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7 Takeaways From WWE RAW (1/15)

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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The January 15th episode of WWE RAW aired live from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX. Here are 7 takeaways from this week’s edition of WWE RAW:

Braun Strowman Was Fired & Then Rehired An Hour Later


RAW kicked off with footage of Braun Strowman knocking part of the stage over onto Brock Lesnar and Kane last week. Strowman then made his way down to the ring to a great reaction from the San Antonio crowd.

Braun informed the crowd that he wanted to tell them all a short story with a happy ending. Strowman stated a Beast and a Machine met a Monster at the Royal Rumble and the last one standing was the Monster Among Men and he became the new Universal Champion.

RAW GM Kurt Angle interrupted and made his way down to the ring with several security guards. Strowman said that he was telling the audience a story and Angle responded that he had a story too, but it doesn’t having a happy ending. Angle claimed that Strowman has created an unsafe working environment for every WWE Superstar and every employee in the back.

Strowman claimed that he did his job last week but Angle disagreed. Angle stated that WWE Superstars settle things in the ring, not backstage with a grappling hook. Strowman added that he does whatever he wants and once again guaranteed that he will become Universal Champion at Royal Rumble.

Kurt Angle then fired Braun Strowman and left the ring. Strowman got out of the ring and marched backstage as security guards followed him.

Braun was shown backstage muttering to himself and then turned his attention to a security guard. Strowman dared the guard to make him leave as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Braun was still walking around backstage. Braun approached an exit and the guard told him to leave. Strowman attacked the guards and beat them down. One of them tried to run away but Braun caught him and threw him over a barricade and through a table. Braun shouted “I’m not leaving until everybody gets these hands!”.

Braun later booted down Angle’s door to his office and started whipping things around as the RAW GM was nowhere to be found. Poor Curt Hawkins got dismantled by Strowman backstage as he continued to search for Angle. A catering employee got quite lucky as Strowman didn’t attack him and instead took a bite of cake.

Angle was shown in his destroyed office and stated that he didn’t have any alternative but to call the police. An official showed up and informed Angle that Strowman has heading towards the production trucks. Angle shouted “oh God they are worth 12 million dollars!” as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Strowman was once again shown backstage. Strowman entered the television trucks and started shouting at the employees. Braun threatened to shut everything down but had no idea what any of the technical equipment did. Strowman exited the production truck and then flipped another truck as Angle shouted at him to stop.

Braun marched towards the entrance ramp as Kurt Angle got a phone call. Strowman turned his attention to the announce team and grabbed Michael Cole. Strowman lifted Cole in the air as Angle sprinted to entrance ramp. Angle stated that he called off the cops because Stephanie McMahon rehired him. Strowman grabbed Michael Cole and threw him onto the security guards next to the entrance ramp. Strowman raised his fists in the air and celebrated before finally heading backstage.

Strowman is one of the most popular Superstars in WWE right now. I think he should be Universal Champion right now, but the title is still stuck on Brock Lesnar. I would love to see Strowman win the title at Royal Rumble and continue to be dominant on RAW every week. I doubt that is going to happen though, as WWE most likely wants to have Lesnar hold the belt until WrestleMania.

Jason Jordan Cost The Bar Their Match

Cesaro and Sheamus faced Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil tonight on RAW. Apollo Crews was immediately isolated in the corner. Sheamus and Cesaro took turns beating down Crews for a bit.

Crews battled back and delivered a Dropkick to Sheamus before tagging in Titus. O’Neil leveled Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and then posed in the ring. Cesaro distracted Titus for a moment and Sheamus took control of the match. Cesaro tagged in and hit Titus with a couple of chops and the crowd chanted “you look stupid!” at Sheamus. Titus battled back and delivered a few chops across the chest to Cesaro.

Titus slammed Cesaro to the canvas and tagged Crews back in. Crews dropped an elbow on Cesaro for a two count. Cesaro escaped a Suplex and tagged in Sheamus. Sheamus connected with a Clothesline off the top rope as RAW went to a break.

