Raw Review 01/30/2017

The Road to Wrestlemania has begun! Laredo, Texas plays host to Monday Night Raw as we will see the fallout from the Royal Rumble. Last night we saw Kevin Owens defeat Roman Reigns and retain the WWE Universal Championship. Owens didn’t do it alone as the Monster Among Men Braun Strowman gets the assist to the victory after beating down Reigns. This came right as it seemed Roman all but had the title won. Plus tonight Stephanie Mcmahon will address Seth Rollins face to face after Seth’s controversial actions over the weekend at NXT Takeover. What will Steph have to say to Seth? Finally we saw the crowning of Neville as he officially now is The King of the Cruiserweights after defeating Rich Swann for the Cruiserweight Championship. What will be next for Neville as he has now reached the top of the mountain? The girlhood dream of Bayley did not come true as she lost cleanly to Charlotte. Will there be a new #1 contender or will Bayley secure another chance at the title? Brock Lesnar has to be heated after being embarrassed by Goldberg again last night. Will we see any fallout from The beast? Last but not least The Club Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows pulled off a win over Sheamus and Cesaro and are now the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions. The win didn’t come without controversy though as expected. The question will be if Sheamus and Cesaro stick together as a team and go back for their titles or if The Good Brothers walk away from there controversial win unscaved?

Raw is live tonight from the Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton.

In Ring Segment: Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho
Owens starts by saying he is the Universal Campion and that Jericho is the United States Champion. Owens talks about how almost everyone thought he had no chance last night and he proved them wrong. Owens states that he is most proud of proving Mick Foley wrong. Owens says he beat Reigns because he is the best, he is the guy, he is the one. Owens then thanks Chris Jericho for helping him and says he made it through because of him. He then goes to tell how Jericho broke history last night in the Rumble. Jericho states 4 hours 56 minutes and 12 seconds he has spent in the Rumble. Jericho then tells the crowd to # on twitter. He claims he didn’t win the match due to hanging in the shark cage. Out comes Braun Strowman.
Owens says he was just about to thank him. Braun says he can’t stand Reigns and that he wants the title shot that Owens promised him. Owens says that Braun hasn’t earned a title opportunity. Braun says he has the proof and the footage. Owens says that must be photoshopped. Braun says he is getting the shot tonight or he will break Owens in half right now. Out comes Foley.
Foley says he did not appreciate what Braun did. Foley states that Owens did in fact promise him a title opportunity. Owens says that he can not do it tonight after what he went through last night. Foley says he appreciates what he did and that it might be a round trip when Owens faces Braun for the title tonight.
My Opinion:
I loved Owens passion out there tonight. He really put forth how he felt. It is interesting having him defend against braun but I don’t see him losing. I like Braun but I feel they really hurt him last night having him eliminated so early. I don’t think it is Braun’s time just yet.

Match 1: Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn
Jericho gets a chin lock on Zayn. Zayn reverses and Jericho works his wrist. Zayn is able to turn it around and get a wrist lock of his own. He takes down Jericho with a few deep arm drags. Jericho backs him into the corner and lands a big chop. Zayn fights back with some of his own. Jericho goes to the outside. Zayn takes him out with a dropkick through the bottom rope. Jericho uses the ref as a shield to land a springboard dropkick. Jericho misses the baseball slide and Zayn follows up with a clothesline. Zayn hits a moonsault off the barricade as we head to break.
As we return Jericho has Zayn in a chinlock. Zayn fights out but is hit with an enziguri. Jericho backs him into the corner and lands vicious strikes to Zayn. Zayn is able to counter on Jericho and lands rights of his own. Jericho goes to the top with Zayn and hits a hurricanrana. Zayn tries to send Jericho over the ropes but Jericho lands on the apron. He goes to the top but is caught by Zayn. Zayn lands the Blue Thunder Bomb but it is not enough to put away Jericho. Zayn looks for the Helluva kick but Jericho moves out of the way. Jericho runs back into the ring and catches Zayn. He looks for the walls but Zayn counters. He hits zayn hits the ddt and looks again for the Helluva kick. Jericho gets out of the way and gets Zayn in the Walls. Zayn is able to get to the ropes to force the break. Zayn hits the exploder suplex into the corner. Zayn is then able to hit the helluva kick and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Sami Zayn
My Opinion:
A competitive match between these two. I think guys like Zayn are really helping jericho. It seems he has new juice in him and is hitting moves we haven’t seen him use in awhile. Zayn looks great and I think he could be the U.S. Champ in the near future. Zayn is tough and continues to fight.

