Raw Review 10/29/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Friday’s Crown Jewel event! Last week Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins defeated Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler to become the new Raw Tag Team champions, but after a shocking turn by Ambrose what will be next for these two? Plus, what last-minute mind games or words will be said between DX and The Brother’s of Destruction before their epic showdown on Friday? Ronda Rousey was able to knock off Nikki Bella to retain the Raw Women’s Championship, but what will Ronda do now that Nia Jax is waiting for her? Finally, will the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman have any last minute words for Brock Lesnar before they meet for the Universal Championship?

Raw comes to us from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young

In Ring Segment: Baron Corbin
Corbin says last week was one of the most emotional nights as general manager and of his career. He says that was last week but life goes on. He says personally he wishes Roman the best but professionally he hopes if he comes back it’s not to Raw. he says this title looks good on him. He tells Roman made life difficult but he’s cut off as Brock Lesnar’s music hits.
Corbin says let’s hear it for one half of the Universal Championship match. Heyman cuts him off and does his normal Brock Lesnar spiel. Heyman says we live in historic times and four days from now history will be made again when Brock Lesnar takes that championship home and places it over his massive shoulders. Heyman then says this Friday Brock Lesnar will beat Braun Strowman. He says that is a guarantee. Heyman says this Friday a milestone of his career comes to a head when Brock Lesnar F5’s Braun Strowman to become the Universal Champion. Heyman says this Friday you can see history unfold before your very eyes. Here comes Braun Strowman.
Braun says at Crown Jewel he is going to become the new Universal Champion because you’re gonna get these hands. Corbin steps in front of Braun and he pushes him. Corbin comes back for more and Bruan hits him with a power slam. He then faces off with Lesnar before he hits Corbin with another power slam. He follows with a third. Lesnar then comes from behind and hits Braun with an F5.
My Opinion:
This match is gonna be huge on Friday. This is Braun’s chance to reach that next level if he can beat Lesnar. Lesnar has the experience but Braun seems to be ready. Even though Brock got the best of him with the F5, Braun got right back up and was ready to go. Brock will have to hit more than just one F5 if he is gonna beat Braun, but I hope Braun whether’s the course and wins his first Universal Championship.

Match 1: Finn Balor vs Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush
Lashley grabs Balor and drives him into the corner. He takes him to the other corner and buries his shoulder into Balor. Lashley slams Balor and then targets his neck. Lashley then goes to a vice grip and keeps Balor on the mat. Lashley picks him up but Balor fights off and hits a dropkick sending Lashley to the floor. Balor then flies taking out Lashley on the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Lasley continues with the vice grip. Lashley then does a waist lock takedown and slams Balor. Lashley then goes back to the vice grip on Balor. Lashley lands a knee and then toys with Balor in the corner. Lashley throws him into the corner but Balor gets his feet up. Balor then hits a big forearm and takes down Lashley. Balor keeps on fighting and hits a big stomp to the mid-section. Lashley fights back with a chop. Lashley catches Balor and plants him. Lashley goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Lashley goes for a suplex but Balor lands on his feet and lands a sling blade. Balor then drives him into the turnbuckles. Balor goes to the top but is shoved off by Rush. Balor catches Lashley with a kick and then goes up top again but Rush knocks him down and the ref calls for the bell.
*** After the match Lashley drives Balor into the ring apron and then the barricade. Lashley brings him back into the ring and puts on a full nelson. Rush then gets in and slaps Balor.
Winner: Finn Balor: Via DQ
My Opinion:
Balor gets the win but ultimately paid in the end. Lashley and Rush could be a good team but I don’t get where they’re going with this. Lashley turned so quick and no he’s not even getting wins. Lashley is just beating up people but isn’t getting the job done when it counts. We will see where this goes but I think Rush and Lashley are going to have come up with a new game plan if he’s gonna have some success.
Backstage Segment:

Corbin tells Rush and Lashley what they did to Balor was impressive. He says it was good to finally see him get his. Lashley says Finn is good but he is nowhere close to his level. Corbin tells Lashley because of tonight he qualifies for Crown Jewel. Lashley asks who he is replacing. Corbin says someone who didn’t qualify John Cena.

