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WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (1/2)

Robert Lentini
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WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (1/2)

This week’s Raw kicked off with GM Mick Foley addressing the WWE Universe. Foley was sporting a new haircut and went on to announce his New Year’s resolutions as GM of Raw. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho interrupted and joined Foley in the ring. Kevin Owens and Jericho once again started complaining about the fact that Jericho had to be locked in a shark cage above the ring at the Royal Rumble.

Owens complained about Roman Reigns getting another shot at the Universal Championship. Owens claimed that he wasn’t going to take it anymore because it is a new year. Mick Foley agreed and stated that it was a new year and he wanted to start things off on the right foot. Foley announced that tonight will be the premiere of the Kevin Owens Show and his first guest will be Goldberg. Owens and Jericho accused Foley of abusing his power and Stephanie McMahon came down to the ring.

Stephanie informed Owens and Jericho that Foley was not abusing his power and stated that Foley had every right to make that Universal Championship match at Royal Rumble. Stephanie McMahon announced that Roman Reigns will be defending his United States Championship tonight against Chris Jericho. If Roman Reigns is counted out or disqualified, he will lose the US title. Jericho asked for Rollins to be banned from ringside. Foley then lost it and said that if anyone should be banned from interfering it was Chris Jericho. Stephanie then said that she was sick of everyone and that she was angry because Smackdown defeated Raw in the ratings last week. Stephanie then made a match between Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins. The loser of that match will be banned from ringside during the United States Championship match later tonight.

Reaction: Foley’s haircut was interesting to say the least. I enjoyed this promo and also liked that Stephanie incorporated the fact that Smackdown is beating Raw in the ratings. It makes the war between the two brands feel a little more legitimate. Both Raw and Smackdown are under the WWE umbrella, but I like the idea of them battling for ratings and acknowledging it on television. There simply is no real competition for the WWE when it comes to ratings so I’m glad they are creating it themselves. The best era of wresting in my opinion was when WWE was battling WCW. This isn’t even remotely similar, but I would like if Raw and Smackdown starting bragging about who won the ratings war each week.

Seth Rollins vs Kevin Owens

Rollins immediately started out on the offensive and Owens rolled out of the ring to try and avoid him. That didn’t go too well as Rollins launched himself over the top rope onto him outside the ring. Owens recovered and threw Rollins into the barricade. The action returned to the ring and Owens connected with a couple of chops in the corner. Rollins briefly fought back but Owens knocked him to the mat and started taunting him. Rollins connected with a Blockbuster and went for a pinfall but Owens kicked out two. Raw went to a commercial break with Rollins in control of the match.

When Raw returns, Kevin Owens was taking Rollins to Chinlock City. Rollins powered out of the hold but Owens immediately hit a Senton. Owens continued to taunt Rollins and connected with a right hand. Rollins ran at Owens but Kevin launched him out of the ring. Owens then barked at the referee to start counting Rollins out. Rollins got up to the apron but Owens knocked him back down. Rollins was resting up against the barricade and Owens went for a Cannonball but Rollins got out of the way and Owens smashed into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Owens and Rollins traded chops and punches. Owens went for the Pop-up Powerbomb but Rollins avoided it and connected with a kick to the face. Rollins landed two running forearms to Owens in the corner but when he went for a third, Owens caught him with a Clothesline. Owens’ momentum was short-lived as Rollins planted him with a Slingblade. Rollins went for the Pedigree but Owens blocked it. Owens then fell out of the ring and Rollins connected with a Suicide Dive outside of the ring.

Rollins and Owens battled in the timekeeper’s area. Kevin Owens used the ring bell to attack Rollins and the referee saw it. The referee subsequently disqualified Owens which led to Owens throwing a tantrum in the ring. Owens went to attack Rollins but Seth sensed it coming and went for a Pedigree. Owens blocked it and scampered to the entrance ramp. Owens shouted that the referee was a scumbag and Rollins stood tall in the ring. Kevin Owens is now banned from interfering in the United States Championship match later tonight with Roman Reigns defending his title against Chris Jericho.

