Home News WWE Monday Night Raw Recap & Reaction (1/30)

WWE Monday Night Raw Recap & Reaction (1/30)

Robert Lentini
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WWE Monday Night Raw Recap & Reaction (1/30)

This Week’s episode of Monday Night Raw kicked off with Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho coming down to the ring. Owens said that nobody thought he had a chance last night and that he has made a career out of proving people wrong. Owens said that he proved Raw GM Mick Foley wrong last night by defeating Roman Reigns. Owens said that he was man enough to admit that he had some help last night. Owens thanked Jericho for his moral support last night and for his continued friendship.

Jericho then boasted that he has spent 4 hours and 56 minutes in the Royal Rumble match during his career. Jericho then referred to himself as the 61 Minute Man and instructed the WWE Universe to tweet while using #61minuteman. Braun Strowman then interrupted and stormed down to the ring. Owens tried to thank Strowman but Braun interrupted. The WWE Universe started to chant “thank you Strowman” because he attacked Roman Reigns last night.

Strowman said that he attacked Roman Reigns for two reasons. One because he hates Roman Reigns and that he wants the Universal Championship shot that Kevin Owens promised him. Strowman rolled the footage of Kevin Owens saying that Strowman was next in line for a title shot. Strowman demanded a Universal Championship tonight on Monday Night Raw. Mick Foley then came down to the entrance ramp and made the match official. It will be Kevin Owens defending his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman later tonight.

Reaction: Roman Reigns didn’t get his revenge on Braun Strowman last night at the Royal Rumble. I’m fully expecting Reigns to show up during the Universal Championship match later on in the show.

Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn

The match started out back and forth. Zayn hit several Arm Drags and then applied an Arm Bar in the middle of the ring. Jericho fought out of the hold and connected with a chop in the corner. Zayn responded with a few chops of his own and Jericho rolled out of the ring to avoid Zayn. Sami then hit Jericho with a Dropkick through the bottom rope and then brought Jericho back in the ring. Jericho then hit a springboard Dropkick and knocked Zayn to the outside of the ring. Back outside the ring, Zayn connected with a Clothesline. Jericho threw Zayn into the barricade but Sami leaped on top of it and hit a Moonsault as Raw went to a commercial break.

When Raw returned, Jericho had Zayn in a Chinlock. Zayn fought out of the hold but Jericho planted him with a kick to the side of the head. Jericho hit a Hurricanrana on Zayn off the top rope. Zayn connected with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Sami went for the Helluva Kick but Jericho rolled out of the ring. Back in the ring, Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho but Zayn reversed it and hit a Tornado DDT. Sami once again went for the Helluva Kick but Jericho countered it and applied the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring. Zayn powered through and reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex to Jericho in the corner and followed it up with the Helluva Kick for the victory.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Sheamus and Cesaro were shown arguing backstage. Bayley interrupted and said that Sheamus and Cesaro need to work together tonight for their six person tag match against Charlotte, Gallows & Anderson. Gallows, Anderson and Charlotte interrupted and they made fun of Bayley, Sheamus and Cesaro.

Kevin Owens and Stephanie McMahon were talking backstage. Kevin Owens said that he was still hurt from last night’s match with Roman Reigns and was not ready to compete against Braun Strowman tonight. Stephanie said that after she deals with Seth Rollins, she will talk to Mick Foley and see if she can get the match tonight canceled.

Tony Nese vs Mustafa Ali

Ali controlled the early part of the match. Nese battled back and knocked Ali to the mat with a shoulder tackle. Nese then launched Ali into the turnbuckle and followed it up with a big time Clothesline. Ali hit a couple Clotheslines of his own and then connected with a Neckbreaker. Ali went to the top turnbuckle but Nese knocked him down. Nese then hit running knee for the victory.

Winner: Tony Nese

Reaction: This match was a whopping 3 minutes and 45 seconds. I’m sure that will get everyone pumped up for tomorrow night’s 205 Live.