Match 2: Trish Stratus & Lita & Sasha Banks & Bayley & Natalya vs The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan) & Mickie James & Alicia Fox
Stratus and Logan start the match. Stratus hits a snap mare and toys with her. Strauts then takes down both Riott and Logan. Morgan tags in and Stratus takes her down too. Lita gets the tag and flies off of Stratus to hits a clothesline on Morgan. Lita then hits a hurricanrana and follows with a kick. Lita then hits a DDT and goes up top but Morgan is pulled out of the ring. Bayley and Sasha come to assist and they take out all five women as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bayley is in control of Alicia. Sasha comes in and they double team, Bayley. Stratus gets the tag and this time her and Sasha double team Alicia. Fox gets in control and tries a cover on Sasha but she kicks out. James comes in and wears down Sasha. James goes to a half nelson and works Sasha on the mat. James hits her with a big knee and sends her into the corner. Banks comes off the turnbuckle over James but can’t get the tag. Logan gets the tag and tries a suplex but Sasha rolls her up. Logan kicks out. Logan hits a dropkick and tries a cover of her own but Sasha kicks out. Logan lands a takedown on Sasha slamming her to the mat. Sasha lands an arm drag but Logan gets right back on her and drives her into the corner. Riott gets the tag and takes it to Sasha. Riott locks in a front face lock but Sasha backs her up. Riott lands a cheap shot and stays on Sasha sending her into the turnbuckle. Sasha moves and Riott runs into her team. Fox comes in and stops Sasha from getting the tag. Sasha fights her off and tags Natalya. Natalya takes it to Fox. she hits a big dropkick and then a spinning lariat. Natalya tries the cover but Logan breaks the cover. James goes up top but Stratus takes her down. Sasha lands a Meteora. Lita and Bayley hit a double twist of fate. Bayley then goes to the top and hits the elbow. Lita then goes up top and hits a Litasault. Natalya and Lita then hit the heart attack. Natalya goes for the cover but Fox kicks out. Natalya locks in the sharpshooter and Fox taps out.
Winners: Trish Stratus & Lita & Sasha Banks & Bayley & Natalya
My Opinion:
This was an awesome special match! I was so happy to see Lita and Trish out there again tonight, they looked awesome! I was very impressed with Alicia Fox in this match, she took a lot of damage and hung in there. This was also a good showing for The Riott Squad, who are more dangerous than ever.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla welcomes Nia and congratulates her. She then asks Nia when she is gonna face, Ronda. Nia says as soon as Ronda makes Beck tap I’ll be waiting. Ember Moon comes in and says she gets chills thinking about last night. Nia tells Ember she was incredible, but she is the one who won and asks Kayla if she wants to ask her more questions. Ember says she is so thankful for all the guidance from Nia. She tells Nia she respects her and challenges her to a match. Nia says she is on and like last night she will beat her.

In Ring/ Backstage Segment: Elias
Elias comes out and talks about his day with Ric Flair. He then brings up last week and what he did to Baron Corbin. He says he doesn’t think Corbin can make it out after earlier but he will go to him. Corbin then goes backstage. Dana asks Elias if he can play her a song and she says no. He knocks on the door of Baron Corbin and Corbin tells him to go away. Elias then starts singing him a song. Corbin comes out and then goes back in. Mahal comes from behind and attacks Elias. Corbin tells Elias he has a match with Mahal next.

Match 3: Elias vs Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brother’s
Mahal backs Elias into the corner but is backed off. Mahal gets around on him but Elias hits him with big rights. Elias then drops him to the mat. Mahal comes back with a big back body drop. Mahal then lands a huge kick to the ribs. Mahal then hits Elias with a kick to the groin. Mahal locks in a chin lock and wrenches on Elias. Mahal then goes to the shoulder of Elias and switches to a body lock. Mahal toys with Elias and keeps the pressure on Elias’s ribs. Mahal then goes to an abdominal stretch. Mahal switches to a waist lock but Elis fights out with a series of elbows. Elias tries to fight back but Mahal stops him for a moment. Elias lands a kick and then tees off on Mahal. Elias gets of the way of Mahal and then hits Drift Away. Elias gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Elias
My Opinion:
Awesome to see Elias get the big win. It’s about time he gets one and I hope this is a fresh start for him. He’s over with the fans and he has so much talent. I hope Elias keeps it up and we see him get a big push in the future.