Backstage Segment:
Sheamus tells Cesaro that he can’t depend on him. Sheamus says how cesaro tried to swing him. Cesaro says he tried to eliminate him. Bayley intervenes and tells them to get on the same page for their match tonight. Charlotte and The Club tell them they stumbled upon the Royal Rumble loser support group. Charlotte says the champs will beat the chumps and calls them failures.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie is on the phone and is greeted by Owens. Owens tells her how he is trying to live up to the expectations but he is hurt. Steph says she had no idea Mick was going to do that and that after she deals with Rollins she will talk to Mick about getting the match canceled.

Match 2: Tony Nese vs Mustafa Ali
Mustafa gets Nese on the ground. Nese use a test of strength to fight out but Ali is quick and follows up with a head scissors. Nese asks for a clean break and attacks Ali. Nese goes for the cover off the snap mare but it is not enough. He sends Ali into the corner. He lands a huge clothesline on Ali and gets another near fall. Ali goes off the apron into the ring and is able to hit a clothesline. Ali rolls in the ring and hits a neck breaker but gets a near fall. Ali hits a big spin kick and looks to go up top. He looks for the inverted 450 but Nese stops him twice. Nese hits a huge running knee in the corner and is able to pick up the win.
*** Austin Aries asks Nese about his critics. Nese says the primer athlete doesn’t have to answer questions of his critics and walks away.
Winner: Tony Nese
My Opinion:
I really enjoy Nese he is hard hitting and exciting to watch. I like that even in a quick match he gets everything in. Ali looks good from what I have seen. I think Ali is impressive and has a lot to show but needs the time to show it all. Nese we have seen for awhile and we know what he can do but Ali needs more time to shine and show people what he is about. Truthfully he is going to need more matches on Raw because more people will see his work here than on 205 Live.

In Ring Segment: Stephanie Mcmahon & Seth Rollins
Rollins says he is here tonight and live. Rollins says that Steph isn’t going to get what she wants and to get out here. Out comes Stephanie.
Stephanie says she is out here to disappoint him on multiple levels. Seth says like you do to your husband every night. She states that Triple H is not here tonight. Seth says that he doesn’t care about her and cares about her coward of a husband. Stephanie says that Triple H is afraid that he will destroy Seth and bring out the dark side in him. Seth calls her delusional. Steph calls out Seth for being a traitor and not holding championship gold and that he should beg for forgiveness. Seth questions her. He then tells her that he is sorry for exposing her husband and that his entire legacy is about to go up in smoke. He states that he went to NXT and that Triple H had his security do his dirty work. He claims the guy he saw at NXT was a scared dude. Seth says he is the greatest threat to his legacy. Steph proclaims she looks at Rollins with nothing but disgust. Steph says if Rollins tries to play the game he will be the architect of his own demise. Rollins then threatens to show up to meetings and to her house. Rollins says it doesn’t end until he slays the king. Steph says she lied and Triple H is on the way to the arena and he is coming for Rollins.
My Opinion:
I loved that segment. There was so much passion from both of them. I loved Seth getting personal and it brings something we have been missing. I love Steph saying Triple H is on his way because it keeps you on the edge of your seat and hopeful we will see the confrontation we have been waiting for. Possibly the best rivalry we have seen in some time when it does go down. This is what Raw needs right now because it is fresh and not something we have seen unlike everything else.

