Raw Review 02/27/2017

This Sunday we will witness the last pay per view before WrestleMania. Tonight Green Bay plays host to the Fast Lane go home edition of Monday Night Raw. We will see the return of Goldberg as he gears up for his WWE Universal Championship match against Kevin Owens. Plus after much anticipation we will see an injury update on Seth Rollins and hear from Seth himself. Mr One Versus All Roman Reigns will continue his quest tonight as he prepares for Braun Strowman this Sunday. Is Roman ready for battle or is he in a losing effort? Finally before The Queen of pay per views Charlotte gets her rematch for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship what will she have in store for the new champion Bayley.

Raw is live tonight from the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI,

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

In Ring Segment: Goldberg
Goldberg thanks the crowd for the warm welcome. He then tells of Owens last week coming out and talking and talking and talking. Goldberg says he is in a good mood because he is 6 days out. He promises that at Fast Lane Spear, Jackhammer, 1 2 3, Goldberg becomes Universal Champion and takes it to WrestleMania to face Brock Lesnar. He promises he will deliver and says he will see Owens Sunday. Out comes Owens.
Owens says he is in a good mood and happy to see him because last week Goldberg was missing. Owens says he promised himself that he would make everyone see what Kevin Owens is all about. He tells how he beat Cena on his first night. He goes on to list the men he has beaten. Owens tells Goldberg that no matter how loud the chant he is next. He says Goldberg is next in the evolution of Kevin Owens as Universal Champion. Goldberg says Owens pissed him off and asks why wait until Sunday. Owens says he assumes Goldberg is saying he wants to fight. Owens says let’s do a Green Bay street fight and then says Green Bay doesn’t deserve to see him fight. He then says he can not wait to hear the silence and the 1 2 3. He then tells Goldberg to trust him at Fast Lane the Goldberg chant dies.
My Opinion:
It could have been better. It was the same back and forth thing we have always seen. I was hoping for something that really made us excited. The rivalry between these two is so fresh that they could have done anything but instead chose to play it safe. I don’t think it got Raw off to the electric start like it needs. Obviously Goldberg gets a big pop but Owens isn’t really the right one to feud with him.

Match 1: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs Rusev & Jinder Mahal
Mahak starts with a waist lock on Woods. He hits Woods but Woods comes back and sends him flying with a hurricanrana. Big E gets the tag and lands a shoulder to the mid section. Xavier follows up with the Honor Roll. Xavier takes Rusev out on the outside. Big E then lands a splash on the apron as Raw goes to break.
Rusev has a front facelock on Woods as Raw returns. Woods tries to fight out of it but Rusev keeps Woods away from Big E. He drives his knees into Woods and hits a fallaway slam. Mahal gets the tag and lands a huge knee to Woods. He goes for the cover but Woods kicks out. Mahal drops Woods with a high elbow and Rusev gets the tag. Rusev hits a headbutt on Woods. Woods tries to fight back with right hands to the mid section. Rusev fights back and backs Woods into the corner. He unloads with shoulders to the gut of Woods. He throws Woods into the corner but Woods fights back. He is able to get out of the corner but Rusev gets back on the upper hand. He holds Woods but Woods escapes and hits an enziguri. Big E and Mahal get the tags. Big E hits three belly to bellies and finishes with a big splash. Rusev gets knocked off the apron as Big E looks for the big ending. Mahal escapes but Woods makes the tag. Woods goes for the cover but Rusev breaks it up. Mahal gets distracted by an argument on the outside and Woods rolls up Mahal for the win.
Winners: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods)
My Opinion:
An average match between the two teams. There really is no point to this other than it is fun for the younger audience. This whole thing is kinda joke and for me it gets worse every week thinking off the tag teams that use to be and where we are today. It’s not that these guys aren’t great but both teams are being used so wrong and it makes it very boring to watch at times.

Backstage Segment:
Enzo tells Cass that when they become champs he is changing their profile picture. Enzo says he will never take it off. Cass stops him and says don’t forget The Club has won titles all over and we haven’t. He says that will change though but he needs to focus on his match now.

Backstage Segment:
Cesaro and Sheamus are approached by Samoa Joe. Joe says look at this the same Cesaro. Joe asks if he is made because he is searching for the brass ring and he actually has it. Cesaro says he only sees him holding Triple h’s jock strap. Joe says that’s clever but we have seen how far that has gotten you.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie calls Mick in to apologize. Mick is taken back by this. Steph talks up Mick and says she wants the mick he knows. Steph says how Triple H ended his career. She says her husband has gotten greater and greater and he falls and falls. Steph says she doesn’t believe Mick even lives up to his own expectations. Steph says she apologizes to him for putting him in this position that the man who can stand up to anyone or anything can’t even stand on his own.

