Raw Review 04/17/2017

Tonight we see the fallout from last week’s SuperStar Shakeup. Raw gained the likes of Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt but also suffered losses with the likes of Charlotte and Kevin Owens or Chris Jericho which we will find out at PayBack. Following his attack on Roman Reigns are we officially calling Braun Strowman unstoppable? Also being looked at tonight who will be the next challenger for Bayley? She now has the likes of Alexa Bliss and Mickie James on Raw so she sees a lot of competition in her future. Will Seth Rollins be able to finish his business with Samoa Joe? Last week we saw the Drifter Elias Samson show up on Raw, is he here to stay? Most importantly people want to know which new Red Brand Members will shake things up the most. Hopefully with people getting acclimated with their new home we will see them start to make their mark.

Raw is live tonight from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio

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

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman
Braun says he is proud to say that last week he broke Roman Reigns in half. He goes on to say he is proud he sent Roman in an ambulance, that he is injured and most importantly won’t be here tonight. He states that with Roman out of his way he is ready to tear through the whole locker room and show the world he is The Monster Among Men. Out comes Kurt Angle.
Kurt asks what point he is trying to prove, telling him he has done enough damage. Braun says there is still more to come. Kurt states he is giving Roman a match with Braun at PayBack. Braun claims it will be Roman’s funeral, he then asks about tonight. Kurt tells him he should be suspended, and he can consider tonight off. Braun brings up Foley and says he acted the same way, he states he wants more competition or else. Kurt asks or else what, but Braun exits the ring without an answer.
My Opinion:
I love Braun like this, I wish they would have kept him like this and didn’t give him a pointless Road to WrestleMania storyline. I think Braun can do some damage and become a top guy. If Khali can do it Braun definitely can. I love his exit, maybe it was expected that he wouldn’t give an answer but either way it was effective. Braun to me is a Monster and this sets him up for destruction. We get that unpredictability that we use to get from Kane in the past.

Match 1: Chris Jericho vs Samoa Joe
Joe right away drives Jericho into the corner. He unloads with a series of right hands. He gets Jericho to the ground and pushes on his head with his foot. Jericho is able to get the upper hand and take him out with a cross body. Jericho looks for the walls put Joe pushes him off. Joe goes to the outside and tries to get back in the ring but Jericho sends him to the floor with an enziguri as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Joe is back on offensive, He lands hards chops to Jericho’s back. He continues to pound on Jericho and put pressure on his neck. Jericho fights out with rights but Joe stops him with a knee. He tries to send Jericho to the floor but Jericho hangs on and lands an axe handle. Joe comes back with a power slam but can’t get the win on the pin attempt. Jericho is able to come back and hit the LionSault but Joe kicks out on the pin. Joe fires back and plants Jericho. He goes to the second rope and tries to land a senton but Jericho rolls out-of-the-way. Jericho looks to lock in The Walls and is able to. Joe tries to hang on and fights out of it. Joe and Jericho trade punches but Joe throws Jericho off. He gets the Coquina Clutch locked in and Jericho fades. Joe brings it to the mat and wraps his legs around Jericho. Jericho is forced to tap.
*** Joe calls out Rollins who is at the announcer’s table. He claims Rollins was just a target in Triple H. He says he cares about his clientele and says for what he did to Triple H and Stephanie it will be personal at PayBack. Rollins says of course it will be personal you almost cost me my career. Rollins states that PayBack is a bitch.
Winner: Samoa Joe
My Opinion:
Joe was very impressive tonight. He showed he is dominate and here to stay with a lot to prove. A big win tonight and hopefully it sets him up for good things down the line. I love the feud with him and Rollins. I think this is one of those feuds that can make a mark without any titles or anything like that involved. Joe has made him name in wrestling but now he has to make a name in WWE, wins over Jericho and a feud with Rollins can definitely help in that.

Backstage Segment:
Braun Comes out of nowhere and attacks R-Truth and Goldust.He first takes out Goldust. He then turns his attention to Truth, he pushes Truth to the ground and pushes him into an empty bin. Help comes and gets Braun away.

Backstage Segment:
A Ref comes in and tells Braun he is suppose to be gone. Braun says he will leave when he wants unless you have a problem. The Ref looks terrified and walks out.

