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WWE RAW Recap & Reaction (5/1)

WWE RAW

Written by

Robert Lentini

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WWE RAW kicked off with all the female Superstars in the ring awaiting the new RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss. Bayley had her arms crossed and had a frustrated look on her face. Alexa Bliss came down to the ring and received boos from the Sacramento crowd. Alexa grabbed a microphone and thanked all the ladies for coming down to the ring tonight, even though she demanded that RAW GM Kurt Angle make them all come out there. Alexa referred to herself as the “goddess of the WWE” and proceeded to brag about becoming the first ever female Superstar to hold both the RAW and Smackdown Women’s Championships.

Bliss went up to Mickie James and called her an inspiration, even though her contemporaries Mae Young and the Fabulous Moolah were now in a better place. Alexa then thanked Sasha Banks for being there and bragged about defeating her. Sasha then stepped towards Alexa and Bliss bumped into Nia Jax behind her. Alexa complimented Nia Jax and stated that all the other female Superstars were jealous of her. Alexa Bliss then stood on top of stand and said that it felt good to be on top of the world.

Alexa then acknowledged Bayley as “former RAW Women’s Champion” and the crowd broke out in a “Bayley!” chant. Bliss boasted about defeating Bayley last night at Payback in front of her entire family. Bliss claimed that when the referee raised her hand she noticed that all of Bayley’s nephews were crying. Bliss stated that now her whole family finally has a real role model to look up to. Bayley lost it and knocked over the stand and Bliss fell to the mat. RAW went to a commercial break with the entire RAW women’s division brawling in the ring.

Reaction: I enjoyed Alexa Bliss’s work on SmackDown, but she has upped her game since coming to RAW during WWE’s Superstar Shake-Up. She is excellent at getting the crowd to despise her. I hope that the rest of the RAW women’s division benefits from Bliss being on the roster when it comes to promos.

Alexa Bliss, Alicia Fox, Nia Jax & Emma vs Bayley, Sasha Banks, Mickie James & Dana Booke

Alexa Bliss and Bayley started off the match but Alexa immediately tagged in Emma. Bayley controlled the match early and beatdown Emma. Mickie James then entered the match and continued the assault on Emma. Mickie connected with a series of kicks then knocked Emma to the mat with a Clothesline. Dana Brooke was tagged in and Emma tagged in Alicia Fox. Dana Brooke beatdown Alicia for a minute and then tagged in Sasha Banks.

Sasha Banks got a massive cheer from the crowd and slammed Alicia to the mat. Bayley then got back in the match and went right after Fox. Alicia was then isolated in the corner and Mickie got back into the match. Mickie connected with a kick to Alicia’s face and tagged Sasha back in. Banks applied a Chinlock to Fox in the middle of the ring. Bliss shouted at Fox as Sasha Banks controlled the match.

Banks connected with an Arm Drag and followed it up with Double Knees for a two count. Alexa screamed for a tag and Fox comically replied “I’m trying!” while in a lot of pain. Fox launched Sasha out of the ring and all of the Superstars gathered outside the ring. RAW went to another commercial break with everyone shouting at each other ringside.

When RAW returned, Alicia Fox and Sasha Banks were once again battling in the ring. During the commercial break, Nia Jax dominated and it allowed Fox to recapture control of the match for her team. Fox hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a one count. Nia Jax entered the match and dropped an elbow on Sasha’s back. Nia then hurled Sasha across the ring and Bliss mocked Sasha from the ring apron. Nia hit another elbow for a one count.

Last night Corey Graves referred to Strowman as a bear, tonight he referred to Nia as a bear as she had Sasha in a Chinlock. Nia slammed Banks into the turnbuckle and tagged in Alexa Bliss. Alexa stuck her boot right in Sasha’s face as she laid across the bottom rope. Bliss then stomped on Sasha’s head a few times for a two count. Bliss punched Fox and Nia in the face in the corner was sent back to the mat via a Clothesline from Bliss. Sasha finally escaped and tagged in Bayley. Bayley tackled Alexa to the mat and punched her in the face several times. Bayley then slammed Alexa’s head into the top turnbuckle 10 times as the crowd went wild.