Match 2: Akira Tozawa vs Noam Dar
The two lock up and Tozawa backs him in the corner. Tozawa lands a huge knee to the face and lands a standing senton. Tozawa lands multiple chops to Dar and finishes with a big right. Dar is able to send Tozawa into the corner but Tozawa lands and elbow. He gets distracted by Alicia and Dar capitalizes. Dar works Tozawa’s leg and arm. Tozawa fights out and lands a hurricanrana. He sends Dar to the outside with a kick and takes Dar out with a suicide dive. Tozawa goes to the top nut Dar moves out of the way of the move. Tozawa rolls and regains control. He hits a snap German suplex and picks up the win.
*** After the match Kendrick attacks Tozawa from behind. He kicks Tozawa in the face to take him out. He grabs a mic and tells Tozawa that even if you win a match you need eyes in the back of your head. Even when it is over it’s not over.
Winner: Akira Tozawa
My Opinion:
Tozawa looked good tonight. He dominated most of the match. The match itself was pointless and the crowd was dead. It is to bad for these guys because they really are great wrestlers. It is also sad to see how far Kendrick has fallen after having so much hype before.

Backstage Segment:
Joe asks Mick what is wrong. Mick says he is not having a nice day but says time changes men. He tells Joe that he is Triple H’s puppet. Joe says no one tells him what to do. Mick says as long as he is GM he will tell him what to do. He tells Joe he has a match with Cesaro tonight.

In Ring Segment: Charlotte & Dana Brooke
Charlotte says she still can’t get over what happened. She says that she thought Bayley would hand back the title. She says that Bayley is selfish egocentric and win at any cost person. Charlotte informs everyone that Bayley is playing everyone. Charlotte says Bayley is average and just wanted the title at any cost. Charlotte says Bayley is a one hit wonder and lists off one hit wonders. Charlotte says she wasn’t born to be a one hit wonder. Bayley’s music hits.
Charlotte says there is the cheater. Bayley says the name your are looking for is Bayley the champion. Bayley says she has defeated Charlotte three times. Bayley says she knows she made the right decision keeping the title. Bayley says her journey doesn’t end here and you keep reaching for your dreams. Bayley then points to the WrestleMania sign. Charlotte says she is so tired of hearing about Bayley’s dreams. Charlotte says she will regain the title at Fast Lane. Out comes Sasha Banks.
Sasha asks Charlotte if she wants everyone to have daddy issues. She tells Charlotte that Bayley is everything she wants to be and everything the fans want. Charlotte says she is impressed Sasha is not out of breath because she is always taking Bayley’s spotlight. Sasha says she is tired of looking at Charlotte’s stupid face. Sasha says why are we still talking don’t we have a match. Charlotte says we do have a match but Dana isn’t my partener this women is. Out comes Nia Jax.
My Opinion:
Not a bad segment but they are all too nice. I liked when Sasha came out because it sparked the rage a little bit. It is just hard when it is the same girls every single week and no variety. At least SmackDown has many storylines with the Women.

Match 3: Charlotte & Nia Jax vs Bayley & Sasha Banks
Nia and Sasha start off. Nia throws her to the ground and laughs. Sasha gets her in a wrist lock but again Nia throws her down. Sasha catches Nia but Nia throws her in the corner again and again. Bayley gets the tag and goes after Nia but Nia slams her down. Nia steps on bayley’s foot and mocks her. Bayley fights back and looks for a suplex but Nia picks her up instead. Bayley escapes and is able to hammer on Nia in the corner. Sasha makes the tag. Nia makes quick work and Bayley comes back. Charlotte gets the tag and quickly tries to pin Bayley but Bayley kicks out. Sash gets the tag and comes in hot. She hits double knees on Sasha but Charlotte gets the upper hand again. Charlotte mocks Bayley and Sasha is able to land an enziguri. Sash stretches Charlotte’s shoulders and pushes her in the corner. Bayley gets the tag and throws Charlotte out of the ring. Bayley lands a Bayley to belly on the outside as Raw goes to break.
As we return Sasha tries to fight off Nia. Nia powers Sasha and lands a headbutt. Sasha tries to land an armdrag and Nia instead lands a shoulder to the gut. Nia lands a couple elbows but can’t get the win on the pin attempt. Charlotte gets the tag and drives her knees into Sasha. She chokes Sahs with her knees and sends Sasha into the corner. Nia gets the tag and lands a splash on Sasha in the corner. Charlotte gets the tag and is taken out by Sasha. Sasha is able to get the tag and Bayley comes in in. she lays out Charlotte and lands a huge suplex. Charlotte sends Bayley to apron and drops her with a forearm. Bayley drops Charlotte but Nia gets the tag. Bayley gets Nia in a chinlock but is dropped. Nia blast through Bayley and Sasha. Sasha gets back up and tries to take uout Nia but Nia throws Sasha on Bayley. She lands a leg drop on Bayley and pick up the win.
Winners: Nia Jax & Charlotte
My Opinion:
The match felt like it dragged on and on. It was the normal stuff as always. Nia dominates and then there is a little fight and I just wasn’t entertained. I got so use to what Sasha and Charlotte use to do that now anything less is disappointing. Hopefully things will heat up again.