Seth Rollins came down to the ring and called out Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie said that she was going to disappoint Rollins on multiple levels. Rollins responded that she does that every night with Triple H. Stephanie said that Triple H is afraid of what he might do to Rollins. Stephanie claimed that she asked Triple H to not come to Monday Night Raw tonight. Stephanie said that Seth should beg her and Triple H for forgiveness. Rollins said that he was sorry that he exposed her husband as gutless. Rollins claimed that he was the greatest threat to Triple H’s legacy. Rollins threatened to show up at Triple H’s house or at WWE Headquarters. Seth said that this will not end before he slays the King (Triple H). Stephanie then said that she lied and that Triple H was on his way to the arena tonight to confront Seth Rollins.

Bayley, Sheamus & Cesaro vs Charlotte, Gallows & Anderson

Bayley and Charlotte started off the match. Anderson and Cesaro immediately tagged in. Cesaro hit an uppercut and Gallows was tagged in. Cesaro then hit Gallows with several uppercuts. Cesaro went to the top rope but Charlotte distracted him. Gallows connected with  a kick to Cesaro and knocked him out of the ring as Raw went to a commercial break.

When Raw returned, Cesaro was trapped in the ring. Anderson hit a Spinebuster for a two count and then tagged in Gallows. Cesaro finally tagged in Sheamus and he beat the hell out of Gallows. Sheamus hit a flying Clothesline off the top rope for a two count. Cesaro was tagged in and Sheamus Clotheslined Anderson out of the ring. Gallows tagged in Charlotte and Bayley hit a Crossbody on her. Cesaro then launched himself onto everyone outside the ring. Bayley then hit the Bayley to Belly on Charlotte for the victory.

Winners: Bayley, Sheamus & Cesaro

Reaction: Charlotte may be undefeated at PPVs but she seems to lose every non-title match on Raw.

Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley had a conversation backstage. Stephanie assured Foley that Triple H will be there tonight. Stephanie also claimed that Triple H’s music playing during Seth Rollins’ match last week was a technical error. Foley didn’t buy it but said the match with Strowman and Owens for the Universal Championship will still take place later tonight.

Neville came down to the ring with his Cruiserweight Championship. Neville stated that 205 Live now belongs to him. Neville once again insulted the crowd and said they never believed in him. Rich Swann interrupted and said that he couldn’t listen to Neville insult the WWE Universe anymore. Swann said that he had to admit that Neville was one of the very best and tried to shake Neville’s hand. Neville told Swann to bow to Neville. Swann went to walk away and Neville attacked him. Swann fought back and hit Neville with a kick to Neville’s head. Swann then hit Neville with a Suicide Dive and Neville retreated.

Bayley asked Sasha Banks not to compete in her match tonight. Sasha was getting her injured knee taped up and isn’t 100%. Sasha dismissed Bayley and said that unlike some people, she is not happy with coming up short.

Universal Championship Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs Braun Strowman

Jericho joined commentary for this match much to the chagrin of Kevin Owens. Owens wanted Jericho to be ringside. Braun Strowman came out and Chokeslammed Jericho through the announce table. Owens looked scared out of his mind when Strowman entered the ring. Owens got planted with a Clothesline from Strowman to start off the match. Strowman continued to dominate Owens for the next couple of minutes. Owens tried to avoid Strowman but Braun drove him into the barricade.

Strowman charged at Owens but Owens ducked and Braun hit the ring post. Owens then hit the Cannonball on Strowman outside the ring. Back in the ring, Owens connected with a Senton and followed it up with a Frog Splash off the top rope. Owens went back to the top rope but Strowman caught him and hit a Running Powerslam. Roman Reigns then came out to a symphony of boos. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Strowman and Owens was disqualified. Reigns then Clotheslined Strowman out of the ring but Braun landed on his feet. Reigns hit another Superman Punch on Strowman outside the ring. Reigns then leveled Strowman with a Spear off the steel steps. Reigns then hit a Spear to Kevin Owens and the entire crowd booed.

Winner via DQ: Kevin Owens

Reaction: This was completely predictable. I will say that Strowman Chokeslamming Jericho through the table before the match was pretty cool.

Brock Lesnar were shown getting out of a car and walking into the arena.

