By Mark Rodriguez
Since my work schedule changed, I can finally watch RAW and Smackdown again. For the month of October I'll go into the episodes and if all goes well, I might review them again if my new schedule allows it past October. Since RAW is 3 hours and I'll be covering it as it happens LIVE, I'll do my best to cover the matches since I don't have the benefit of pausing or rewinding. I will add what I think are the high and low points of the show at the end.
Fair warning, I love wrestling and just enjoy the crazy shenanigans, so I might not be as tired and jagged as many long-time fans who constantly say WWE is getting worse and worse. It doesn't mean I'll be giving high scores all around, if there's stuff I don't like, I'll be sure to mention it, but certain things that might piss off more hardcore fans, I might not mind as much. At the end of the day, it's all entertainment.
Let's see what the WWE Superstars are up to as Bobby Lashley takes on Kevin Owens and Ronda Rousey faces Ruby Riot.
Dean Ambrose segment
Strauman, Ziggler and Drew tried to hint that Ambrose isn't happy with the SHIELD last week on RAW, so now he gets interviewed on if he will turn his back on them. Despite epic pauses, Ambrose assures everyone that he will stand by his brothers, Reigns and Rollins.
Just then, Corbin comes in and tells Ambrose that he will give him a choice of three matches. Ambrose vs Rollins for the Intercontinental Title, Ambrose vs Reigns for the Universal Title, or a one on one match with Strauman. Ambrose says he'd rather take on Corbin himself. Corbin said he'll make the choice for him and sends Strauman after him.
Match one- Dean Ambrose vs Braun Strauman
Strauman would still out-muscle Ambrose and hit him with a Power Slam. It looked like he was going to Power Slam him again, but then Roman Reigns came in. The moment he hit Strauman with the Superman Punch, Ambrose lost by DQ. Rollins and Reigns pushed Strauman out of the ring, though the Monster still won due to the outside interference.
Just then Ziggler and Drew come in with Corbin. Corbin announces that Rollins will face Drew later on but Roman Reigns will face Dolph Ziggler right now.
There is a minor segment of Rollins checking in on Ambrose, and he seems pretty angry they cost him the match. He tells Rollins he could have been the Intercontinental Champion if he wanted.
Second Match- Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler
Reigns was ready to put the title on the line but Corbin would tell him that both his match and the Rollins match are both non-title matches. Ziggler takes this chance to attack Reigns and get him into a hold to try to make him submit. Reigns fought out of it but also got hit by Ziggler's Famouser slam.
Ziggler would get Reigns in a Sleeper Hold until The Big Dog could finally slam his back against the turnpost. Reigns would gran him for a slam but Ziggler raked him across the eyes and hit him with the Zig Zag, but The Big Dog still kicks out. Reigns tried to go for The Spear but Ziggler caught him and went for a pin. Reigns kicked out and managed to connect with the Spear and scored the win.
Also I notice that even though Reigns is part of the SHIELD, and we're supposed to be rooting for the SHIELD to put Ziggler and his cronies away, and we're not supposed to want Ziggler to win, people still can't booing Reigns. Ridiculous. I don't care what you might say about him as on solo matched but if he's fighting on behalf of a team you're rooting for, knock it the hell off. Or we'll bring Gable back to take his place.
Third Match- Ronda Rousey (with the Bella Twins) VS Ruby Riot (and the Riott Squad)
Ruby had decent control of the match, getting Rousey in all sorts of painful holds, mostly trapping her in the ropes with her thumb pulling back the side of her mouth. Rousey got distracted and kicked Sarah Logan away and was almost pinned by Ruby. Rousey finally got fired up and unleashed a series of punches on the leader of the Riott Squad. Ruby would try to hit her with the Riott Kick, but Rousey caught her and hit her with a slam. She then got her in the Armbar and Ruby tapped out. Rousey is still the RAW Women's Champion.
Fourth Match- Bobby Roode (with Chad Gable) VS Konnor (of the Ascension with Viktor)
Konnor showed his power against Bobby Roode with slams and a choke hold. The Glorious One finally got some offense in and lept off the top tope, slamming Konnor down. However as Bobby would pose, Viktor would take down Gable. With Bobby distracted, Konnor would grab him in a Gut Wrench Slam and win the match.
A Moment of Bliss
Alexa tells the story of how she once met Trish Stratus when she was a young fan, and she basically tore up her autograph book in her face. Alexa is eager to take her down at Evolution.