Backstage Segment:
Braun says he wants a contract for his match at Fast Lane. Mick says he can’t see Roman running away. Mick says if it makes him feel better he can sign a contract. He says he wants Roman’s name on a contract or else.

Match 4: Big Cass vs Luke Gallows
Gallows hits Cass with a boot. Cass uses his power and is able to lands rights to Gallows. Gallows reverse and lands rights of his own. He takes down Cass with a shoulder tackle. Cass grabs Gallows by the throat but Gallows catches him with a kick. Cass fight back and hits Gallows with punches to the gut. Cass runs threw him and lands a fallaway slam. He follows up with a big splash. Enzo takes out Anderson on the outside. Cass is able to hit the empire elbow and follow up with a big boot for the win.
Winner: Big Cass
My Opinion:
Cass looked awesome. He is really keeping the team afloat. I see the tag division as a joke so why not have Enzo and Cass win the titles. The Club hasn’t been The Club for awhile now and so why not help keep Enzo and Cass hot by making them champs. I think Cass and Enzo deserve it and they did a good job tonight reminding what they can do in terms of teamwork. Enzo gets the crowd going and Cass picks up the wins.

Match 5: Titus O’Neil vs Sheamus
As Sheamus tries to enter Titus hits him with a boot sending him to the outside. He beats down Sheamus and rolls him in the ring.
The bell rings and Titus attacks Sheamus right away. Sheamus hits a Brogue kick out of nowhere for the win.
Winner: Sheamus
My Opinion:
I liked where it was going at first. I thought maybe this was a start of a Titus push but like true WWE the match ended before anything good could happen. This was basically pointless.

In Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Corey asks Seth how the knee feels. Seth says it is alright and hopefully he will be coming back soon. Seth says it is medicine not magic. Corey asks where his head’s at. Seth says it sucks and he says he thought to himself maybe I deserved this. Seth says 2 years ago he was at WrestleMania holding the Championship and now he asks himself what he sacrificed for that. Seth asks if he bought in too much and says he let his ego get in the way. Seth says he feels like this is his fault. Corey asks Seth if he is going to miss WrestleMania. Seth says it is not looking great and doesn’t look like he will be cleared in time. Triple H’s music hits.
Triple H says it is heartbreaking. He says that the last time he saw him he didn’t think he’d see him again. Samoa Joe is on the outside looking on. Triple H tells Seth that he will not be at WrestleMania. Triple H says if Seth knows what is good for him he won’t be at Mania. Triple H says Seth knew this day was coming and he knew what he was getting into. Triple H says he did everything for Seth and delivered on every promised and Seth bit the hand that fed him. Triple H says he used Seth and spit him out. He says Seth is the past and another washed up beat up superstar who is worthless. Triple H tells Seth that he needs to make the right decision and don’t come to WrestleMania. Triple H says he is done warning him and if he shows up at WrestleMania he swears that it will be the last thing Seth ever does in a WWE ring. Seth says he has nothing left to lose. He says he will be at WrestleMania and if it is the last thing he ever does then it will be the last thing Triple H ever does.
My Opinion:
Goosebumps. Now that is the Pro Wrestling I love. It was passionate and You could see the hatred in both mens eyes. Seth is going to Mania and I can’t wait. It is going to be amazing and even though this injury was a setback it is going to make it that much sweeter seeing him there. This is going to be awesome!!!

Match 6: Big Show vs The Shining Stars (Epico & Primo)
Big Show quickly makes work of the Shining Stars. He slams them throws them and knocks them out for the win.
Winner: Big Show
My Opinion:
Not much to say but good for The Big Show.