Alexa was then hung up on the second rope and Bayley planted her with a Neckbreaker. Bayley hit a Suplex and went for a pin but Nia broke up the pin. Dana Brooke then knocked Nia out of the ring and Mickie hit Nia with a Crossbody outside the ring. Bayley and Sasha then beatdown Alicia in the ring. The battle spilled outside the ring and Fox and Sasha traded punches. Back in the ring, Alexa raked Bayley’s eyes and spiked her head into the mat with a DDT for the victory.

Winners: Alexa Bliss, Alicia Fox, Nia Jax & Emma

Reaction: This was a solid 15+ minute to start off the show. I could live without the commercial breaks right in the middle of the damn match but complaining about that is a lost cause. I really enjoyed this match and Alexa picked up a victory over Bayley with a DDT for the second night in a row. I’m still waiting on that Sasha Banks heel turn and for to attack Bayley. Maybe that simply won’t wind up happening but I really do think Sasha Banks would be much better off as a heel. Having said that, Sasha Banks got a hell of a reaction from the crowd tonight so maybe that isn’t necessary.

Enzo and Cass came down to the entrance ramp to a big reaction from the crowd. Enzo bragged about giving Gallows and Anderson the beating of their lives last night. Gallows and Anderson attacked Enzo and Cass from behind. Cass and Enzo got the upper-hand anyway. RAW went to a commercial break with Enzo and Cass standing tall in the ring.

Luke Gallows vs Enzo Amore

When RAW returned, Gallows blasted Enzo with a giant boot to the face. Gallows then beatdown Enzo in the corner as Cass cheered his partner on from ringside. Enzo tried to fight back but was knocked back down by a Clothesline from Gallows. Gallows then slammed Enzo to the mat and posed in the ring. Gallows proceeded to beatdown Enzo for the next couple of minutes. Enzo finally fought back and connected with a series of punches. It didn’t matter as Gallows slammed Enzo to the mat again.

Gallows applied an Arm Bar on Enzo in the middle of the ring. Enzo got to his feet and punched Gallows a couple of times but once again was sent back to the mat. Gallows once again applied an Arm Bar and shouted at Enzo to give up. Cass slammed on the mat to try and pump up his teammate. Gallows charged at Enzo in the corner but Enzo avoided it. Enzo jumped off the second turnbuckle and connected with a DDT. Enzo hit a Dropkick to Gallows’ midsection and then kicked Gallows’ head like it was a football. Enzo then threw his hands up indicating that the field goal was good.

Enzo rolled up Gallows for a two count. Enzo climbed to the top turnbuckle but Anderson leaped up onto the apron. Gallows then slammed Enzo to the mat for the victory. Cass charged at Anderson outside the ring but Anderson retreated.

Winner: Luke Gallows

Reaction: Gallows, Anderson, Enzo and Cass are seemingly stuck in a never-ending feud that nobody really cares about.

Neville and TJ Perkins were backstage. Perkins said that Neville barely escaped his match with Austin Aries last night at Payback. Neville blamed the unprofessionalism of a young WWE official that caused him to get disqualified last night. Neville also stated that he respects Perkins but will not allow anyone to slander the King of the Cruiserweights. Neville informed Perkins that he has a match tonight against Austin Aries and suggested that Perkins make the most of that opportunity.

It was announced that Chris Jericho will defend his United States Championship against Kevin Owens tomorrow night on SmackDown.

Seth Rollins came down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. Rollins stated that for the first time in a long time he is feeling really good. Rollins then gave a mini-motivational speech about overcoming the odds and the “sucky” parts of life. Rollins bragged about defeating Triple H at Wrestlemania 33 and getting payback on Samoa Joe last night at WWE Payback. Rollins stated that there was only one thing left to do and challenged Brock Lesnar. The crowd broke out in a “yes!” chant as Rollins said that he has been to Suplex City and that he is not afraid to go back.

