match. Shockingly, a dueling “lets go Neville!” and “TJP!” chant broke out in the audience. This is one of the first times on Raw there has been any crowd noise for a Cruiserweight match. Neville kicked Perkins off of the ring apron and Perkins fell out of the ring. Neville followed him and launched him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Neville slowed the match down and applied a Chinlock to Perkins.
TJ fought out of the hold and connected with a Dropkick that knocked Neville out of the ring. Perkins hit a Gutbuster onto Neville in the ring. Neville and Perkins traded punches in the ring as dueling “lets go TJ” and “TJ sucks” chants broke out in the Chicago crowd. Perkins went for the Knee Bar but Neville countered into a roll up. Neville grabbed the tights of Perkins for leverage and picked up the victory. Neville insulted American fans after the match. Neville challenged Swann to a match on 205 Live.
Winner: Neville
Reaction: I thought that Neville being a badass and destroying the Cruiserweight division was enough. I forgot that he speaks with an accent, thus he must hate America. Personally, I think the whole foreigner gimmick is tired but it still gets some members of the crowd fired up so I guess I cannot complain. I just don’t understand why there are so many writers for this show if this is the best they can come up with. Neville is now the King of the Cruiserweights and despises American fans. Time will tell if this gimmick will pan out for Neville. If he starts coming to the ring with a crown, everyone will know that the gimmick is a failure.
Enzo and Cass came down to the ring and Enzo Amore was in a wheelchair due to the attack last week from Rusev and Jinder Mahal. They proceeded to cut a promo on Rusev for the next several minutes. Finally, Rusev and Lana interrupted. Jinder Mahal then joined Rusev and the two surrounded Big Cass in the ring. Enzo then leaped from the wheelchair and attacked Mahal. Big Cass took out Rusev and then launched Enzo onto Mahal outside the ring and they both fell into the wheelchair.
Darren Young & Bo Dallas vs Shining Stars
This match was over quickly. Braun Strowman came down to the ring with a Christmas tree and hit Bo Dallas with it. Strowman then proceeded to beat the hell out everyone in the ring. Epico hit Strowman with a chair but it had no effect on him. Strowman then threw Darren Young into Backland outside the ring. Braun then grabbed the steel steps and threw them into the Shining Stars and Bo Dallas outside the ring. The crowd then chanted “thank you Strowman!” as Strowman stood tall in the ring.
Braun Strowman vs Seth Rollins
Strowman started off the match by hurling Rollins across the ring. Rollins tried to fight back but Braun connected with a vicious shoulder block that once again sent Rollins to the mat. Rollins landed a kick to the head of Strowman. Braun charged at Rollins but Seth got out of the way and Braun went shoulder first into the ring post. Rollins hit a knee off of the top rope and attempted a second one but Strowman caught him.
Braun perched Rollins on the top turnbuckle but Rollins battled back and hit a Blockbuster that sent Strowman to the mat for the first time in the match. Strowman got right up and launched Rollins out of the ring. Strowman then rolled Rollins back in the ring and Zayn’s music hit. Zayn emerged from the crowd and attacked Strowman from behind. Zayn threw Strowman into the ring post several times and then escaped through the crowd. Strowman chased after Zayn and Rollins was left alone in the ring. Chris Jericho then appeared and hit a Codebreaker on Rollins. Three referees tried to separate Jericho from Rollins but they failed miserably. Jericho hit another Codebreaker on Rollins and then posed in the ring.
Reaction: The best thing on Monday Night Raw right now is Braun Strowman. I wouldn’t have thought that was possible a month ago when Strowman was having squash match after squash match. However, Strowman has been made to look like an absolute monster these past few weeks. Strowman is not your typical giant in the WWE. He moves exceptionally well for his size and is improving weekly on the microphone. The sky is the limit for Strowman and I’ve really enjoyed how the WWE has presented him the past few weeks. I don’t envision a scenario in which Sami Zayn can defeat Strowman next week on Raw but I am looking forward to that match. Strowman has already been built up in such a way that if Zayn puts up a good fight the crowd will get behind him. The only thing that bothers me about that scenario is that I thought Zayn was past a match like that to be honest. He has had a solid run since joining the main roster but has been lost since the brand split. If putting up a good fight against Strowman means that it will help his character then I’m all for it. I just wish that the WWE had used the momentum that Zayn already had and reserved the Strowman match for someone new or a Superstar that hasn’t really gotten a shot on the main roster yet.