Match 2: Enzo & Cass vs The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
*** The Club comes out and says just because The Golden Truth got the United airlines treatment doesn’t mean they get snubbed. They call for competition and out comes Enzo and Cass.
Cass and Anderson start off the match. Cass takes it to him driving him into the turnbuckles. He tags Enzo and throws Enzo into Anderson. Enzo does little to Anderson and tags in Cass. Cass back Anderson into the corner and delivers big slaps. He brings Anderson to the apron and slaps him to the ground. They take out Gallows and Cass throws Enzo into Anderson on the outside as Raw goes to break.
Gallows is taking to Enzo but Enzo fights back. Gallows stops Enzo from getting the tag and Anderson tags himself in. Anderson brings him to the ground and wrenches on his arm. Enzo gets o a vertical base and lands solid rights to Anderson’s midsection. Anderson lets off and throws Enzo down. Gallows gets the tag and pushes on Enzo. Gallows gets an armlock of his own and throws Enzo to the ground as enzo tried to fights out. He continues to work on the left arm of Enzo. Gallows backs Enzo into the corner and lands a shot before tagging Anderson. Anderson keeps on the left arm of Enzo. Enzo battles back but Anderson plants him with a spinebuster. Gallows gets the tag and slaps Enzo. He backs Enzo to the corner but Enzo fights out and lands a ddt from the second rope. He tries for a tag but Anderson gets the tag and stops him. He hammers on Enzo in the corner. He tries to take out Ezno in the corner but Enzo rolls out of the ring. Enzo gets the tag and Cass comes in hot. He takes out Gallows and lands a side slam to Anderson. He lands the Empire Elbow and a big boot. Enzo gets the tag but Gallows comes in to intercept. Enzo takes out Gallows and they send him to the floor. Cass goes to the outside as well. Anderson throws Enzo into the corner and it takes out Enzo for the three count.
Winners: The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
The match was good but I feel like I’ve seen this over and over. The problem with this is that in a real feud there is a good story, there are things beyond the wrestling. With these teams all they’ve really done is have match after match but it isn’t really a feud. Therefore all we see is the wrestling and it becomes very repetitive. It’s not that I don’t love both teams because I do but to me I would’ve sent the Hardy’s or even Rhyno and Slater just to shake it up. That keeps it fresh but sending Enzo and Cass is something we expect now and doesn’t give that exciting feeling of oh who’s coming out, it feels almost like a let down to me. I spent half the match watching a left arm get worked and then the finish was one of the oddest things I’ve seen for a finish and it didn’t do it for me.

In Ring Segment: Miz TV w/ Dean Ambrose
Miz welcomes everyone to Miz Tv. he reminds everyone how they shocked the world last week moving to Raw. He continues on but is quickly interrupted by Dean Ambrose’s music.
Ambrose thanks Miz for having him. Miz asks Ambrose if he is jumping the gun a little bit. Ambrose plays with the crowd as he and Miz are both from Ohio. Miz asks Ambrose if he thinks this is a joke. Ambrose says that suit and shoes are a joke. Miz says he dresses and acts like that because he respects what a WWE Superstar is. He calls Ambrose a disgrace of a WWE Superstar. He states he is irritated the most that the crowd loves Ambrose. He goes on to talk about how Ambrose has gotten opportunity after opportunity. He Throws it in Ambrose face that he was on the pre show of WrestleMania. He states Ambrose is lazy and complacent. Ambrose says it doesn’t matter what he wears, what matter is in his heart. He states he is not a brand he is Dean Ambrose. He states he does this because he loves it. He says that no one does it like him and that is why he is Intercontinental Champion. Maryse tells Dean that he is not a real champion. Dean asks Maryse to hold his mic. He takes off his jacket while Miz still runs his mouth. Miz calls Ambrose a joke and Ambrose attacks him. Maryse tries to get in the way and Miz tries to take advantage. Ambrose tries for Dirty Deeds again but Miz and Maryse retreat.
My Opinion:
I love the Miz. He knows how to play to crowd and is a true heel. Maryse being by his side is perfect because he is full of himself and she backs it which makes us dislike him even more. Ambrose is the man and he and Miz definitely can tear the house down. Miz and Dolph did it and I think Miz and Ambrose can as well. I believe they will make the title mean something and not be forgotten like the U.S. title was on Raw.

Backstage Segment:
Braun is dragging Kalisto and says I’m leaving and bringing him with me. He stomps on him and throws him in the trash bin. Big Show comes out of nowhere and knocks Braun to the ground and tells him to pick on someone his own size.

