Raw Review 01/22/2018

Tonight is the 25th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw and the Go-Home Edition as this Sunday is The Royal Rumble. Raw will be live from two New York City locations. On this historic night Roman Reigns will defend his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz, can The Miz reclaim the gold? Plus Brock Lesnar and Kane are set to return but how will they respond to Braun Strowman after his brutal attack? Also, what will happen as John Cena and a list of SmackDown Live Superstars including AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and The new day invades Raw? As The Royal Rumble inches closer how will things look as the first ever women’s Royal Rumble Match comes together? Finally, what will happen as Raw is taken over by legends of the past including The Undertaker, DX, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin and many more!!!!

Raw is live tonight from the Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom and the Barclays Center in New York City, NY.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross at the Manhattan Centre and by Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Booker T at the Barclays Centre.

In Ring Segment: Shane McMahon & Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie welcomes everyone to the 25th Anniversary. Shane says he can’t think of a better place to have Raw’s 25th. He thanks every superstar that has stepped into the ring over the last 25 years. He then thanks, all of the production crew. Finally he thanks the WWE Universe for making Raw the success that it is. He then goes to highlights of Raw’s greatest moments. Stephanie tells everyone that they are just getting started and they have one person to thank for all of this and introduces The chairman of WWE, the creator of Monday Night Raw Vincent Kennedy McMahon!
Vince says 25 years that is truly amazing. Vince says he’s not the kind of man to pat himself on the back or smell the roses but tonight he’s gonna do that.
Vince then tells everyone to enjoy the show. Stephanie tells him to wait because they got him a gift from everyone around the world. She then presents him a commemorative plaque for 25 years of Monday Night Raw. Vince questions the plaque and says it feels a little cheap but then again they are in Brooklyn. Vince then plays to the crowd and says plaque os what each and every one of them as on their teeth. Vince says he has one person to thank in this entire world and that’s him cause he did it all by himself. Outcomes Stone Cold Steve Austin!
Vince tells Austin that a lot of things have changed since the last time they stepped into the ring. He tells Austin he looks great but time hasn’t been good to him. He then tells Austin he is a senior citizen by Shane’s in his prime. Shane and Austin then shake hands and Austin holds up his hand but Austin then hits him with the Stunner! Vince grabs two beers and tells him he had it coming and then says this is for old times sakes. Austin and Vine then share a hug. Austin then hits the Stunner on him. Austin then does a cheers with Shane but hits the Stunner on him once more.
My Opinion:
I love tonight already, that was awesome to see Stone Cold and The McMahons back in the ring again! Austin still looks great and I love that he didn’t even have to say anything. He Arrived, Raised Hell, and left. It was a perfect way to start off the show and really signifies some of the greatest memories of Raw!

Match 1: Asuka & Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James vs
Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose & Nia Jax & Alicia Fox
Nia starts off going after Asuka. The teams battle and have to be separated. Deville and Asuka start off the match. Deville misses and Asuka tees off with strikes. Asuka lands a huge kick and continues with strikes to Deville. Deville goes to the outside as Raw goes to break
As Raw returns, Asuka lands a big kick on Rose. Asuka takes out Fox and Deville on the apron. Asuka then lands a huge knee and tags Sasha. Sasha and Asuka land a suplex on Rose. Rose then tags in Nia. Sasha comes with big forearms and is able to take Nia to a knee. Sasha goes for a cover but Nia kicks out. Nia comes back and lays out Sasha on the mat. Nia goes for the cover but Sasha kicks out. Nia backs her in the corner and tags in Rose. Rose lands a big strikes and tags Deville. Deville lands a shot of her own and then tags in Alicia. Alicia lands a northern lights suplex but Sasha kicks out of the pin. Alicia then goes to the mat and locks in a chinlock on Sasha. Alicia tries another cover but Sasha kicks out again. Sasha tries to create separation but Alicia lands a huge kick. Alicia goes back to the chinlock but Sasha is able to fight out. Alicia grabs her hair and throws Sasha to the mat as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns the teams brawl on the outside. In the ring, Sasha locks in the Banks Statement on Alicia and she taps.
*** After the match Asuka takes out her team and throws them over the top rope.
Winners: Asuka & Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James
My Opinion:
This was a pretty good match to start the night. I can’t wait for this Sunday to see them collide. I like the point made tonight about Sasha, she has a great shot to win the rumble cause you can never count her out. I was impressed by Rose and Deville tonight, those two have transitioned so nicely into the main roster. Asuka made it clear she is out for herself and is a big threat to the others. She looks locked in but also it seems she’s finding a big enemy in Nia Jax. We’ll see who works together and who turns on each other. One thing is for certain one of these 8 Women all have a great chance to win this historic inaugural match.