Backstage Segment:
Neville approaches Tony Nese and says the purpose of the match is to put Gallagher in his place before their match this Sunday. Neville complains about Gallagher to Nese. Nese says tonight he is going to do what is best for him. Neville tells him not to screw this up.

Match 7: TJ Perkins & Jack Gallagher vs Tony Nese & Neville
Neville knocks Gallagher off the apron right away. Neville takes down Tj with a crossbody. He drives his knee into the face of Tj. Tj rolls up Nese but Nese kicks out. Gallagher gets the tag and takes out Nese with a crossbody. Gallagher takes out Neville with headbutt. Gallagher locks up Nese and stares at Neville. Nese taps out.
Winners: TJ Perkins & Jack Gallagher
My Opinion:
Gallagher looks ready heading into Sunday. Neville looks off his game for sure. Tj P needs some more air time. I love him and think he should get the title back sometime. I think it may be time for Gallagher to run with the title for awhile. The tricky part about this Sunday is it will affect WrestleMania so we will see who they want to run with.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie approaches Bayley and Sasha and asks if she heard it right that Sasha is going to be in Bayley’s corner. She tells Sasha to not worry because she will get her own spotlight when she faces Nia Jax.

Hall Of Fame Announcement: Beth Phoenix

Match 8: Samoa Joe vs Cesaro
Joe went right after Joe but Cesaro fights him off and takes down Joe. He lands a running upper cut and hits a crossbody. Joe goes for the injured knee but Cesaro is able to hit a dropkick. Joe goes after his knee again and is in control as Raw goes to break.
As we return Joe hits an enziguri in the corner. Cesaro reverses Joe and suplexes him. Joe gets up and continues to kick Cesaro. Joe rolls him up and locks in the knee bar. Cesaro fights back with rapid uppercuts. He is able to slam Joe but can’t get the win on the pin attempt. Cesaro looks for the swing but Cesaro is able to land a double knee to Joe. Joe gets Cesaro caught in the ropes. He slams Cesaro down and picks up the win.
*** Samoa Joe is stopped at the end and says he is here to hurt people. He is interrupted by Sami Zayn who attacks him. Sami fights Joe until security comes out. Joe lands a cheap shot but they are broken apart. Sami launches himself off the stage and takes out Joe. He continues to beat on Joe.
Winner: Samoa Joe
My Opinion:
It was a good match between the two. Obviously without Cesaro and the knee injury it would have been fantastic but for what they did even with the knee it was very impressive. Joe looks locked in and I hope they keep giving him matches against good wrestlers like Cesaro. It was also good to see Cesaro get in a singles match and wrestle someone who truly is a great pro wrestler.

In Ring Segment: Strowman & Reigns Contract Signing
Mick hypes the match and says we having the contract signing to stop Braun’s fears of Roman backing out of the match. Braun tells Mick his purpose here is done and to leave or else. Mick says he can read the writing on the wall that he might not be GM for long but as long as he is you will respect what he says. Braun says at one day he would’ve respected him but Mick is broken down. Mick says he has had enough of being talking down to tonight. He says you will respect him as a legend. Mick tells Braun he will learn to respect him or else. Roman’s music hits.
Roman goes right after Braun. Braun throws Roman but Roman catches him with a superman punch. Braun is not phased and slams Roman into the ring post. Braun brings Roman into the crowd and continues to hammer on him. Roman spears Braun through the barricade. Roman gets in the ring and signs the contract. Braun rises from the ground and gets in the ring. Roman hits him with a superman punch as he enters.. He goes for the spear but Braun throws him into the turnbuckle and the turnbuckle comes unhinged.
My Opinion:
First of all I loved the Mick Foley passion. Much respect for the legend. I see his time is coming to an end but it is true he will always be a legend. Roman and Braun battle and battle. It was awesome to see this big fight at the end, I just wish it was for a match that made more meaning behind it. Like the Universal Title match. I think the booking is all wrong but as far as the segment goes it was pretty good.

Final Thoughts:
It was not that great of a Raw considering it was a go home edition. For me it did not make me hyped for this Sunday. I will say Roman and Braun stole the show at the end. That definitely is shaping up to be a fight. The matches felt short tonight and there wasn’t much meaning or effort it seemed put into this Raw. It seems they are just coasting and trying to get Fast Lane over with so then it is just full force to WrestleMania.
Overall Rating: 6/10