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WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (12/5)

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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Seth Rollins kicked off the show and called out Triple H for choosing to bet against Seth Rollins. Seth went on to state that the Pedigree he hit on Jericho last week was a message to Triple H. Rollins claimed that the only way he can get to Triple H is to defeat Kevin Owens and capture the Universal Championship. Rollins stated that he need to eliminate Chris Jericho from the equation first.

Kevin Owens interrupted and came out to the entrance ramp. Rollins asked Owens about his friendship with Jericho. Owens claimed that Rollins doesn’t have any friends because he is constantly stabbing people in the back. Owens called Rollins’ attack on Jericho cowardly. Owens then revealed that he got Jericho three gifts. Rollins asked if Owens got Jericho gifts because of all the times Jericho helped him retain his Universal Championship.

Kevin Owens then got annoyed and angrily stated that he was a fighting champion. Rollins challenged Owens to a Universal Championship tonight but Owens laughed it off. Owens stated that he already defeated Rollins a couple of weeks ago and that he has a match against Sami Zayn. Owens revealed that the three gifts he got Jericho were three matches. The first match will take place tonight as Roman Reigns will defend his United States Championship against Jericho. The second match will take place at WWE Roadblock: End of the Line and it will be Seth Rollins versus Jericho. The third and final match will take place next and it will be Seth Rollins versus the Big Show.

Big Show vs Seth Rollins

Big Show started off the match by leveling Rollins with a massive shoulder tackle. Big Show followed that up with a loud chop to the chest of Rollins. Kevin Owens was ringside and he was thoroughly enjoying the beatdown of Rollins at the hands of the Big Show. Rollins connected with a Dropkick to the knee of Big Show and Big Show rolled out of the ring. Rollins went for a Suicide Dive but Big Show caught him and slammed him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Big Show went for a Chokeslam but Rollins blocked it and connected with several kicks to the Show’s knees.

Rollins hit three knees to the head of the Big Show and he finally fell to the mat. Kevin Owens began to panic outside the ring and got up onto the ring apron. Rollins went for a Pedigree and Big Show blocked it. Kevin Owens shouted at the Big Show to end the match and Big Show got angry. Big Show grabbed the throat of Owens and Chokeslammed him into the ring. Big Show then walked away and got himself counted out. Big Show applauded from the top of the entrance ramp as Rollins was announced as the victor. After the match, Rollins hit a Pedigree on Kevin Owens.

Winner via Count-out: Seth Rollins

Reaction: The Big Show has lost a lot of weight and looks to be in terrific shape. It also appears he is back to the happy-go-lucky version of Big Show only this time he is sporting a massive beard. I’m glad that Rollins finally mentioned Triple H because it means that sooner or later Triple H will return to Raw. Thus, we will finally get some explanation as to why he turned on Rollins and practically handed the Universal Championship to Kevin Owens.

Jack Gallagher vs Ariya Daivari

Daivari started out the match on the offensive but Gallagher kept escaping in interesting ways. Daivari began to get frustrated and began to shout at Gallagher. This allowed Gallagher to get the upper hand and he connected with a Running Dropkick on Daivari in the corner for the victory. After the match, Gallagher tried to shake Daivari’s hand but Daivari attacked him instead. Daivari hit Gallagher in the knee a couple of times and left Gallagher lying in the ring.

Winner: Jack Gallagher

Kevin Owens and Mick Foley had a discussion backstage. Owens didn’t want to have his match with Sami Zayn tonight due to the Chokeslam he suffered from the Big Show. Mick Foley stated that the match is still happening and walked away. Chris Jericho then entered the arena and Kevin Owens told him about all the gifts he got him. Owens then asked Jericho if everything was alright between them and Jericho said no and walked away.

Rusev and Lana were arguing backstage. Enzo and Cass were standing off to the side and Enzo was getting annoyed. Enzo walked over to stop Rusev from shouting at Lana. Rusev then began to shout at Enzo and Lana asked Rusev to stop. Lana stated that Enzo was trying to help and Rusev responded by calling Lana pathetic. Lana then took off her wedding ring and dropped it to the floor. Rusev walked away in disgust and Enzo asked Big Cass to leave. Enzo then picked up the wedding ring and gave it back to Lana. The segment ended with Enzo politely asking Lana “how you doin?”.

Raw returned from a commercial break and Lana was still talking to Enzo. Lana stated that Rusev needed to be taught a lesson and maybe seeing Lana with another man will make him appreciate her. Lana then asked Enzo to meet her at her hotel later and then said something in Russian. Lana then walked away and Enzo was so giddy with joy he just had to dance.

Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn

This match started out back and forth. Owens launched himself over the top rope onto to Sami Zayn. A few moments later, Sami Zayn Moonsaulted onto Owens outside the ring and Raw went to another commercial break. When Raw returned, Owens took Zayn on a trip to Chinlock City. Zayn fought back and hit a Tornado DDT onto the ring apron. Zayn followed it up by launching himself between the ropes and connecting with another massive DDT outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Zayn went for a Superplex but Owens reversed it into a Superplex of his own. Owens went for the cover but Zayn kicked out at two. Owens then hit a Cannonball on Zayn in the corner. Zayn battled back and hit another Tornado DDT on Owens. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Owens emerged from the corner and connected with a Superkick. Once again, Zayn fought back and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Owens hit a Pop-up Powerbomb out of nowhere and fell on top of Zayn for the victory.

Winner: Kevin Owens

Reaction: The first hour of Monday Night Raw was solid. It appears that Lana is setting up Enzo and he may get attacked when he arrives at the hotel later in the evening. Jack Gallagher is the most interesting man on the planet. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had another good match. It is incredible how well these two work together.

Roman Reigns and Jericho had a confrontation backstage. Roman Reigns hinted at the fact that Jericho may doing Kevin Owens’ dirty work once again and he doesn’t even realize it. Reigns walked away as Jericho had a confused look on his face.

Sasha Banks was interviewed backstage. Banks claimed that Charlotte doesn’t deserve to live in Ric Flair’s legacy. Sasha Banks challenged Charlotte to an Iron Man match at WWE Roadblock: End of the Line.

Reaction: I honestly cannot believe there is going to be another Charlotte versus Sasha Banks match. I’m at a loss for words at how ridiculous this is. They could wrestle this match while skydiving and I still wouldn’t be interested. It is just too much of the same thing. The only way to make this even more ridiculous is if Charlotte wins the Raw Women’s Championship back at Roadblock. After all, Charlotte is undefeated at WWE PPVs!

Rich Swann vs TJ Perkins

It was revealed that Brian Kendrick will get his Cruiserweight Championship rematch tomorrow night on 205 Live. This match was back and forth and there were several moments where it looked like TJ Perkins was going to get the victory. Perkins went for the Knee Bar but Swan blocked the submission hold. Perkins then climbed to the top rope and attempted to leap onto Swann. It didn’t work out too well as Swann kicked Perkins in the face for the victory.

Winner: Rich Swann

Reaction: The finish to this match didn’t look too good. You can see that in the tweet embedded below. They aired the vignette they showed on 205 Live about Rich Swann again tonight on Raw. I wrote on my reaction for the debut episode of 205 Live that I was hoping they would do that. I thought it would provide a backstory for Swann and the crowd might react to him more. Time will tell if things will change, but right now every Cruiserweight match on Raw is painfully silent.  I’m not sure how the WWE will get the audience invested in the division. They have to come up with something because the entire show comes to a halt whenever a Cruiserweight match takes place. Maybe they should just put Jack Gallagher in every match.

Bayley vs Alicia Fox

This match took place because Bayley gave Cedric Alexander a “Bayley Bear” which is a new teddy bear thingamajig. Alicia Fox became jealous because she has a crush on Cedric.

Alicia Fox was very upset about the Bayley Bear incident and it showed in the ring. Alicia Fox was acting like a psychopath during the match. It wound up being her downfall as Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly for the victory in a short match.

Winner: Bayley

Reaction: There has to be something better for Bayley to do on the main roster besides walk around with teddy bears. Maybe after the 75,000th Charlotte and Sasha Banks match at Roadblock we will find out what that is.

Tussle In Texas: Mark Henry vs Titus O’Neil

Mark Henry hit the World’s Strongest Slam almost immediately for the win.

Winner: Mark Henry

Reaction: One of the best matches of all time.

Rusev and Big Cass had an altercation backstage. Rusev was furious that he couldn’t find Lana. Big Cass said that it was none of his business and Rusev shoved him. Rusev then stated that he was going to find Mick Foley because he wanted to face Cass in a match tonight.

Enzo was shown backstage trying to get an Uber driver to pick him up. A limo showed up and Ric Flair got out of it. Ric Flair offered Enzo his limo and Enzo promised that he will not be “sawft”.

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

Jericho started off the match by throwing his shirt into Reigns’ face and then attacking him in the corner. Reigns fought back and leveled Jericho with a Clothesline. Jericho fought back and connected with a Crossbody on Reigns outside the ring and Raw went to a commercial break. When Raw returned, Jericho was still in control of the match. Jericho connected with a Springboard Dropkick and Reigns went tumbling outside the ring.

Jericho went to jump onto Reigns outside the ring but he got caught up in the ropes and Roman connected with the Drive By. Back in the ring, Reigns hit a Samoan Drop and followed it up with a Superman Punch. Reigns went for the cover but Jericho kicked out at two. Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring. Reigns got to the ropes to break the hold. Owens ran down to the ring and hit Reigns with a Superkick. Jericho didn’t see it and connected with a Codebreaker on Reigns. Jericho went for the pin but Reigns miraculously kicked out.