Winner via DQ: Seth Rollins

Reaction: Raw continued it’s solid start with this match. It was a good back and forth match and I was convinced that Kevin Owens would somehow find a way to win. I thought the most likely scenario was that Owens would win and then attack Jericho in the US title match in order to get Reigns disqualified. I’m glad that didn’t turn out to be the case.

Karl Anderson vs Cesaro

Sheamus joined commentary for the match and Gallows accompanied Karl Anderson to the ring. Cesaro had control of the match for the first minute or so. Cesaro laid out Anderson with a big time uppercut. Cesaro was on the ring apron and became distracted with Gallows ringside. Anderson used it to his advantage and booted Cesaro in the face as Raw went to a commercial break.

When Raw returned, Cesaro was back in control of the match and landed a massive Suplex to Karl Anderson. Sheamus and Michael Cole marveled at the power of Cesaro on commentary. Anderson slowed down the match and locked in a Chinlock. Cesaro powered out of the hold and hit another uppercut. Cesaro hit a Crossbody off of the second rope and went for a pinfall but Anderson kicked out.

Cesaro went for the Cesaro Swing but Gallows hopped up on the ring apron. Sheamus had seen enough and came down to the ring to prevent Gallows from getting involved in the match. Cesaro hit a springboard uppercut and went for the Sharpshooter but Anderson avoided it. Anderson was perched up on the top turnbuckle and Cesaro sent him falling to the mat with a Dropkick. Both men were on the top turnbuckle. Cesaro appeared to be going for a Superplex but Gallows pulled the rope and Cesaro landed crotch first on the top rope. Anderson then jumped off the turnbuckle and hit a Neckbreaker for the victory. Sheamus chased Gallows around the ring but he and Anderson were able to escape. The segment ended with Gallows and Anderson celebrating on the entrance ramp as Sheamus and Cesaro angrily looked on from in the ring.

Winner: Karl Anderson

Reaction: On the second day of January in the year 2017, Karl Anderson won a match. I’ll remember it forever. In all seriousness, Gallows and Anderson have been booked as jokes pretty much since the brand split. This was a meaningless match but I was glad to see Anderson get the win. It is a baby step, but hopefully Raw can spend the next few weeks building Gallows and Anderson back up again. It will certainly take awhile given how they have been booked for the past few months. Having said that, it is completely worth it because Raw needs more viable tag teams and when used correctly, Gallows and Anderson are a terrific team.

Last Man Standing Match: Sami Zayn vs Braun Strowman

Zayn exited the ring immediately and Strowman chased after him. Zayn grabbed a kendo stick and hit Strowman a few times with it. Strowman shrugged it off and launched Sami across the ring. Zayn fought back and hit Strowman again with a kendo sick. Zayn went for a flip off the barricade outside the ring but Strowman caught him and threw him into the barricade. Zayn shoved Strowman into the LED ring post a few times. Zayn went for a dive through the ropes onto Strowman but was instead greeted with a punch to the face.

Back in the ring, Strowman connected with a Splash onto Zayn in the corner. Strowman then landed a few more punches and a shoulder tackle.Raw went to a commercial break with Strowman firmly in control of the match. When Raw returned, Strowman was still in control and was beating the hell out of Zayn by the Raw announce table.

The match continued backstage. Zayn hit Strowman in the back with a steel chair and Strowman walked back towards the announce table. Zayn went to hit him again with the chair but Strowman caught him and threw him onto the entrance ramp. Zayn continued to fight back and connected with a few more chair shots. Strowman was teetering on the edge of the stage and Sami leaped onto him and both men fell through a couple tables set up next to the entrance ramp.