Lesnar and Heyman came down to the ring. The crowd started to chant “Goldberg!” as Heyman began to speak. Heyman said that every great athlete has an opponent that has their number. Heyman said that Ronda Rousey was dominant until she got her face kicked in by Holly Holm. Heyman also mentioned Kurt Angle, John Cena, and The Undertaker. Heyman said whenever you say Lesnar now there will always be a “yeah but Goldberg beat him in a minute and twenty-six seconds”. The crowd once again chanted “Goldberg!”. Paul Heyman then announced that Brock Lesnar is challenging Goldberg one final time at Wrestlemania.

Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax

Nia charged at Sasha but Banks moved and Nia hit the ring post. However, Nia grabbed Sasha Banks and swung her injured knee into the ring post a couple of times. Nia Jax applied a submission hold and the bell rang for no reason. Nia Jax continued to apply the hold and Bayley came down to the ring. Nia Jax then walked away and left Bayley and Sasha in the ring. After the match, Sasha Banks was brought to the trainer’s room by Bayley.

Reaction: Everything was executed very poorly here. I’m assuming that it was a botch that the bell rang. The referee then called for the bell a few moments later and it didn’t ring. The crowd was dead silent for this match.

Tornado Tag Team Match: Enzo & Cass vs Rusev & Jinder Mahal

Raw went to a commercial break a minute into the match. When Raw returned, Jinder and Rusev had Big Cass trapped in the corner. Enzo Amore climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a Crossbody. Mahal and Rusev regained control of the match and threw Cass into the barricade outside the ring. Back in the ring, Rusev planted Enzo with a Body Slam. Cass got back in the ring and took out Mahal and Rusev with a couple of shoulder tackles. Big cass then launched Jinder out of the ring. Cass hit the Empire Elbow but Jinder broke up the pinfall at two. The match ended with Enzo and Cass hitting the Bada Boom Shakalaka for the victory.

Winners: Enzo & Cass

Triple H came down to the ring to address Seth Rollins. Triple H stated that he plucked Rollins from obscurity and made him a star. Triple H said that Rollins didn’t hold up his end of the bargain and collapsed under the pressure. Triple H mocked Rollins for his injury and having to forfeit the title. Triple H said that when Rollins returned without Triple H by his side, he was a massive failure. Triple H said that he gave Rollins the world and Seth spit in his face.

Triple H said it is best for business for him to not confront Rollins when he calls him out. Triple H went on to say that he is trying so hard to not be the guy that fights anymore and is trying to be a creator. Triple H took of his suite jacket and his tie. The crowd started to chant “Triple H!”. Triple H then called out Seth Rollins. Seth came down to the entrance ramp but was attacked by Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe launched Rollins into the barricade and the ring apron. Triple H walked away as Samoa Joe hit three Sentons onto Rollins. Samoa Joe then applied the Coquina Clutch to Rollins in the center of the ring. Rollins was knocked out and Raw went off the air with Samoa Joe standing tall over Rollins.

Reaction: Something legitimately exciting finally happened to close out Monday Night Raw. First off, the Triple H promo was terrific. A summary doesn’t do it justice. I’m sure the WWE will be uploading it to YouTube later on so if you missed it, definitely check it out. Last night, people were hoping for Samoa Joe to come out at number 30. Instead they got Roman Reigns and we all know how that went. Samoa Joe made his debut tonight and made a hell of an impact. Samoa Joe and Seth Rollins can steal any show they are on. They are both that damn good so I cannot wait to see where this feud goes. My issue with Monday Night Raw remains the amount of filler that is on the show. There is just way too much forgettable nonsense on this show every week. However, if they keep bringing up talents like Samoa Joe and adding him to the main roster that will alleviate some of the issue.

The Paul Heyman promo tonight was also solid. There were rumors posted on this site and several others that Goldberg might be challenging Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship before Wrestlemania. I’d rather not see that and just see another Goldberg and Lesnar match. They are big enough names that they don’t need the Universal Championship in that match. Sami Zayn defeated United States Champion Chris Jericho tonight. Michael Cole said that this puts Zayn in line for a shot at the United States Championship. I’m all for that because the title has just been floating around for months. It has been wrapped up in the Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and Jericho storyline forever. The United States Championship would do a lot for Sami Zayn.

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

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