Finn Balor interrupted and said that he respects Rollins. Balor congratulated Rollins on being the one-legged man who defeated Triple H. Balor said that he was the one-armed man that defeated Rollins to become the Universal Championship. Balor said that the line starts with him when it comes to people that should face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.

Dean Ambrose then joined the party and poked fun at Balor and Rollins. Ambrose said that RAW should be about fighting champions and Brock Lesnar barely wrestles. Ambrose claimed that the Intercontinental Championship is the number one title on RAW. This prompted The Miz and Maryse to come down to the entrance ramp.

The Miz claimed that Rollins and Balor haven’t earned anything and called Ambrose an embarrassment of a champion. The Miz stated that he deserves the Intercontinental Championship and boasted about making the IC Title relevant. Balor interrupted and said that Miz was the latest member of the “Finn Balor just kicked my ass club”. Miz called Balor a coward for attacking him last night during the Payback Kickoff Show. Miz made fun of Amborse and said that Ambrose has made the IC Title so unimportant that it wasn’t even defended last night at Payback.

Miz said that the reason everyone hates him is because he is the biggest threat on Monday Night RAW. Ambrose, Balor and Rollins told Miz to shut up at the same time. Ambrose asked the crowd if they would like to see everyone beat up The Miz. Ambrose then pulled out his iPhone and made a call to RAW GM Kurt Angle. Ambrose revealed that there will be a #1 contenders match for the Intercontinental Championship between The Miz, Seth Rollins and Finn Balor.

Reaction: Balor, Rollins or The Miz would all make solid Intercontinental Champions. I’m not sure if it is just the change of scenery, but Ambrose has been much more entertaining since the Superstar Shake-Up. He absolutely hit a wall on SmackDown and it felt like he was phoning it in leading up to Wrestlemania 33. With Lesnar’s constant absence from RAW, the Intercontinental Championship needs to be build up again. My hope is that it remains an important title on RAW from this point forward. There are far too many weeks where both the US Title and the IC Title are left off RAW and SmackDown.

Tony Nese, Noam Dar & Brian Kendrick vs Rich Swann, Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher

Swann, Tozawa and Gallagher all had umbrellas and danced on the ring apron. Tozawa and Kendrick started off the match trading punches. Tozawa took control but Tony Nese entered the match and beatdown Tozawa. Nese mocked Tozawa as he launched him across the ring. Swann and Dar then entered the match and battled back and forth. Gallagher was tagged in and sent Dar out of the ring. Tozawa and Gallagher then launched Nese onto Dar and Kendrick outside the ring. RAW went to a commercial break with Tozawa, Gallagher and Swann in control.

When RAW returned, Kendrick planted Tozawa with a Suplex for a two count. Nese was then tagged in and he flexed in the ring. Nese held up Tozawa for a Suplex for 15 seconds and then simply threw him onto the top rope and Tozawa bounced to the mat. Dar got back into the match and continued the beatdown on Tozawa. Nese was tagged back in and he kicked Tozawa in the chest. Nese applied the Torture Rack to Tozawa. Akira eventually battled his way out of hit was knocked back to the mat by Nese.

Tozawa planted Nese with a German Suplex and tagged in Swann. Swann leveled Kendrick with a Clothesline and followed it up with a Rolling Thunder Splash for a two count. Kendrick went for Sliced Bread No. 2 but Swann avoided it. Gallagher was tagged in and he headbutted Kendrick for a two count. Gallagher then headbutted Nese out of the ring. Kendrick then locked in the Captain’s Hook but Tozawa broke up the hold. Tozawa hit a Suicide Dive onto Dar outside the ring. Swann then flipped onto Tony Nese outside the ring. Back in the ring, Gallagher connected with a running kick on Kendrick while he was leaning against the turnbuckle. Gallagher then pinned Kendrick and picked up the victory for his team.

Winners: Rich Swann, Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher

Reaction: Everyone that wrestled in this match is very talented. The Cruiserweight divsion and 205 Live still have the same issue since it’s inception. There aren’t enough personalities that are featured in the division. Gallagher, Swann and Kendrick are all entertaining with a microphone in their hands. I’d still just like to see more Cruiserweights have their personalities featured on RAW. These matches are entertaining but if people want to watch them, they can just check out the highlights on YouTube. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe these random 6-man tag matches provide any incentive for people to watch 205 Live tomorrow night on the WWE Network.