Match 3: Charlotte & The Club (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) vs Bayley & Cesaro & Sheamus
Bayley and Charlotte start but Charlotte quickly tags in Anderson. Cesaro comes in and looks to take down Anderson. Anderson breaks away and tags in Gallows. Cesaro hits an uppercut. Charlotte sets a distraction and gallows hits a kick sending Cesaro to the floor as we go to break.
As we return Anderson hits a body slam on cesaro. He locks in a chin lock but Cesaro fights out. He hits a few uppercuts before being taken down by a spinebuster. Sheamus gets the tag and so does Gallows. He lands a diving clothesline off the top rope but it is not enough to put Gallows away. Sheamus ands the 10 beats of Bodren but is distracted by Charlotte. Cesaro gets the tag and he and Sheamus double team Gallows. Anderson breaks it up but Sheamus takes him out. Cesaro looks for the swing but gallows powers out. Charlotte gets the tag. Cesaro launches himself out of the ring to take out the club. Charlotte looks for the figure 8 but Bayley fights out and hits the bayley to belly to get the win for her team.
Winners: Bayley & Cesaro & Sheamus
My Opinion:
A pretty good match. It was unique and different from what we have seen. Sheamus and cesaro seem to be on the same page and bayley too looked great. I don’t think The Club and Charlotte looked that great. I believe Bayley will get the title in the near future and she proved again tonight that she can do it. I liked the outcome because those three are not losers and it helps their credibility by winning and showing that they can do it.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie goes off on Mick for making the championship match tonight. Mick asks her to respect him and let him do his job. Mick asks Steph to not treat him like he is stupid. Stephanie says that Triple H will be here tonight. Steph doesn’t say anything and Mick walks away.

In Ring Segment: Neville
Neville says how last night everyone witnessed the coronation of the king. He claims that 205 Live belongs to him. He states that he proved everyone wrong last night and that no one ever believed in him. He says he is the undisputed King of the Cruiserweights and out comes Rich swann.
Swann says he didn’t come for a fight. Swann says he is going to wait on his opportunity. Neville asks why he is here. Swann says no one is not out here to get you. Swann says he has to admit Neville is one of the best every time he steps in the ring. He extends the handshake but Neville denies. Neville says that you do not offer a hand to the king, you bend the knee and bow. Swann turns his back and Neville tries to go at him. Swann fights but neville gains the upperhand with kicks. Swann fights back with rights and a massive kick that sends neville out of the ring. Swann dives on him and lands more shots and Neville retreats.
My Opinion:
Neville is great in the ring and him as a heel is great but the promos are not very good. It seems he is trying way to hard to make people hate him and he is getting no reaction. He looks dumb out there. Swann is great. He saved this segment and showed his fire. I think neville is awesome in the ring but not meant for this promo stuff. Swann always has to save it.

Backstage segment:
Bayley approaches Sasha and asks what she is doing. Sasha says she is getting ready for her match. Bayley says it is better to wait until she is healed and that she has nothing to prove. Sasha says she has everything to prove and she is not okay with coming up short.

Backstage Segment:
Owens asks Jericho what Foley said. Jericho says the match is happening. Owens says he is sick of Foley. Owens says they need to do it together. Jericho says technically it is a one on one match. Jericho states that Owens wasn’t out there for his match. Owens says he can’t do it by himself. Jericho says he has Owens back.