Fifth Match- The B-Team VS The Revival
The match basically started with the B-Team's intro... and then suddenly Curtis Axel being attacked by The Revival. Dawson and Wilder would take turn getting Axel in an Armlock while keeping Bo out of the match. Axel managed to tag Dallas in and he took Dawson down and went for the pin with Axel making sure Wilder stayed out of it and got the win. As The B-Team walked off in victory, they got jumped by AoP who would grab them both and slammed them with the Super Collider.
Reigns checks on Ambrose and tells him they wanted to make sure Strauman wouldn't hurt him because they need him for the upcoming match in Australia (Super Showdown). Ambrose tells Reigns that if he wasn't such a nice guy, he might have been the Universal Champion now.
There is a brief segment of Corbin congratulating AoP for their tactics.
WWE takes some time out to show awareness of breast cancer, featuring such stars as Natalya, Naomi and Sasha Banks. They congratulates the researchers and fundraisers towards this noble cause as well as brave survivors.
You can visit Koman.org/DonateWWE if you wish to donate.
There is a brief segment where Ziggler tells Strauman and Drew that he can feel that Ambrose will break up the SHIELD. Strauman admits Ambrose is tough and they could use someone strong like him on their side. He tells McIntyre to defeat Rollins and they don't need any weak links, hinting that Ziggler is the weak link in their group. Ziggler looks towards McIntyre for reassurance, but he just walks off.
Sixth Match- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre
Seth and Drew start slugging it out, the Architect not being afraid of his opponent's size. Seth was in control until he tried to leap off the ropes and Drew kicked him in the ribs while he was still in the air. McIntyre would slam Rollins onto the edge of the mat.
Drew would dodge The Stomp, but Rollins would slam him into the Falcon Arrow. Despise the size and weight difference, Seth managed to lift Drew and toss him into a Buckle Bomb. As he was about to win, Dolph Ziggler came in to distract him. Drew nailed Rollins with the Claymore Kick and got the win.
Reigns came in, and so did Strauman. Ambrose came in with an axe handle to even up the odds, but Strauman would overpower him. The SHIELD was destroyed by the combined forces of Ziggler, McIntyre and Strauman, and the trio copy the SHIELD's arm pose upon the defeated brothers in arms.
Elias and Kevin Owens segment?
There is a segment of Elias and Owens trash talking Lashley and Cena since they have a match with them at Super Showdown. Just then Lio Rush brings in Bobby Lashley for his match with Owens.
Seventh Match- Bobby Lashley VS Kevin Owens
Both guys would try to overpower each other with Lashley dominating the beginning of the match. Owens finally got the offense on Lashley and control of the match (during the commercial break), and slamming him across the steps. Elias would start attacking Lio and this would distract Lashley long enough for Kevin to score the win. Then both Owens and Elias would beat the heck out of Lashley and declare their victory.
Since my work schedule changed, I can finally watch RAW and Smackdown again. For the month of October I'll go into the episodes and if all goes well, I might review them again if my new schedule allows it past October. Since RAW is 3 hours and I'll be covering it as it happens LIVE, I'll do my best to cover the matches since I don't have the benefit of pausing or rewinding. I will add what I think are the high and low points of the show at the end.
Fair warning, I love wrestling and just enjoy the crazy shenanigans, so I might not be as tired and jagged as many long-time fans who constantly say WWE is getting worse and worse. It doesn't mean I'll be giving high scores all around, if there's stuff I don't like, I'll be sure to mention it, but certain things that might piss off more hardcore fans, I might not mind as much. At the end of the day, it's all entertainment.
Let's see what the WWE Superstars are up to as Bobby Lashley takes on Kevin Owens and Ronda Rousey faces Ruby Riot.
Dean Ambrose segment
Strauman, Ziggler and Drew tried to hint that Ambrose isn't happy with the SHIELD last week on RAW, so now he gets interviewed on if he will turn his back on them. Despite epic pauses, Ambrose assures everyone that he will stand by his brothers, Reigns and Rollins.
Just then, Corbin comes in and tells Ambrose that he will give him a choice of three matches. Ambrose vs Rollins for the Intercontinental Title, Ambrose vs Reigns for the Universal Title, or a one on one match with Strauman. Ambrose says he'd rather take on Corbin himself. Corbin said he'll make the choice for him and sends Strauman after him.
Ambrose tried to kick down Strauman's legs, but the Monster Among Men would overpower Dean and get him stuck in a hold that looked like he's trying to tear his head off or snap his neck. Ambrose finally got some offense by getting him in a guillotine hold to wear him out, but Strauman would regain control. Ambrose got Strauman in the Dirty Deeds, but the Monster still kicked out. Ambrose managed to throw Strauman into the steels steps and he would actually be retreating from the Lunatic Fringe.