Match 4: The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor) vs Chad Gable & Bobby Roode vs Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick)
***Before the match Roode and Gable and The Ascension go after AOP as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Gable takes it to Rezar. Konnor tags in and takes out Rezar. He hits a spine buster on Gable but Akam breaks the cover. Gale fights back but Viktor gets the tag. Gable fights him off and tags Roode. Roode stacks up Viktor and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match AOP takes out both teams.
Winners: Chad Gable & Bobby Roode
My Opinion:
A very quick match so I can’t call it a good win for Roode and Gable. The real story here is the dominance of AOP at the end of the match taking out both teams. AOP is ready to take over the tag division and are ready to be tag champs. I think it’s their time right now with how the tag team championship situation is going.

In Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Rollins says it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. Rollins tells all the love and support sent to Roman Reigns is beautiful and powerful. Rollins says last week he became the Raw Tag Team Champion for the third time. He says he’s sad though because he should be out here celebrating with Dean Ambrose but he turned his back on him, and The Shield and all of us. He says it’s been making him feel guilty because he’s wondering if it’s his fault. He wondered if what he did four years ago Ambrose just couldn’t get over. He says he feels frustrated and confused and the only one who has the answers is Dean Ambrose. He says Dean only will be found when he wants but he knew he could find him tonight. He asks Ambrose to come out and tell us why. He says you wanted the spotlight so come out and have it. Ambrose music hits. Ambrose shows up in the crowd. Rollins tells him to come down and face him like a man and give him the answers he deserves. Rollins says at least when he did it he had the decency to stare them in the eyes and tell them why he did it. He tells him again to come face him like a man. Rollins then calls him a cold-hearted bastard. Rollins says in the most emotional night of The shield he spat on us and made it all about him. He tells Ambrose he wanted the spotlight and he has it and as long as he lives he’s gonna make his life a living hell. He then calls him a soulless lunatic. Rollins tells him to stay right there and he’ll come beat an answer out of him. Ambrose walks away before Rollins does.
My Opinion:
I was not a fan of Ambrose turning last week but since it did happen they’re doing the right way. Rollins is channeling the emotion and the crowd is behind him. It’s good to have Ambrose say nothing and walk away. You have to keep the mind games before we ever see the one on one battle. Rollins and Ambrose will lock up eventually but for now, we wait for it to unfold.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Lashley what it would mean to win at Crown Jewel and be considered the best in the world. Rush says it’s about dominating the competition and adding another trophy. He says you name it he’s done it. He then questions Rollins even having a chance. Rush says when every last thing you do is money then there is a conclusion that at Crown Jewel Lashley will be the best in the world.

Match 5: Nia Jax ve Ember Moon
Moon lands a big kick and takes it to Nia early. Moon goes up top but Nia knocks her down. Moon lands a shot but Nia takes her down with a clothesline. Nia then steps on her. Nia lands an elbow drop but Moon kicks out of the cover. Nia lands another clothesline. Nia lifts Mon and wears her down with a body lock. Nia then throws Moon. Moon moves out of the way in the corner and Nia runs shoulder first into the ring post. On the outside Moon takes out Nia with a senton. Nia brings Moon into the ring but here comes Tamina. Nia hits Moon and then lands a leg drop. Nia goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Tamina stares down Nia and then leaves the ring.
Winner: Nia Jax
My Opinion:
Nia was dominating as always tonight. It didn’t take much work for her to put away Ember and I’m not surprised. Nia is ready for Ronda but until then I like the rivalry with her and Tamina. Both are powerhouses and they could have a huge clash in the ring.