Jericho then realized Owens was on the ring apron and began to shout at him. Jericho was screaming that he told Owens that he didn’t need him to be out there. Owens tried to tell Jericho to keep attacking Reigns but Jericho wouldn’t listen. Jericho then slapped Owens in the face. Owens walked backstage with a sad look on his face. Jericho turned around and Roman Reigns hit him with a Spear for the victory.

Winner & Still United States Champion: Roman Reigns

Reaction: This match was good. The crowd finally was given a reason to cheer and they were energized during this match. Owens and Jericho may never, ever be the same again.

 

Rusev vs Big Cass

Rusev never came out from backstage. Big Cass went ringside to grab a cell phone to call Enzo. Enzo didn’t answer the phone because it was unknown number. Enzo then joined Lana in a hotel room. Enzo was uncomfortable. Lana ripped off Enzo’s shirt and demanded that Enzo take off his pants. Enzo did and Lana called him a fool. Rusev then appeared and beatdown Enzo. Rusev broke a glass vase over Enzo’s head and shouted at him. Rusev then dragged Enzo out of the hotel room and left him laying in the lobby. Lana then shut the hotel door after putting up the do not disturb sign on the handle.

Reaction: It was obvious that this was going to happen. This segment was effective because it added something to the Big Cass and Rusev feud that will likely come of this. Enzo Amore will never stand a chance against Rusev in a match. I thought this was a good segment. It was awkward, went on too long and was obvious but it was more entertaining than the standard promo we get nowadays.  If we are getting more segments like this and the barroom brawl last week, I’m fine with it. At the very least, it breaks up the monotony that is most episodes of Monday Night Raw.

Raw Tag Team #1 Contenders Match: Sheamus & Cesaro vs Gallows & Anderson

The New Day decided to take in this match from the outside of the ring. They set up bean bag chairs against the barricade. Xavier Woods was on Facebook Live during the match and Big E was eating. Gallows and Anderson had control of the match for awhile. They had Cesaro set up for the Magic Killer but Sheamus stopped it. Cesaro tagged in Sheamus and he beat the hell out of Anderson.

Sheamus hit a Rolling Senton on Gallows and then hit another one on Anderson on top of Gallows. Cesaro tagged himself in and Anderson didn’t realize it. Cesaro hit a spinning uppercut. All four Superstars wound up fighting outside the ring. Sheamus leaped off of the steel steps and everyone went flying into the New Day. A brawl broke out and the match was thrown out. Kofi tried to flip onto Cesaro and Sheamus outside the ring but they caught him and threw Kingston onto Woods and Big E.

Reaction:  The spot where Kofi Kingston flipped onto Cesaro and Sheamus and they caught him was awesome. It was revealed after the match that the New Day will defend their titles against Cesaro & Sheamus and Gallows & Anderson next week on Raw in a Triple Threat Tag Team Championship match.

Charlotte came down to the ring to publicly apologize to Ric Flair. Charlotte referred to herself as a “cold-hearted b**** of a daughter” and pointed to the jumbotron. The WWE then showed the segment from May where Charlotte insulted Ric Flair and he left the building in tears. This was the third time Raw showed the Charlotte and Ric Flair segment tonight.

Charlotte stated that the WWE means everything to her. The crowd chanted “what!” after everything Charlotte said. Charlotte claimed that watching her father raise Sasha Banks’ hand was harder to accept than losing the Raw Women’s Championship. Charlotte stated that all she has ever wanted was her father’s approval. Charlotte claimed that she failed as Ric Flair’s daughter and that it broke her heart to see her dad raise Sasha’s hand. The crowd started chanting “Who’s your daddy?”.

Ric Flair came down to the ring and Charlotte had a giant smile on her face. Charlotte once again apologized and Ric and Charlotte hugged in the ring. Charlotte then slapped Ric Flair in the face and called him a “son of a b****”. Sasha Banks then ran to the ring and Charlotte attacked her. Charlotte launched Sasha into the barricade outside the ring. Charlotte followed it up by launching Charlotte into the LED ring post. Charlotte then brought Sasha in the ring and mocked Ric Flair for crying. Raw went off air with Charlotte mocking Ric Flair and Sasha Banks.

Reaction: This promo was solid but once again it was completely predictable. The way my brain works, I’m already expecting Ric Flair to cost Sasha Banks the match at WWE Roadblock and Charlotte will once again become Raw Women’s Champion. I’m hoping that is not the case because I’m really tired of them playing hot potato with the Women’s Championship. It ultimately helps nobody and a lot of the audience is already sick of the Sasha and Charlotte feud. This was yet another episode of Raw where Nia Jax wasn’t featured on the show and they teased the Emmalina debut for the 100th time. Much like every singe episode of Raw, there were a few good segments scattered within a bunch of boring segments. After almost every episode of Smackdown, I at least want to discuss what transpired and am invested in what is going on in the show. After an episode of Monday Night Raw, all I want to do is go to sleep.

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

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