Both Superstars got back to their feet and Sami continued the assault with the chair. Strowman ripped the chair out of Sami’s hands and leveled him with a Clothesline. Braun followed it up with a Running Powerslam to the floor next to the ring. The referee tried to count Sami out but Strowman kept picking him up. Strowman planted Zayn with another Running Powerslam. The referee finally counted to ten and Strowman won the match. Foley came down to the ring after the match as Zayn was placed on the stretcher. Strowman knocked over the stretcher and threw Zayn into the barricade.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Reaction: Strowman dominated this match for the most part. Zayn did his best to fight back but is no match for Strowman. I enjoyed this match and Strowman continues to look strong on Raw every week. I’m not sure where Sami Zayn goes from here, I’m still hoping he winds up on Smackdown in the future. As long as the United States Championship is on Roman Reigns, there is nothing really for Zayn to fight for on Raw. Maybe that will change later tonight, but I still think Sami Zayn would be a better fit vying for the Intercontinental Championship on Smackdown. That is just my opinion and hopefully Raw has some decent plans for Zayn down the line.

The New Day came down to the ring and made a few jokes. The New Day announced that they have joined the Royal Rumble match. Titus O’Neil then interrupted and started dancing. Titus joined the New Day in the ring and asked if he could join the group. Titus O’Neil then started blowing a whistle and dancing around the ring. Titus then suggested that his face should be placed on the box of Booty O cereal. Xavier Woods then made fun of Titus and O’Neil referred to him as the weakest link of the New Day. Woods then challenged Titus to a match and Raw went to a commercial break.

Titus O’Neil vs Xavier Woods

Titus controlled the early part of this match and taunted Woods as Kofi and Big E looked on ringside. Woods battled back and flipped onto to Titus outside the ring. Back in the ring, Woods leaped off of the turnbuckle onto Titus but O’Neil caught him and slammed him to the mat. Woods wound up stealing this match with a roll-up.

Winner: Xavier Woods

Reaction: Please, just reunite the Prime Time Players. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil are terrible on their own. They were entertaining as a team. Please, no more “Titus brand” and “Make Darren Young Great Again”. Bring back the Prime Time Players. That is all.

Stephanie McMahon and Bayley had a conversation backstage. Bayley thought it was unfair that Dana Brooke was allowed to be the special referee last week in her match against Charlotte. Stephanie went on to make fun of Bayley and stated that she never wanted Bayley on Monday Night Raw. Stephanie then made a match between Bayley and Nia Jax. The winner of that match will go on to face Charlotte for the Raw Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble.

Cedric Alexander vs Drew Gulak

Before the match, Noam Dar once again hit non Alicia Fox backstage. Austin Aries joined commentary for this match and replaced Byron Saxton. Tony Nese and Alicia Fox were ringside. Tony Nese hopped up on the ring apron when Alexander got control of the match. Fox dragged Nese off the apron and Alexander became distracted. Gulak then rolled up Alexander and grabbed his tights for leverage. Gulak won the match and celebrated with Nese on the entrance ramp.

Winner: Drew Gulak

Reaction: It wouldn’t be an episode of Raw without a two minute Cruiserweight match that accomplished nothing. Wake me up when Alicia Fox leaves Cedric Alexander for Noam Dar.

United States Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs Chris Jericho

The match started off back and forth as the crowd chanted “lets go Roman!” and “Roman sucks!”. Jericho connected with a Dropkick that sent Reigns out of the ring. Reigns recovered and charged at Jericho but Jericho moved and Reigns went face first into the ring post. Raw went to a commercial break with Jericho in control of the match.

When Raw returned, Jericho was slapping Reigns in the ring and calling him “boy”. Jericho went for a Running Bulldog but was launched into the turnbuckle instead. Reigns then beatdown Jericho in the corner. Reigns went for the Superman Punch but Jericho avoided it. Jericho went for the Lionsault but Reigns got his knees up. Jericho then went for the Codebreaker but Reigns blocked it. Jericho then locked in the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring.

Reigns rolled through and revesed the hold into a small package but Jericho kicked out. Jericho leaped off of the top rope but Reigns caught him with a Superman Punch. Roman went for the pinfall but Jericho was able to kick out at two. Reigns went for the Spear but Jericho avoided it. Reigns went for another one but Jericho got out of the way and Reigns went flying into the ring post. Jericho then took the padding off of the top turnbuckle. As the referee tried to put the padding back on the turnbuckle, Jericho grabbed the US title from ringside.