When RAW returned, Sheamus and Cesaro had Crews isolated in the corner. Sheamus hit a Backbreaker and Cesaro connected with an Elbow Drop for a two count. Sheamus applied a Chin Lock to Crews in the middle of the ring.

Crews broke free and hit a Dropkick and then tagged in Titus. Cesaro was tagged in as well but O’Neil beat the hell out of him in the corner. Titus connected with a Splash and then a Powerslam for a two count.

Sheamus tagged in and booted O’Neil in the face. Cesaro hit Crews with an uppercut and Sheamus followed it up with a Clothesline. Cesaro and Crews tagged in. Crews hit a Crossbody off the top rope for a two count. Sheamus & Cesaro threw Titus out of the ring and teamed up on Crews.

Jason Jordan came down to the entrance ramp and started walking towards the ring. Crews capitilized on the distraction and rolled up Sheamus for the pinfall victory. Seth Rollins joined Jordan on the entrance ramp and started arguing with him. Rollins was unaware of Jordan’s plan to cost The Bar the match.

Sheamus and Cesaro will get their rematch for the RAW Tag Team Championships at the Royal Rumble PPV on January 28th. Jordan and Rollins don’t seem to be on the same page at all and I wouldn’t be surprised if that costs them the titles in a couple of weeks.

Cedric Alexander Has All The Momentum Before His Title Match At Royal Rumble

Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore limped his way down to the ring with Tony Nese. Amore cut a promo on Cedric Alexander. Cedric interrupted with Goldust by his side. Goldust stated that if Enzo were a film he would go straight to DVD. Goldust claimed that Cedric Alexander was a box office smash and will go on to defeat Enzo at Royal Rumble to become the new Cruiserweight Championship. Alexander grabbed the microphone and said that Enzo was sawft.

Nese and Alexander then faced off and Nese controlled the match early. Alexander battled back and slammed Nese face-first into the mat. Alexander hit a springboard Clothesline and went for the cover but Tony kicked out at two.

Nese got Cedric in a Headlock but Cedric quickly escaped. Cedric then hit the Lumbar Check for the pinfall victory. Enzo limped away as Goldust and Alexander taunted him.

Tony Nese and Cedric Alexander are both excellent in-ring performers. Unfortunately, the same problem continues to plague the Cruiserweight division. The crowd just doesn’t care at all. If Alexander does win the title at Royal Rumble, the division would at least have a legitimate champion. It is bizarre to see Goldust in the role of Alexander’s sidekick and I doubt it is going to generate any more interest in this feud. At this point, 205 Live feels like a lost cause. I’d like to see it succeed but feuds like this one really aren’t accomplishing anything for the brand.

Asuka’s Win Streak Continued Due To An Injury To Nia Jax

Nia Jax faced Asuka tonight on RAW. Nia controlled the match early and launched Asuka across the ring. Asuka wrapped her legs around Nia and extended Nia’s arm. Nia broke free and planted Asuka with a Backbreaker.

Nia showed off her strength and launched Asuka across the ring once again. Asuka battled back with a flurry of punches but was dropped by a Clothesline from Jax. Asuka caught Nia in an Arm Bar but Jax broke free and threw Asuka into the turnbuckle as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Asuka escaped a Samoan Drop and rolled up Nia for a one count. Asuka went for a kick but Jax caught her and planted her with a Powerbomb. Nia went for the cover but Asuka kicked out and Nia became frustrated.

Asuka locked in a Knee Bar in the middle of the ring. Nia fought through the pain and reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Jax knocked Asuka out of the ring and then followed her out there. Nia slammed Asuka into the ring apron and then started walking up the steps. Asuka booted Nia in the back of the leg and Nia fell to the floor.

The action returned to the ring as Nia was favoring her left leg. Nia tried to get up but her leg gave out and the referee stopped the match. Alexa Bliss came down to the ring to check on Nia Jax.

Later during the show, Bliss and Nia Jax were shown backstage. Bliss apologized for getting Nia Jax into this. Enzo Amore showed up and Bliss tried to get him to leave. Nia asked Bliss to leave and Amore told Nia that he was sorry she got hurt.