Sheamus and Cesaro came down to the ring in black jackets and black kilts. Sheamus removed his sunglasses and thanked the crowd for their response as they booed. Sheamus stated that it felt good to finally be set free. Sheamus said that if he is being honest, he never really liked anyone in the WWE Universe. The crowd chanted “you look stupid!” and Sheamus claimed that he didn’t look as stupid as Matt and Jeff Hardy did last night after getting their ass kicked.

Sheamus said that Cesaro had his own “Cesaro section” and he believed that the crowd would get behind them. Sheamus blamed The Hardy Boyz for stealing their moment at Wrestlemania 33. Cesaro grabbed the microphone and stated that these people felt a rush of nostalgia when The Hardys returned. Cesaro claimed that the WWE Universe would rather live in the past or look in the future than look at the present that is standing right in front of them .

Sheamus poked fun at Jeff Hardy losing a tooth last night at Payback and referred to The Hardys as novelty acts. Sheamus stated that WWE now belongs to Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro vowed that they will recapture the RAW Tag Team Championships. The Hardy Boyz then interrupted. Matt Hardy thanked Cesaro and Sheamus for their explanation for the post-match beatdown last night at Payback. Matt and Jeff then did the “delete!” motion and charged the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro got out of the ring and retreated.

Reaction: Sheamus cut a really solid promo here and some of his points were actually valid about fans living in the past. I think this feud has the potential to be awesome and I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold over the next few weeks on RAW.

The Miz was interviewed backstage alongside Maryse. Miz began to boast and Dean Ambrose took the microphone away from Charly Caruso. The Miz got pissed off when Ambrose asked him about his hair gel and walked away. Ambrose then said “this is Mean Dean Ambrose signing off, Gene and Bobby back to you at ringside”.

Apollo Crews vs Heath Slater

Crews was conversing with Slater and Rhyno earlier in the evening about becoming a father. Titus O’Neil was pissed off by this and said that Crews should be coming to him for advice.

The match started off back and forth. Crews leveled Slater with a Clothesline and went for a kick but missed. Slater then missed with a kick of his own and Crews connected with a kick to the side of Slater’s head. Crews then planted Slater with a Powerbomb for the victory. O’Neil then shoved the referee out of the way and raised Apollo’s hand. Titus went to take a selfie with Crews but Rhyno photobombed it.

Winner: Apollo Crews

RAW GM Kurt Angle came down to the ring as the crowd chanted “you suck!” along with his theme song. Angle called the match last night between Reigns and Strowman the most physical match he has ever seen. Angle revealed that Reigns re-injured his ribs and Strowman tore his rotator cuff. Angle also said that Reigns and Strowman were not done with each other. The lights in the arena went out and Bray Wyatt appeared on the entrance ramp. Wyatt made his way to the ring and confronted Kurt Angle.

Wyatt apologized for the interruption and introduced himself as Bray Wyatt and extended his hand. Angle shook Wyatt’s hand and Bray stated that he means Angle no harm. Bray Wyatt said that he closed the chapter of Randy Orton last night at Payback. Wyatt claimed that he was reborn on Monday Night RAW and is going to write a new story. Wyatt said that there was an evil all around us and that he holds the cure. Bray said that Angle needs him and Bray then asked Angle if he was going to allow him to do his work or stand in his way. Angle stated that he doesn’t know what Bray has planned, but he told Bray to remember that this was his show. Bray then laughed and said that RAW may be Angle’s show, but this is his world.

Reaction: I refuse to fall for the Bray Wyatt hype again. I hope that Bray Wyatt is entertaining every Monday night on RAW. I still haven’t gotten over the stink of his Wrestlemania 33 match and the terrible House of Horrors match last night. I spent years waiting for Wyatt to finally get his shot with the WWE Championship and WWE completely butchered it. It is pretty much impossible to get invested in a Bray Wyatt storyline at the moment. Also, a torn rotator cuff usually takes months to recover from. I’m guessing that is just storyline when it comes to Strowman, because it would make zero sense in the real world to plan any future matches for Strowman right now.