Match 3: TJ Perkins vs Jack Gallagher
*** Neville comes out before the match making a special appearance. Austin Aries then comes out as well. He says making an even specialer appearance the next Cruiserweight Champion A Double Austin Aries.
The two lock up and Gallager gets a side headlock. He keeps it locked in on Perkins tries to get out. Gallagher is able to keep it locked in and bring him to the ground. Gallagher spins out of Perkins wrist lock and gets his own in. He bends the arm of Perkins and gets a roll up. Perkins is able to kick out at two. Perkins locks his legs around Gallaghers neck but Gallagher reverses it. Perkins tries to fight out but Gallagher sends him flying. Gallagher mocks Perkins and Perkins mocks him. Gallagher lands rights but is sent to the outside as Perkins moves out-of-the-way as Raw goes to break.
Gallagher fights off Perkins and throws him. Gallagher slams Perkins and goes for a cover but Perkins kicks out. Perkins lands a springboard forearm. He can’t get momentum as Gallagher hits a headbutt. Perkins goes to the floor and Gallagher follows. He grabs the umbrella and Gallagher flies from the top rope taking out Perkins on the outside. Perkins on the outside sends Gallagher into Aries. Aries goes to the apron but Neville comes from behind taking him out. Perkins kicks the middle rope into the eyes of Gallagher. He follows up with the detonation Kick and picks up the win.
Winner: TJ Perkins
My Opinion:
The two were entertaining in the match but I am still not sold on the Cruiserweights. To me it still feels dull and I sometimes find myself saying oh great here we go. That’s not how I want to feel while watching Raw. They need something big to happen for them. The wrestling style has been toned down since the Cruiserweight Classic and therefore it’s nothing that special anymore. For people who don’t watch 205 Live and don’t learn about these guys this is just boring. It’s showing up to an event and having no idea who these guys really are and I don’t feel their spots on Raw make people really want to tune in on Tuesday nights.

Backstage Segment:
Apollo Crews is approached by Titus O’neil. He asks Apollo what he is going to do to make an impact. Titus tells him to get on with the Titus brand. He gives Apollo his card and tells him to think about it.

Backstage Segment:
The Hardy’s are asked what has surprised them the most in their return. Matt says everything. Jeff says wrestleMania was incredible and they are excited to be back and be apart of the new era on raw. Cesaro and Sheamus approach and welcome the Hardy’s back to Raw. Sheamus tells how he use to watch the Hardy’s and they have their respect. Sheamus tells them that it will be an honor to defeat them and win back their championships. Matt says they don’t need ladders to beat them. Cesaro says let’s keep it respectful and we will see you out there. Jeff finishes with it’s good to be back.

Match 4: Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax vs Mickie James vs Alexa Bliss: #1 Contender’s Match
Alexa is thrown down right away as she tries to run away. Mickies jumps on Nia’s back but nia throws here in the corner and then crushes her. She goes for a pin but Alexa breaks it up. Alexa runs away again and Mickie takes advantage and knocks Nia out of the ring. Mickie and Sasha go at it. Mickie gets the upper hand and goes for a jackknife cover but Sasha kicks out. Mickie hits a nice dropkick but Sasha is able to send Micie reeling. Mickie hits a neckbreaker but is dragged out of the ring by Nia. Sasha flies through the second rope to take out Nia and Mickie.
Nia catches Sasha and throws her on Alexa, she does the same with Mickie. Nia wrenches on Mickie’s neck and brings her to the mat. Mickie battles back but Nia throws her to the ground. Nia then does the same to Alexa. Sasha fires with rights but runs into a series of back elbows and finds herself in a bear hug from Nia. Sasha reverses and looks for a guillotine but Nia turns it into a vertical suplex. Nia turns the attention to Mickie and squeezes the breath out of Mickie. Mickie is able to get an armbar locked in. Nia fights out and throws Mickie into Sasha. Nia goes shoulder first into the post. Mickie knows down Alexa and catches her with a kick. Mickie is taken out by Sasha. Sasha lands a kick on Alexa and follows up with right in the corner. Sasha hits the double knees but Nia breaks up the pin. Mickie battles back and takes down Nia. Alexa then sends Mickie into Nia. Alex and Sasha battle. Sasha locks in the Banks Statement but Mickie breaks it up. Mickie and Sasha trade slaps but Mickie sends Sasha face first into the mat. Mickie goes to the top but is stopped by Sasha. Nia lands a Samoan Drop on Sasha. Alexa comes in and steals a win.
Winner: Alexa Bliss: #1 Contender.
My Opinion:
The Women put on a great match tonight. At times it gets tough with Nia in matches, I think sometimes it takes away from the wrestling because the attention is on how to stop Nia. I like the decision to have Alexa win. She was the face of the SmackDown women and now this gets her in the spotlight on Raw for those who didn’t see that much of here. Alexa is awesome and I can’t wait to see what her and Bayley can do. Finally we get some fresh matchups here and not the same old dragged out stories.

Backstage Segment:
Big Show is asked about his decision to stand up to Braun. Show says that Braun needs to learn some intimidation and he will get a taste of his own medicine tonight.

Match 5: Curt Hawkins vs Finn Balor
***Hawkins gets on the mic and gloats trying to talk himself up more, he asks who is going to come out and join Curt Hawkins star factory and out comes Finn Balor.
Finn chops Hawkins and knocks him to the ground with a drop kick. He hits a slingblade and dropkicks him into the corner. He hits the kudagra and picks up the victory.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Usually I would hate Finn getting thrown into this but I think it’s good. Let him settle in and remind people who he is. We didn’t get to see that much of him so it makes sense to let him get his feet wet. I like Finn and think he is amazing and if we can get through this patch of squash matches for him then we will be off to great things. I have no doubt he will be champ again and it’s only a matter of time before he claims the top spot. The main thing with Finn is health so if he has to take it easy and let his body rest then this is a good thing. This way the name is still there people still love him and get to see him but he doesn’t have to do as much and can save that for the bigger events.