Match 4: Kevin Owens (c) vs Braun Strowman:
WWE Universal Championship Match
*** Before the match Strowman attacks Jericho and sends him through the announcer’s table.
As the bell rings Owens goes to the outside. Braun pushes Owens down but Owens sends Braun ot the floor with a dropkick. Braun quick to his feet and takes it to Owens in the ring. Braun crashes into Owens in the corner with a splash. He hits Owens in the corner again and Owens rolls out of the ring. Braun goes to the outside and blasts Owens into the barricade. Braun brings Owens back into the ring and Owens tries to throw rights but Braun takes him down with a blow to the chest. Braun tries to run Owens into the osit but ends up running into it himself as Owens moves. Owens hits the cannon ball on the outside and heads back to the ring. Braun gets into the rings and Owens hits braun. He hits a senton and then a frog splash but only gets a two count. Owens goes to the top but braun grabs him and hits a running power slam. Out comes Reigns.
Reigns gets in the ring and hits a superman punch to Braun. He sends Braun to the floor and goes out after him. Reigns hits a spear off the steps. He then gets in the ring and spears Owens as well.
Winner: Braun Strowman via DQ: Owens is still Champion
My Opinion:
First I loved the opening part. It made so much sense for Braun to go after Jericho. I loved that. The match itself was very good. Owens and Strowman battled and it seems it could be a great match given the time to be. I liked Roman comeing out. He is proving it is one versus all and it is important to keep him at the top so he can have a big match at Wrestlemania and have it mean something. I love what Roman has been doing and I think he deserves the title soon. He is always ready to go and never shows injuries. He is unstoppable whether people like him or not.

Backstage segment:
Brock Lesnar shows up to the arena.

In Ring Segment: Brock Lesnar
Heyman says he is the advocate for the disgraced Beast. The crowd starts chanting Goldberg. Heyman thanks them for their irrelevant opinion and says his opinion is the one that matters. Heyman says that every legend has that one person who has their number. He mentions Hogan beating Andre, and then mentions Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, and then The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar. Heyman then goes on to mention people who Brock has the number of. Heyman says it has come to the point that every time he says Brock Lesnar someone says Goldberg. Heyman says he loathes yeah but. Heyman says the yeah but must be eliminated. Heyman says Lesnar challenges Goldberg one more time at Wrestlemania. Heyman says the odds are in Goldberg’s favor but Lesnar offers Goldberg yeah but.
My Opinion:
I have always loved that Lesnar can just stand there and intimidate. He doesn’t have to say a word. Heyman was awesome tonight. He too like many others showed much passion in what they were saying. It is a huge challenge. We expected it but none the less it will be awesome. I hope Brock gets the victory. He is the conquerer and I feel his legacy is being tarnished. He is The Beast and he needs to show it again.

Match 5: Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax
Sasha hits a dropkick and tries to take it to nia. Nia goes to the outside and Sasha continues to throw kicks. Nia gets Sasha in a full nelson and sends her bad knee into the post twice. Sasha tries to fight off Nia but Nia grabs her and continues at the injured knee. She pulls on Sasha’s knee and gets her in a scorpion. The ref calls for the bells.
*** Nia continues to take it to Sasha. Out comes Bayley. Nia gets off of Sasha and finally leaves.
Winner: Nia Jax
My Opinion:
Sasha isn’t looking to good these days. She went from the top to the middle very fast. Nia looked dominate and as I have always said she is much better with action than with talking. It looks like nia has Sasha’s number but the storyline her reminds me of Zayn and Strowman. I really would like a new twist to this storyline and not have it go the same way.

Backstage Segment:
Sasha is being helped to the trainers room by a trainer and Bayley.