Ariya Daivari vs Rich Swann
Another incredibly quick Cruiserweight match. Rich Swann won in under two minutes. After the match, Rich Swann accepted Neville’s challenge for a match tomorrow night on 205 Live. Neville then appeared and attacked Swann from behind. Neville then hit the Red Arrow and left Swann laying in the ring. Daivari was interviewed backstage and he once again called Jack Gallagher a scoundrel. Gallagher then challenged Daivari to a duel on 205 Live.
Winner: Rich Swann
Reaction: I don’t understand the point of two minute Cruiserweight matches on Raw. The WWE is seemingly determined to only give the Cruiserweight division a few minutes every Monday night on Raw. The Neville attack and the Daivari/Gallagher promo after the match were entertaining.
United States Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs Kevin Owens
Reigns started off the match on the offensive. Jericho’s music hit and Jericho rushed to the ring. Reigns became distracted and Owens planted Reigns with a DDT. Raw went to a commercial break with Kevin Owens in control of the match as Jericho cheered him on. When Raw returned, Owens was still in control of the match. Owens took Roman Reigns to Chinlock City and the crowd started to chant “CM Punk!” again.
Reigns finally began to fight back and beatdown Owens in the corner. Owens quickly regained control of the match and connected with a Backstabber on Reigns. Reigns battled back and landed a massive Powerbomb on Owens in the middle of the ring. Reigns went for a pin but Owens kicked out at two. Reigns charged at Jericho on the ring apron and Owens hit a Codebreaker onto Reigns in the ring. Rollins then came down to the ring and hit a Pedigree onto Jericho outside the ring. Reigns then hit a Spear on Owens in the ring and won the match. Rollins and Reigns beat up Owens and Jericho after the match.
Winner & Still United States Champion: Roman Reigns
Reaction: The match itself was decent but the ending annoyed me. Has there ever been a champion that was made to look as weak as Kevin Owens does on a weekly basis? The guy cannot win a match all of the sudden. It is like the Universal Championship has made him incompetent in the ring. I understand the idea of a heel champion and that person doing whatever it takes to win the match. Usually, that involves a low-blow or a chair shot. Kevin Owens simply cannot win a match unless Jericho interferes. It was tired a month ago and we seeing the same storyline on Raw.
Also, why is Roman Reigns facing Kevin Owens again on Raw? They just had a match at Roadblock and are going to have another match at the Royal Rumble. How many times are they going to have the same match? It doesn’t make any sense. The Royal Rumble is a month away but here are the two possible scenarios. Someone is going to interfere and help Kevin Owens or Roman Reigns is going to win the match. There is absolutely no drama in this feud and Kevin Owens looks like a bumbling idiot every time he faces Reigns. Titles are supposed to help Superstars but I feel like the Universal Championship has been a burden on Kevin Owens. He has a few funny promos here and there but he is completely reliant on Chris Jericho. If Jericho was the Universal Champion and Kevin Owens was his buddy that helped win matches, would it matter? No. This is doing nothing for Kevin Owens and not too many people are clamoring for Roman Reigns to become Universal Champion.
I honestly do not understand what Monday Night Raw is trying to accomplish. I try my best to go into every week’s show with a clear mind and just hope it entertains me. Every single week I am left dumbfounded by what I just watched. The Universal Champion just got defeated once again in a meaningless match on Raw. He lost to the guy he will be defending the title against at the Royal Rumble. How am I supposed to convince myself that Kevin Owens has a shot against Roman Reigns at the Rumble? I’m just going to be staring at the screen waiting for someone to interfere. This week’s Raw started out solid and then devolved into the same old boring show we have all seen since the brand split. I’ll be making a video about tonight’s show on my website later tonight and you can check that out by clicking here if you’d like.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw? Let us know in the comments below.