Jericho then threw the title to Roman and fell to the mat and pretended that Reigns struck him with it. The referee didn’t buy it but Jericho was able to connect with a Codebreaker. Reigns kicked out and crawled to the corner. Jericho then charged at Reigns but Roman got out of the way and ran into the exposed turnbuckle. Reigns then hit the Spear and won the match.

Winner & Still United States Champion: Roman Reigns

Reaction: This match was clunky but still very entertaining. It was cool seeing that classic Eddie Guerrero spot brought back, unfortunately it didn’t work out for Jericho this time.

Brian Kendrick vs TJ Perkins

This match was back and forth throughout. Neville was shown watching the match backstage on the monitor. Perkins hit the Detonation Kick and then applied the Knee Bar for the submission victory. Neville was once again shown backstage disappointed that Perkins won the match.

Winner: TJ Perkins

Big Cass w/Enzo vs Jinder Mahal & Rusev

Enzo Amore suffered an “injury” and was unable to compete. He came down to the ring in a motorized wheel chair. Cass started off the match dominant and the crowd started to chant “USA!”. Mahal slapped Enzo outside the ring. Rusev kicked Cass in the face and won the match.

Winners: Rusev & Jinder Mahal

Reaction: Boy, Rusev has fallen hard since losing the US Title. I cannot find a way to care about this feud. I’m trying but it just is not working at all.

#1 Contender Match: Nia Jax vs Bayley

Nia Jax started off the match in control as Charlotte joined commentary and bragged about her record at WWE PPVs. Nia charged at Bayley in the corner but Bayley moved and Nia hit the ring post. Nia shrugged it off and hit a couple of Elbow Drops on Bayley and followed it up with a Leg Drop. Nia was climbing up the turnbuckle but Sasha Banks came out to distract her. Bayley then climbed up and hit the Bayley to Belly on Nia off of the second rope for the victory. Bayley will now face Charlotte at Royal Rumble for the Raw Women’s Championship.

Winner & #1 Contender For The Raw Women’s Championship: Bayley 

Kevin Owens Show w/ Goldberg

The KO Show’s set was brilliant. It was a man standing with a Kevin Owens Show Sign taped to his head and a lawn chair set up for Goldberg. The Tampa crowd started to chant for Goldberg and Jericho grabbed the microphone and put the entire crowd on the list. Chris Jericho announced that he was entering the Royal Rumble and Kevin Owens became upset. Owens stated that he didn’t want to fight his best friend at Wrestlemania if Jericho were to win.

Goldberg then stormed to the ring and tossed the lawn chair out of the ring. Owens then claimed that he wasn’t intimidated by Goldberg because he threw furniture around in the ring. Owens then threw the table out of the ring and Goldberg got in his face. Paul Heyman then interrupted and stated that Lesnar was going to eliminate everyone at the Rumble. Goldberg interrupted and stated that he was going to eliminate Lesnar in the Rumble match. Goldberg went on to say that he would defeat either Owens or Reigns at Wrestlemania and take the Universal Championship.

Roman Reigns then came down to the ring. Reigns and Goldberg had a stare down. Braun Strowman then came down to the ring and grabbed a microphone from Paul Heyman. Strowman stated that he was going to win the Royal Rumble match and entered the ring. Reigns and Goldberg then hit a double Spear on Strowman and Raw went off the air.

Reaction: Monday Night Raw started off well but it ultimately wound up being just another show. In my opinion, Goldberg’s return didn’t feel special tonight. I don’t think that was Goldberg’s fault, I just think the final segment got way too crowded. The crowd wasn’t overly receptive to the Spear on Strowman by Reigns and Goldberg. I cannot envision a scenario where Goldberg wins the Royal Rumble match but if he does, I guess Roman Reigns would be as good of an opponent as any. Personally, I never want to see a Roman Reigns and Goldberg match. I’d be more interested in the Jericho and Owens match for the Universal Championship at this point. I know that the WWE is trying to build up the Royal Rumble but I thought tonight’s show ended with a thud.

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

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