Backstage Segment:
Angle tells the ref that tonight is about celebration, not chaos. He says Strowman, Kane, and Lesnar will be in the ring and he can have anything happen. In comes Coach. Coach tells Angle you don’t know who you’ll see around here. In comes Brooklyn Brawler and Harvey Wippleman. Teddy Long then joins them in the office. They are then joined by Brother Love. Next in is The Boogeyman! Boogeyman gives Coach a handful of worms.

In Ring Segment: The Undertaker
Taker says the carnage being on this sacred ground of evil 25 years ago. He tells that for 25 years he’s been digging holes and anyone who dared to step foot on the dark side got buried. He tells that for 25 years he has taken legends and ripped them off the pedestals and thrown them in the cold dark earth. He says Stone Cold answered to The Reaper, Mick Foley answered to The Reaper, even his own flesh and blood Kane answered to The Reaper. He says they all tried and they all failed. He tells that it is time for those who’ve fallen to Rest In Peace.
My Opinion:
So awesome to see Taker back in the ring. I thought he looked great and didn’t miss a step on the mic. Just seeing him made me feel a lot better with how things were left after WrestleMania 33. Taker looks like he could still go for one more. Either way, I think this was a good segment for him to finally bring everything full circle in his legendary career.

Backstage Segment:
The APA is playing cards with Rhyno and Heath Slater. They’re greeted by The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase and fat stack of cash and he joins the poker game.

In Ring Segment:
JoJo welcomes some of Raw’s greatest General Managers. First is John Laurinaitis. Next is William Regal. Eric Bischoff is next out. Finally the General Manager of Smackdown Daniel Bryan! Out comes Miz who has a stare off with Daniel Bryan.

Match 2: The Miz vs Roman Reigns (c) :
Intercontinental Championship Match
Miz and Reigns lock up o start and Reigns use his power to get the advantage early. Miz goes to the outside and takes a cheap shot on Reigns. Reigns hangs in there and catches Miz with a big right hand. Reigns then tries for the drive by but Dallas gets in the way. Reigns then takes out Dallas and catches Miz with a right hand. Axel gets involved and Miz takes advantage knocking Reigns off the apron. Reigns is then sent into the steel steps as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Reigns throws Miz into the corner. Reigns then hits a series a clotheslines. Reigns then lands a big kick. Reigns looks for the Superman Punch but Miz rolls to the outside. Reigns goes after him and hits the Drive By. Miz is able to sidestep Reigns and he goes into the ring post. Miz goes for the pin using the ropes as leverage but Reigns kicks out. Miz then his the It kicks but misses on the last one. Reigns lifts Miz and hits the sit down powerbomb but Miz kicks out at 2. The Miztourage then pulls Miz out of the ring.Reigns then hits a dropkick taking them out. Reigns continues the attack on axel and Dallas. Miz comes from behind and takes a cheap shot. Miz goes for The Skull Crushing Finale but Reigns is able to reverse. Reigns hits the Superman Punch and goes for the cover but Miz kicks out. Reigns looks for the spear but gets distracted by Dallas. Miz comes hard into the conrer and hits the clothesline. The ref then sends The Miztourage to the back. Miz argues with the ref and Reigns rolls him up but Miz kicks out. Reigns gets distracted again and Miz hits The Skull Crushing Finale. Miz goes for the pin and reigns kicks out at 2. Reigns fights off Miz with big elbow shots. Miz sidesteps Reigns and Reigns crashes into the exposed turnbuckle. Miz hits The Skull Crushing Finale and gets the 1 2 3. Your New Intercontinental Champion The Miz!
Winner: The Miz:
New Intercontinental Champion
My Opinion:
Another great match between Miz and Reigns. I love the rivalry these two have. They know each other very well and are so good in the ring together. I’m happy The Miz won, I think he really deserves it and I’m glad he’s considered a top guy now and is getting the respect he deserves. I like how they hide the exposed turnbuckle, that was unique. Overall it was a good match and I think Reigns will be on to different things that are beyond the IC Title quiet soon.