Dean Ambrose continued his reporter shtick and interviewed Rollins backstage. Rollins said that Ambrose should know that he has was it takes to take the IC Title from him. Ambrose stated that he is looking forward to tossing Rollins around the ring if Rollins becomes the #1 contender later tonight.

Austin Aries vs TJ Perkins

The match started out back and forth. Perkins hung up Aries on the turnbuckle and stomped on him as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Perkins dabbed over Aries and applied a Chinlock to Aries. Austin fought out of it but Perkins knocked him right back to the mat. Aries was once again stuck in the corner and Perkins stomped on his knee. Booker T said that he was not a fan of Rich Swann during this match, despite stating that he was a fan of him while Swann was performing earlier.

Aries charged at Perkins in the corner but TJ moved and Aries slammed into the ring post. Perkins then applied a Half Crab while Aries was hung up between the ropes. Perkins went outside the ring and grabbed Aries’ legs. Perkins was about to slam Aries’ knee into the ring post but Aries countered it and Perkins’ head bounced off the ring post. Aries then leveled Perkins with a Suicide Dive as Neville was shown shaking his head backstage.

Back in the ring, Aries connected with a couple of chops and then hit a Gutbuster, STO and followed it all up with a Pendulum Elbow. Aries then hit another elbow off the second rope for a two count. Aries slapped his own knee to get some feeling back into it and went for a Suplex on Perkins. TJ avoided it but Aries Suplexed him. Aries was then able to lock in the Last Chancery after countering TJ’s Detonation Kick for the submission victory.

After the match, Perkins attacked Aries and targeted his knee. Perkins applied the Knee Bar and Aries screamed in pain. Perkins then removed his wrist tape and tossed it at Aries in disgust as he exited the ring.

Winner: Austin Aries

Reaction: I’ve said it for weeks, TJ Perkins is much better as a heel. He just needs new entrance music because it doesn’t fit his character right now.

Dean Ambrose interviewed Finn Balor backstage and asked if he was nervous. Balor stated that he eats nerves and produces results. Ambrose then handed Balor a donut and said he was too skinny. Balor took a bite of it and walked away. The Drifter then walked by Ambrose playing a guitar. RAW went to a commercial break while Ambrose finished off the rest of the donut.

Reaction: “I eat nerves and produce results” is one of the strangest lines I’ve ever heard. The Ambrose as a reporter joke was funny once. Thus, WWE decided to beat it into the ground throughout the episode of RAW.

R-Truth and Goldust were backstage and asked RAW GM Kurt Angle for a RAW Tag Team Championship match against The Hardy Boyz. Angle said that he couldn’t make the match because the Golden Truth’s win/loss ratio was terrible. Goldust and R-Truth stated that they really needed this. Angle made a Tag Team Turmoil match next week and the winner of that match will become the #1 contenders for the RAW Tag Team Championships.

Triple Threat Match To Determine The #1 Contender For The Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor vs The Miz vs Seth Rollins

The Miz rolled out of the ring right when the match started and the crowd booed. Miz instructed Balor and Rollins to fight and they obliged. Balor went for a quick roll up and Rollins kicked out. Miz rolled into the ring for a second and then immediately exited. Rollins went for another quick pin and once again Miz got into the ring for a second. Balor kicked out and Miz immediately rolled back out of the ring.

Balor and Rollins then got out of the ring and chased Miz around. Balor and Rollins then cornered Miz in the ring and Miz tried to form an alliance with both of them. Both Rollins and Balor refused and beat the hell out of Miz. Balor threw Miz out of the ring and Rollins tried to steal the match with a roll up. Balor kicked out and Rollins kicked Miz off the ring apron. Balor then connected with a Dropkick to Rollins’ face.