It is looking like Bliss is going to have to defend her RAW Women’s Championship against Asuka in the near future and she is running out of ways to tilt the odds in her favor. There isn’t really anything interesting about the storyline relationship between Enzo Amore and Nia Jax right now.

Reigns Dominated The Miztourage

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Roman Reigns faced Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel in a Handicap match tonight on RAW. The Miz was ringside for the match and got involved in the action early. Dallas and Axel took turns beating down Reigns in the corner. Axel applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as The Miz taunted Reigns ringside.

Reigns broke free and blasted Dallas in the face with a series of right hands. Axel tagged himself in and attacked Roman. Reigns planted Axel with a Samoan Drop and both Superstars fell to the canvas.

Reigns drove Axel into the turnbuckle and then geared up for the Superman Punch but The Miz leaped up onto the ring apron. Reigns launched Dallas out of the ring and then hit Axel with a Superman Punch. Reigns got out of the ring and leaped off the steel steps for a Superman Punch. The Miz avoided it by shoving Bo Dallas in the way. The action returned to the ring and Reigns connected with a Spear to Axel for the pinfall victory.

Roman Reigns will defend his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz at the 25th anniversary of RAW next week. I’m guessing that this feud will wind up continuing at the Royal Rumble, unless WWE decides not to have the IC Title defended at the PPV.

Sonya Deville Picked Up A Big Victory Over Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks faced Sonya Deville on RAW tonight. Bayley, Mickie James, Paige and Mandy Rose were all ringside for the match.

Rose distracted Banks as the match started and Deville took control with a knee to the midsection. Banks battled back and leaped off the second rope but Deville booted her in the ribs for the pinfall victory.

It was also announced that Paige will not be able to compete in the women’s Royal Rumble during the match.

PWInsider reported this past week that Paige’s in-ring career in WWE is likely over after suffering an injury at a live event last month. For now, she is still a part of RAW as the leader of Absolution, but is not performing in the ring. Deville’s rather easy victory over Sasha Banks surprised me. It appears that WWE has completely given up on Bayley and I have no idea what they are doing with Sasha Banks now. I thought both Banks and Bayley were going to be stars on RAW, but both seem directionless right now.

Jason Jordan Ensured A Victory For Seth Rollins

Jason Jordan approached Kurt Angle backstage in his destroyed office. Jordan thanked Angle for believing in him. Jordan stated that Rollins’ loss last week has been eating him alive and asked for Angle to put Rollins in a singles match tonight. Jordan suggested that Rollins face Finn Balor tonight and Angle agreed to make the match.

Later on RAW, Seth Rollins had a conversation with Jason Jordan backstage. Rollins told Jordan that they are teammates and that he didn’t have a problem with what Jordan did, he had a problem with how he did it.

Seth Rollins faced Finn Balor in the main event of RAW. Gallows, Anderson and Jason Jordan were ringside for the match. Balor controlled the match early and knocked Rollins out of the ring. Balor punted Seth’s head from the ring apron as RAW went to a commercial break.

When RAW returned, Seth had taken back control of the match in the ring. Balor quickly battled back and connected with a stomp to Rollins’ chest. Rollins missed with a Phoenix Splash and Balor Dropkicked Seth into the turnbuckle. Rollins connected with a Superplex to Finn and rolled through and planted Balor with a Falcon Arrow.

Sheamus and Cesaro came down to the ringside area and chased after Jason Jordan.  Jason escaped and a brawl broke out between Gallows & Anderson and The Bar. Finn Balor leaped out of the ring and landed on everyone. Balor missed with the Coupe de Grace and then Jason Jordan tripped Finn up. Rollins then hit the Curb Stomp for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Balor was shown shaken up from being slammed into the mat face-first by Rollins. Balor rolled Rollins up during the match and had the match won but the referee botched the count.

Balor and Rollins put on a great match to end RAW and it was good to see the Curb Stomp back. Graves referred to the move as the “Blackout” when Rollins hit. Rollins didn’t notice that Jason Jordan tripped up Balor during the match and I’m sure he won’t be happy with Jordan once he finds out that he interfered.

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