Backstage Segment:
MVP, The Usos, and Jeff Hardy join The APA in their poker game.

In Ring Segment: The Peep Show
(Guests: Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan)
Christian says it sounds like theres alot of Peeps in Brooklyn tonight. He says he knows about Tag Teams and and has seen it all. He then welcomes his guests Jason Jordan and Seth freakin Rollins!
Christian welcomes them to the show. Jordan interrupts Rollins and says it’s been amazing. Jordan says it’s an honor to be out here with Christian and to be in the presence of all the superstars here tonight. Jordan congratulates kurt Angle for assembling the talent that is here tonight. He tells the crowd that Angle doesn’t suck and tries to lead them in a round of applause. Out comes The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro).
Sheamus tells Jordan he needs to slow down. Sheamus says all the superstars and legends have been lining up to takes pictures with them and get their autographs. Sheamus says all those superstars and legends expect them to reclaim their Raw Tag Team Champions and thanked them in advance for doing so. Cesaro tells him that it’s not his dad that sucks it’s him. Jordan then goes after Cesaro and Sheamus. Rollins joins in and takes out Sheamus on the outside. Rollins then takes out Jordan back accident.
My Opinion:
I love this segment. It was so cool to see Christian and this was always one of my favorite talk shows on Raw. I like the turmoil they’re creating between Rollins and Jordan. Sheamus and Cesaro looked focused and I wouldn’t be surprised if they won back their titles. This was a good segment and it will be interesting to see if Rollins and Jordan can get on the same page before Sunday.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes Alexa Bliss. Chalry asks Alexa if she thinks she’ll still be champion come WrestleMania. Alexa asks what kind of question is that and says she is not just a champion she’s a Goddess. Charlotte Flair steps in and tells her she doesn’t have the szie. She tells Alexa to be the woman you have to beat the woman. She then brings in Ric Flair. Flair tells alexa that Chalortle will be the champion today, tomorrow and in fact until she decides to hang her robe up. WOOOOOOO!

Backstage Segment:
Natalya and Titus Worldwide now join in. Dana tells Heath she’s crunched the numbers and he’s lost a lot of money.

Match 3: Bray Wyatt vs “Woken” Matt Hardy
Wyatt tries for Sister Abigail but Hardy reverses. Hardy backs him in the corner and hammers on him. Hardy lands a kick and takes Wyatt to the mat with a Side Russian leg sweep. Wyatt comes back and collides with hardy taking him to the mat as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Hardy hits Wyatt with big forearms. Hardy then bangs Wyatt off the turnbuckles. Hardy hits a big clothesline and is able to sidestep Wyatt. Hardy laughs at Wyatt and lands the side effect but Wyatt kicks out of the cover. Hardy tries for the Twist of Fate but Wyatt backs him to the ropes. Wyatt hits Sister Abigail and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
My Opinion:
This was a good tease of what’s to come. I think tonight these tow tested the waters but I see this as the beginning to something so much greater. These two are playing mind games with each other and eventually it’s really going to implode. Hopefully we can see another Hardy Compound fight or something like that for the big blow out between the two.