Match 6: Kalisto & Lince Dorado w/ Gran Metalik vs The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder)
Wilder takes it to Kalisto and hits big chops to the chest. Kalisto fights back and takes out Wilder. Dorado flies and takes out Dawson on the outside. Wilder comes in and takes down Kalisto. Dawson gets the tag and hits a snap suplex on Kalisto. Dawson tries the cover but Kalisto kicks out. Dawson locks in a submission on Kalisto and wrenches on him. Kalisto tries a tag but is met with an uppercut. Kalisto takes down Wilder and hits Dawson with a kick. Dawson hits Kalisto with a huge shot but gets distracted. Kalisto hits the Salida del Sol and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Kalisto & Lince Dorado w/ Gran Metalik
My Opinion:
Good win for the Lucha house party tonight. They looked really good against a very dominant team in The Revival. Time will tell if they will stay on Raw but the tag division could use them. They bring something different to the table and it helps out 205 Live having them here so I’m all for it if they can keep it up.

Match 7: Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew Mcintyre vs Apollo Crews
As Raw returns, Ziggler wears down Crews but Crews gets to his feet and strikes Ziggler. Crews hits an enziguri and then hits a kick to the mid-section. Ziggler is thrown off the ropes and then meets a clothesline. Crews catches him again and goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Ziggler knocks Crews off the top rope and goes for the cover but Crews kicks out. Ziggler looks for a superkick but is caught. Crews also misses on a kick but is able to regroup and slam Ziggler. Crews hits the standing moonsault and goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Ziggler meets Crews up top but Crews blocks. Crews flies but Ziggler gets his knees up. Ziggler hits the superkick and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
My Opinion:
Good win for Ziggler tonight heading into this Friday, he didn’t look his best but I think he’ll be ready for Kurt Angle. Crews looked really good and has as of late. Crews has what it takes they just need to get him over more. As for Ziggler, he has big things ahead and if Angle slips up he’ll meet the same fate Crews did. Ziggler doesn’t always dominate but he also does find ways to get the job done.

In Ring Segment: DX & The Brother’s of Destruction
Taker says when the reaper calls no matter how hard you fight it’s your time to go. Kane says in the distance they can hear their name being whispered and as time went by it got louder and the whisper has now become a deafening cry. Taker says this Friday The Brother’s of Destruction with taking the beaten and battered souls of DX for the first time and the last time to firey gates of hell. He says it won’t be swift it will be a slow agonizing pain. He says it won’t just be an end of an era but the end of your error. Kane says that is this Friday, tonight Triple H and Shawn Michales you’re being summoned to this ring right now. Taker says so we can take your souls for eternity so you can never rest in peace. Out comes DX!
Kane goes up the ramp but out of nowhere HBK superkicks Taker in the ring. Taker then sits up. DX retreats.
My Opinion:
This was an awesome way to end the show. It’s ironic seeing these two teams in the ring and it’s these moments we have to cherish as they won’t happen forever. Both teams have at least one more good fight in them and I can’t wait to see the clash. The Brother’s of Destruction have the mind games but DX has the fight and they look set to do whatever it takes to win on Friday. As Cole said it’s four all-time greats in the ring at the same time, with that how can you ever go wrong?!

Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed tonight’s Raw, I thought there was a lot of good introduction to new storylines but also good hype for Crown Jewel. I loved how the show started with Braun and Brock, they both look ready to go and even though Brock stood tall I think face to face on Friday Braun will make sure he gets those hands. I liked what they did with Rollins and Ambrose as well, Rollins needs to feed off that emotion and let this rivalry just brew for a while before letting this two lock up. It was special seeing Trish and Lita wrestle on Raw tonight, I hope we see more of them in the ring. I also really liked what they did with Elias tonight, he’s getting over and with a run as a babyface, he can finally get to where he deserves to be on the roster. AOP was awesome tonight as well as they took out not one but two teams. With the Raw Tag Team Championships in question, this is AOP’s time to shine and capture the gold. Finally, it was iconic ending the night with DX and The Brother of Destruction. These are two legendary teams and I can’t wait to see them clash. Through a ton of mixed emotions and back and forth this Friday will be special. I can’t wait for this event as the first one earlier this year was awesome!
Overall Rating: 6/10