Strauman would still out-muscle Ambrose and hit him with a Power Slam. It looked like he was going to Power Slam him again, but then Roman Reigns came in. The moment he hit Strauman with the Superman Punch, Ambrose lost by DQ. Rollins and Reigns pushed Strauman out of the ring, though the Monster still won due to the outside interference.
Just then Ziggler and Drew come in with Corbin. Corbin announces that Rollins will face Drew later on but Roman Reigns will face Dolph Ziggler right now.
There is a minor segment of Rollins checking in on Ambrose, and he seems pretty angry they cost him the match. He tells Rollins he could have been the Intercontinental Champion if he wanted.
Second Match- Roman Reigns VS Dolph Ziggler
Reigns was ready to put the title on the line but Corbin would tell him that both his match and the Rollins match are both non-title matches. Ziggler takes this chance to attack Reigns and get him into a hold to try to make him submit. Reigns fought out of it but also got hit by Ziggler's Famouser slam.
Ziggler would get Reigns in a Sleeper Hold until The Big Dog could finally slam his back against the turnpost. Reigns would gran him for a slam but Ziggler raked him across the eyes and hit him with the Zig Zag, but The Big Dog still kicks out. Reigns tried to go for The Spear but Ziggler caught him and went for a pin. Reigns kicked out and managed to connect with the Spear and scored the win.
Also I notice that even though Reigns is part of the SHIELD, and we're supposed to be rooting for the SHIELD to put Ziggler and his cronies away, and we're not supposed to want Ziggler to win, people still can't booing Reigns. Ridiculous. I don't care what you might say about him as on solo matched but if he's fighting on behalf of a team you're rooting for, knock it the hell off. Or we'll bring Gable back to take his place.
Third Match- Ronda Rousey (with the Bella Twins) VS Ruby Riot (and the Riott Squad)
Ruby had decent control of the match, getting Rousey in all sorts of painful holds, mostly trapping her in the ropes with her thumb pulling back the side of her mouth. Rousey got distracted and kicked Sarah Logan away and was almost pinned by Ruby. Rousey finally got fired up and unleashed a series of punches on the leader of the Riott Squad. Ruby would try to hit her with the Riott Kick, but Rousey caught her and hit her with a slam. She then got her in the Armbar and Ruby tapped out. Rousey is still the RAW Women's Champion.
Fourth Match- Bobby Roode (with Chad Gable) VS Konnor (of the Ascension with Viktor)
Konnor showed his power against Bobby Roode with slams and a choke hold. The Glorious One finally got some offense in and lept off the top tope, slamming Konnor down. However as Bobby would pose, Viktor would take down Gable. With Bobby distracted, Konnor would grab him in a Gut Wrench Slam and win the match.
A Moment of Bliss
Alexa tells the story of how she once met Trish Stratus when she was a young fan, and she basically tore up her autograph book in her face. Alexa is eager to take her down at Evolution.
Fifth Match- The B-Team VS The Revival
The match basically started with the B-Team's intro... and then suddenly Curtis Axel being attacked by The Revival. Dawson and Wilder would take turn getting Axel in an Armlock while keeping Bo out of the match. Axel managed to tag Dallas in and he took Dawson down and went for the pin with Axel making sure Wilder stayed out of it and got the win. As The B-Team walked off in victory, they got jumped by AoP who would grab them both and slammed them with the Super Collider.
Reigns checks on Ambrose and tells him they wanted to make sure Strauman wouldn't hurt him because they need him for the upcoming match in Australia (Super Showdown). Ambrose tells Reigns that if he wasn't such a nice guy, he might have been the Universal Champion now.
There is a brief segment of Corbin congratulating AoP for their tactics.
WWE takes some time out to show awareness of breast cancer, featuring such stars as Natalya, Naomi and Sasha Banks. They congratulates the researchers and fundraisers towards this noble cause as well as brave survivors.
You can visit Koman.org/DonateWWE if you wish to donate.
There is a brief segment where Ziggler tells Strauman and Drew that he can feel that Ambrose will break up the SHIELD. Strauman admits Ambrose is tough and they could use someone strong like him on their side. He tells McIntyre to defeat Rollins and they don't need any weak links, hinting that Ziggler is the weak link in their group. Ziggler looks towards McIntyre for reassurance, but he just walks off.
Sixth Match- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre
Seth and Drew start slugging it out, the Architect not being afraid of his opponent's size. Seth was in control until he tried to leap off the ropes and Drew kicked him in the ribs while he was still in the air. McIntyre would slam Rollins onto the edge of the mat.
Reigns came in, and so did Strauman. Ambrose came in with an axe handle to even up the odds, but Strauman would overpower him. The SHIELD was destroyed by the combined forces of Ziggler, McIntyre and Strauman, and the trio copy the SHIELD's arm pose upon the defeated brothers in arms.