The Miz tripped up Balor on the ring apron and Finn fell to the floor outside the ring. Rollins Dropkicked Miz off the ring apron and went for a Suicide Dive but Miz hid behind Maryse. Rollins then connected with a Crossbody onto The Miz. Back in the ring, Balor connected with a kick to Rollins. Miz booted Balor in the face and Rollins climbed to the top turnbuckle. Miz shoved Rollins off the top turnbuckle and Rollins smashed into the barricade outside the ring. RAW went to a commercial break with The Miz standing tall in the ring.

When RAW returned, Miz was still in control of the match but that didn’t last long. Balor knocked Miz to the mat and hit him with a Dropkick to the head. Rollins then flew into view and hit a Crossbody onto Balor. Rollins landed awkwardly on the side of his head. Miz then launched Rollins into the ring post. Miz hit a couple of Dropkicks on Rollins in the corner and followed it up with a Clothesline. Miz then climbed to the top turnbuckle and clubbed Rollins across the face. Miz and Rollins were on the mat in the ring and Balor was on the floor outside the ring.

Miz connected with a couple of right hands to Rollins. Balor got up to the ring apron and Miz sent Rollins flying into him and Balor once again fell to the floor outside the ring. Balor returned to the ring and was greeted with a kick to the ribs by Miz. The Miz then delivered a few Yes! Kicks to Rollins and Balor. Balor sent Miz into Rollins and Seth set him up for a DDT. Balor then connected with a Dropkick to Rollins and Seth drilled Miz with a DDT at the same time. The crowd started to chant “this is awesome” as the three Superstars got back up to their feet.

Balor hit Rollins with a chop in the corner and kicked Miz out of the ring. Balor kept up his momentum by knocking Rollins out of the ring with a Clothesline. Balor then got on the ring apron and punted The Miz’s head while he was standing outside the ring. Balor then sprinted around the ring and delivered a devastating Dropkick to Rollins in the corner. Back in the ring, Balor hit Rollins with a 1916 and went for a pinfall but Miz hurried to the ring and broke it up.

Miz was then tossed out of the ring again by Balor. Finn planted Rollins with a Slingblade, but was dragged out of the ring and crotched up against the ring post by The Miz. Rollins rolled up The Miz for a two count. Miz then Dropkicked Rollins’ knee and connected with a DDT for a two count. The Miz went for the Figure Four as Balor writhed in pain outside the ring. Miz was able to lock in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring and the crowd chanted “woo!”. Balor sprinted back in the ring and once again punted Miz’s head to break up the Figure Four.

The crowd once again chanted “this is awesome!” as the three Superstars battled in the ring. Balor connected with a chop to Miz and Rollins laid him out with kick. Balor connected with a kick to Rollins but Seth bounced off the ropes and hit a Superkick on Balor for a two count. Rollins hit a Splash on Balor in the corner and then smashed Miz’s head into the second turnbuckle. Rollins then hit a double Blockbuster off the second rope onto Balor and Miz. Rollins then climbed up the turnbuckle and hit a massive Frog Splash for a two count.

Maryse paced around outside the ring in frustration as Miz climbed up the turnbuckle. Rollins greeted Miz on the top turnbuckle and delivered a massive Superplex. Rollins then rolled through and hit a Falcon Arrow on Miz for a two count. The crowd chanted “holy sh**!” as Rollins sprinted across the ring and hit a Suicide Dive onto Balor outside the ring. Rollins then hit a Suicide Dive onto Miz on the opposite side of the ring. Samoa Joe then attacked Rollins outside the ring and slammed him to the floor.

Back in the ring, Balor Dropkicked Miz into the turnbuckle and climbed up to the top rope. Balor was going for the Coupe De Grace but the lights went out in the arena. Bray then planted Balor with the Sister Abigail and the lights went out in the arena again. When the lights came back on, Miz crawled towards Balor and pinned him for the victory.

Winner & New #1 Contender For The Intercontinental Championship: The Miz

Reaction: What a match this was. The ending was a bit disappointing because I’m not really interested in yet another Miz and Ambrose match. Having said that, this match was absolutely terrific and worth checking out if you missed it. Overall, this was one of the better episodes of RAW I’ve seen in awhile. It certainly had it’s eye-rolling moments but for the most part I was entertained throughout the show.

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

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