In Ring Segment:
JoJo welcomes some of the greatest female superstars. First is The Bella Twins. Next out is Maryse. Following her is Kelly Kelly. After her is Lilian Garcia. Next is Jacqueline. After her is Torrie Wilson. Next is Michelle McCool. Then Terri Runnels. After is Maria Kanellis. Last is Trish Stratus.

Backstage Segment:
Elias comes up to Chris Jericho. Jericho tells Elias he wrote a song about him. Elias says he can’t use his guitar but Jericho has one of his own. Jericho then sings a song to Elias and tells him he just made the list and his stupid scarfs too!

In Ring Segment:
Elias says it took 25 years but WWE finally got it right and found him. He says this is the WWE that stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says the legends here tonight need to hear his song. Elias plays to the crowd and then points out Jimmy Fallon in the fornt row and tells him let me show you how it’s done. Elias then starts his song that mocks all the legends backstage. Here comes John Cena!
Cena tells Elias that he and Brooklyn both have balls and points out the beach balls in the crowd. Elias tells cena to shut his damn mouth. He tells Cena that no one wants to hear them and that they came to her him. He tells Cena that he ruined it. Cena tells Elias to do something about it. Elias tells him that’s not how it works. He says he won’t take orders from him or these Brooklyn scumbags. Elias then tries to take a cheap shot but cena takes him down with a series of shoulder tackles. Cena then hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and goes for the AA but Elias reverses and lands a low blow. Elias then grabs his guitar and breaks it over the back of Cena. Elias finishes with Drift Away on Cena.
My Opinion:
I really love that they allowed Elias to go over tonight like this. Elias has so much talent and I’m waiting for him to get a big opportunity. I love that cena is willing to help put guys like him over. Elias could be a big player going forward but they need to start using him better and giving him more time to sell his character. I think Elias needs to start having more matches and really get him more involved.

Backstage Segment:
The New Day has now joined The APA’s poker game. Slater gets a full house but Dana tells him he’s been cheating. JBL and Ron Simmons tell them to go to the ring to fight if that’s what they want to do. Simmons looks at Dibiase’s pill of chips and says DAMN!

Backstage Segment:
Mark Henry greets The Godfather. Godfather tells how Mark henry use to be known as Sexual Chocolate. Henry says it was different time but tells The Godfather it seems like he’s stayed the same. The Godfather tells Henry the girl he’s with is his wife and we all grow up.

Match 4: Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews w/ Dana Brooke)
vs Rhyno & Heath Slater.
Rhyno hits Titus with huge strikes. Titus gets him in the corner lands big chops of his own. Crews gets the tag and lands a big shot on Rhyno. Rhino fights back and tags in Slater. Slater comes at crews with a big axe handle. Crews stays the course and hits a big dropkick. Crews then lands a huge vertical suplex on Slater as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns the two teams brawl and the ref calls for the bell. Out comes The Dudley Boyz! Rhyno and Titus Worldwide then throw Slater into the ring. Team 3D then hits their pattenant headbutt to the groin. Bubba then calls for the tables! They then hit the 3D sending Slater through the table.
Winners: No Contest:
Both teams were DQ’d
My Opinion:
This was a fun segment. Titus and Apollo have been on a roll as of late and they still looked great tonight. I think they could do something here if they keep getting matches and keep putting on good performances. I love The Dudley Boyz coming out. It was a good surprise and they’re a team that all the teams today should look up to.

Backstage Segment:
Charly welcomes AJ Styles. Styles cuts off Charly and tells her he’s got someone special to do this interview with him and introduces Mean Gene Okerlund. Mean Gene tells him he’s got his hands full this Sunday. AJ says let me tell you something Mean Gene. He tells that Kami thinks they will walk into the rumble and walk out the first ever co-champions. He says he has to hit them hard and fats and if he does the last thing ringing in their ears will be and still the WWE Champion AJ Styles.