Elias and Kevin Owens segment?
There is a segment of Elias and Owens trash talking Lashley and Cena since they have a match with them at Super Showdown. Just then Lio Rush brings in Bobby Lashley for his match with Owens.
Seventh Match- Bobby Lashley VS Kevin Owens
Both guys would try to overpower each other with Lashley dominating the beginning of the match. Owens finally got the offense on Lashley and control of the match (during the commercial break), and slamming him across the steps. Elias would start attacking Lio and this would distract Lashley long enough for Kevin to score the win. Then both Owens and Elias would beat the heck out of Lashley and declare their victory.
Eighth Match- Mixed Match Challenge- Fin Balor and Bayley vs Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
With 15 minutes left to go, I was honestly surprised there was still room for another match, plus I thought the Mixed Match Challenge has its own show. Alicia Fox put on a decent showing, getting Bayley into a Slingblade and some other moves. Bayley soon got the upperhand but was distracted by Jinder. Fin would take Jinder down and Bayley grabbed Fox in a Byaley to Belly slam and won the match. Fin and Jinder never got to square off in the ring at all.
Shawn Micheal segment goes insane
Shawn Micheals steps out to hype everyone up for the big match between Undertaker and Triple H at Super Showdown. He states that if Kane gets involved, so will he. Just then Kane appears behind him and attacks him. The Undertaker himself shows up. Triple H runs in to fight them off and Shawn gets involved as well. However, Micheals and Triple H fall victim to a double choke slam by the Brothers of Destruction. To top it off, Undertaker comes back to deliver a Tombstone piledriver on Triple H.
The Highs of Tonight's RAW
- Corbin planting seeds of doubt regarding if Dean Ambrose will turn on the SHIELD or not.
Ambrose delivering a cryptic message to both Rollins and Reigns kept the interest piqued throughout the night. I halfway expected him to clobber everyone with that axe handle, including his brothers.
- All three matches between the SHIELD and Strauman's team were awesome.
Rollins continues to deliver quality matches and McIntyre makes for a powerhouse opponent
- Also seems like Ziggler might get booted off the team
- Ruby put up the best fight she could against Powerhouse Rousey and Rousey won without lame Bella interference or Brie Botches
Minot note, but love the new hair on both Ruby and Liv, and glad to see Liv is OK even if she stayed out of the action tonight.
- It's always awesome seeing Undertaker and Kane together, taking souls and digging holes.
People might complain that WWE keeps favoring their classic stars over the current roster, but you knew these four will get the pop of the night, every time. Shawn didn't outright say he is going to fight, but just keep Kane out of the match, but that might be a surprise saved for the PPV. We might see Sweet Chin Music yet!
The Lows of Tonight's RAW-
- How did Bobby Roode sink so low, reduced to one on one matches with one of The Ascension, who were also big names that were very low on the ranks.
I honestly can't tell if I'm supposed to root for The Ascension or feel angry that Roode was done like that, because honestly they both deserve decent pushes. Gable has got to go.
- Kinda didn't like Corbin drawing out his scheme to all three matches, but they were all good so I'm conflicted on the matter.
And shouldn't Ziggler and McIntyre be mad at Corbin for removing title matches? They had both had a shot at titles!
- I might catch heat for this but I'm just not invested in Elias/Owens/Lashley/Lio at all.
I know Elias has his fanbase and want him to get a title run, but he's still just the 'guy who always gets interrupted while trying to play a guitar solo' and not an actual wrestler to me. Why the hell has Owens started buddying up with him anyway?
-Hate that Rousey got stuck with the Bellas.
She's a powerhouse and a real fighter and shouldn't be saddled with those two outdated wannabes in an era of Women over Divas
- Mixed Match was just unnecessary and Fin never even got to fight Jinder properly
- How can we respect the B-Team if even RAW doesn't?
We didn't even know who they were fighting or anything and then suddenly- RANDOM REVIVAL MATCH. I know they're filler matches but like, don't make it so obvious.
Overall opinions-
Overall great episode, despite the filler. It might seem the lows outnumber the highs, but the three matches between the SHIELD members and their opponents were pretty long and the matches of the night. Even Strauman got to admit that Ambrose was one tough dude. It's the perfect lead in to Super Showdown as now we don't know if Ambrose will turn on his bros, but if Strauman and McIntyre will also turn on Ziggler. The Shawn Micheals segment went from confirming stuff everybody knew, to all hell breaking loose. I was not expecting Undertaker to make an appearance and what a perfect way to end it with the Brothers of Destruction doing what they do best. Great way to hype the PPV.
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