Match 6: Enzo & Big Cass vs Jinder Mahal & Rusev: Tornado Tag Match
All four men go at it. Rusev and Cass go at it while Enzo and Mahal go at it. Cass sends Rusev out of the ring. Enzo and Mahal go out of the ring as well. Cass sends Rusev off of the barricade. Mahal goes after Cass but Enzo intervenes. Rusev gets to his feet as we head to break.
We return and Enzo has been taken out or the moment. Cass fights them off and Enzo gets to his feet and takes out Mahal and Rusev. Enzo goes for a suicide dive but is caught. Cass goes to the outside to take on both men. Mahal and Rusev take down Cass and send him off the ring post. They then drive him into the barricade and then do it again. The two then bring Enzo into the ring. Mahal lands a shot and Rusev screams at Enzo. Mahal goes to the outside and takes it to Cass. Rusev slams Enzo and Mahal comes back into help. Rusev rakes at the eyes of Enzo. Mahal goes to get Cass but Cass fights back. Cass goes into the ring and tries to fight off both men. He lands a splash on Rusev and sends Mahal over the top rope. He hits a big slam on Rusev and then an Empire Elbow. Mahal comes in to save the match. They double team cass. Enzo comes to and takes out Mahal by sending him into the steps. Cass hits a big boot on Rusev and the two hit the Ba Da Boom Shakalaka on Rusev for the win.
Winners: Enzo & Big Cass
My Opinion:
This was a very different match than we have seen in quite sometime. I loved Enzo and Cass tonight. Cass looked awesome and the two teams really took it to each other. Mahal has improved so much and he and Rusev do make a good team. I wish these two teams could get some better segments and things to do but they work well together and are proving a lot

Backstage Segment:
Triple H has arrived at the arena. I’m appreciating all these short backstage segments to keep us engaged and intrigued.

In Ring Segment: Triple H & Seth Rollins
Triple H talks about how he made Rollins a star. He says how he made him an offer to be the best. He says that by his side Rollins was the man and the face of the WWE. Triple H says by his side he would get everything out of this business and more. He states that Rollins couldn’t hold up his end of the bargain. He claims that Rollins cracked under the pressure and got injured. He states that Rollins thought he was going to come back but the world turned and Rollins was a failure when he wasn’t by his side. He says that Rollins took no responsibility for that failure. Triple H says he doesn’t owe Rollins an apology. Triple H tells that it is hard for him to not come to the ring when Rollins calls him out. Triple H states that he is trying so hard not to be the guy who ends careers and crushes dreams and injures people. He states he is trying to be something more. He tells he tries to be the creator. He states that in NXT he is trying to create the next Rollins. He says he is done trying. Triple H says to Rollins that he is standing right here right now. He calls out seth. Out comes Rollins.
Rollins walks to the ring and is attacked by Samoa Joe! Joe throws Rollins into the barricade and Triple H stares down at Rollins. Triple H walks away. Joe lands a senton and another and another. He gets Rollins in the Coquina Clutch.
My Opinion:
Wow… That’s a way to end Raw! They got it right. If they wanted fans talking and going crazy this is how to do it. Samoa joe coming to Raw is huge. The show needs this. I still want Rollins and Triple H and that will happen hopefully but man the landscape has changed now. Totally unexpected and Raw really did well this week. It was so cool seeing The Game back and the emotion in that ending segment was something special.

Final Thoughts:
I really did like this Raw. don’t get me wrong there were a lot of stale things tonight but overall it was well put together. I thought it was exciting and fast paced and kept you guessing for the most part. The one thing I loved most was how much passion everyone had in what they were saying. There were twists and turns and surprises. We got to see The beast and the debut of Samoa Joe! This was a Raw to remember. The matches were pretty good for the most part but what really got me where all the in ring segments. There was so much high drama and I felt like i was watching a Raw of old. I’m not saying this is the best Raw but it is one of the best ones we have seen in awhile. It was unique. It wasn’t about announcing people weeks in advance it was all elment of surprise. Isn’t that what we want? I personally am tired of spoilers and knowing everything beforehand. I loved sitting here and being surprised by a lot of things. I say if people are wrestling fans they will watch Raw and we deserve surprises and not to have them ruined just to get more viewers for big names coming. Yes it is cool to get excited all week but wrestling to me is about magic and moments like Samoa Joe coming out or Lesnar arriving unexpected or hearing that Triple H is on his way. To me this was special it was magic and it is definitely Wrestlemania Season.
Overall Rating: 7.8/10