In Ring Segment: DX
Shawn Michaels tells one of his favorite stories but Triple H tells him he can’t tell that story. Michaels tries another but Triple H tells him the same thing. Michaels says he’s bothered he use to be the boss but now Triple H is the boss of everything. Michaels tells the crowd they all can watch it if they subscribe to the WWE Network. Triple H tells the crowd that 25 years ago in this building this is where it started. He tells the crowd we are here because of you. Triple H tells how he and Michaels did anything they wanted and said anything they wanted. He tells that DX has always been at the front of this. Triple H says they came here because the Manhattan Center for Raw is home. He tells that DX will be at the forefront of the next 25 years. He then asks Are You Ready, no he said Are you Ready. He then tells they didn’t come alone. Out comes The New Age Outlaws. Road Dogg introduces himself and Billy Gunn. Road Dogg says they didn’t come alone and outcomes X-Pac. X-Pac says they can’t a 25th Raw celebration without this guy. Here comes Razor Ramon as Raw goes to break!
As raw returns Razor tells that everybody knows that you can’t have a part on Raw without The Bad Guy. he says he’s been watching the show and we can all agree this Raw 25 is just Too Sweet. Out comes Balor Club!
Balor Club and DX all through up the Too Sweet but here comes The Revival.
My Opinion:
What an awesome segment. If you think about Raw DX is one of the first things that comes to mind. They’re such a legendary group and changed the wrestling world. It awesome to finally see The Club meet DX who obviously paved the road for them to do what they do. Great moment in wrestling right there.

Match 5: The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) vs
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
The revival attack them from behind to start off the match. Wilder takes it to Anderson and backs him in the corner. Dawson gets the tag and hits a big back elbow on Anderson. Dawson hits a snap leg drop on Anderson. Wilder gets the tag and they double team Anderson. Wilder goes to the mat for a side headlock. Anderson side steps him and sends Wilder into the turnbuckle. Anderson lands a leg lariat and tags Gallows. Gallows lays out Wilder and Dawson. Anderson gets the tag and the two hit The Shatter Machine on Wilder for the win.
*** After the match DX and Razor Ramon and Balor Club take out The Revival.
Winners: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
My Opinion:
This was quick but the point was great, Gallows and Anderson got the win with DX and Razor Ramon watching. I love them all taking out The Revival at the end. Plus it was great that they gave The Revival the spot to be in this match and segment. It was fun, it was entertaining and I love all the memories DX, Razor Ramon and Balor Club have given the wrestling world.

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman & Kane & Brock Lesnar
Angle tells how the Universal Championship will be defended in a triple threat match. Angle then first introduces Braun Strowman. Next out is Kane. Finally Paul Heyman introduces The Beast Brock Lesnar.
Strowman takes out Kane but is then taken out by Lesnar. Lesnar then takes out Kane. Strowman comes back in and send Lesnar out of the ring. Strowman then sends Lesnar into the barricade. Strowman then hits a running powerslam on Lesnar and drives him through the announcer’s table.
My Opinion:
Not a bad way to end Raw. To me, this signifies that Braun Strowman is becoming the guy. He ends the night on top and for that I’m happy. This Sunday these three men will collide and only one can walk away. It’s gonna be chaos but at the end, the true monster will arise. I’m very excited and can’t wait to see the destruction that takes place at the rumble.

Final Thoughts:
What an amazing night! We saw former superstars and so many legends. We got to relive history and even took it back all the way to the Manhattan Center. I loved so many things tonight, but one thing I loved was seeing Undertaker. He looked great and like I said it was awesome to see him bring everything full circle. The show tonight started with a bang and ended with one. It was amazing to see The Club finally in the same ring as DX as well. I was happy seeing Miz win the title tonight, he fought hard and it’s great to see him as a top guy. The ending tonight was good, Braun Strowman is gonna lead this company and tonight that showed. I can’t wait for Sunday and most of all I can’t wait for the fallout next Monday Night!!!
Overall Rating: 10/10