Backstage Segment:
Jericho is asked about his match earlier. Jericho says he lost and there is nothing to be ashamed of. He says he is focused on Owens, he states that Owens is not a good-looking guy and America deserves better. He reminds that if he wins at PayBack he will go to SmackDown but no matter where he goes he always has the friends of Jericho. Elias Samson walks by during the interview and Jericho puts him on the list.

Bray Wyatt Message:
Bray Wyatt asks what are you afraid of. He lists the dark, the unknown, the monsters under your bed. He claims that fear brings everyone together but he does not bow down to fear, he controls it. He states fear lives within him. He claims that he knows that Randy is scared and that in his house of horrors all his fears will come to life. He says he will drop Randy into the abyss. He states Randy will know pain, fear, and horror. He says that Randy’s pain will fuel him and his pain will play like symphonies to his hears. He states that when he leaves the house of horror’s he will burn it to the ground with Randy inside. He wants Randy to join him where it all began and where it all will end. He says it all burns down here and finishes with run.
My Opinion:
I love Bray Wyatt so much. He is what I love in wrestling, which is a larger than life character. He did it through promos and made people fear/love him through it. He’s special in the sense that he doesn’t need to have matches every week to keep up who he is. He kills the promos and moves people with them. It doesn’t matter what he does in the ring because he bring people back with his killer promos. He is definitely a different breed and I love that he is on Raw and I can’t wait for the House of Horror’s match.

Backstage Segment:
Alicia shows Dana a video from 205 Live. Emma comes in and tells that Dana was showing everyone and making fun of here. Alicia gets made and says Dana is rude. She says that she does not want to be Dana’s friend anymore. Dana tells Emma that it was such a lie. Emma tells her that she wanted to stand on her own two feet so let’s see how good your balance is.

Match 6: Jeff Hardy vs Cesaro
The two lock up and Jeff twists the arm of cesaro. Cesaro is able to counter and bring Jeff to the mat. Jeff gets a side headlock and hits a big dropkick sending Cesaro to the floor. Jeff launches himself off the apron taking out Cesaro. Jeff gets caught but Cesaro and he slams him to the mat. Jeff rolls to the outside and this time Cesaro goes to the outside to take advantage. He lands a massive running uppercut. Cesaro goes for the pin but Jeff kicks out at 2. Jeff is able to counter in the ring and Jeff heads to the top. Cesaro sees and rolls out of the ring as Raw goes to break.
Cesaro sends Jeff flying to the outside. Cesaro throws him in the ring and goes for the cover but Jeff kicks out. He tries again but Jeff is out again. Cesaro tries to wear him down but Jeff fights back with a clothesline. Cesaro comes back with an uppercut in the corner. Another cover and another kick out by Jeff. Cesaro hammers away with rights. Jeff lands another clothesline and follows with an inverted atomic drop. He hits another dropkick and splashes into the lateral presh but cesaro kicks out. Cesaro twist Jeff around and hits an uppercut. Cesaro hits a springboard corkscrew uppercut but Jeff is out of the cover again. Jeff takes down Cesaro and goes to the top but cesaro knocks Jeff off the top. Cesaro looks for a suplex but Jeff blocks it. Jeff hits a dropkick sending Cesaro out of the ring. Cesaro comes back in and side steps jeff. Jeff hits him with an elbow. Jeff flies from the top but Cesaro kicks out of the pin attempt. Jeff hits the twist of fate and looks to go to the top. Jeff hits the Swanton and picks up the victory.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
My Opinion:
A very awesome match between these two. It was a very interesting clash of styles. Jeff was back in vintage fashion. Cesaro looked on point as well. When you add Sheamus and Matt into the mix you know they will kill it at PayBack. Jeff and Matt are great to have around and they will help guys like Cesaro and Sheamus get to a whole new level then they have ever been before. It is so cool have the Hardy’s back and great seeing them against new talents.

Backstage Segment:
We get an update on the Golden truth and Kalisto. We are told they are receiving treatment. Rhyno and Slater interrupt and introduce themselves to the raw crowd. Slater and Rhyno joke but are stirred up by a passing Braun Strowman. Strowman heads to the ring for his match against Big Show.

Match 7: Braun Strowman vs Big Show
Braun goes right after Show right away. He drove Big Show right into the barricade. Big Show fires back and throws Braun into the steps. He follows with throwing Braun into the barricade. Braun punches Big Show but Big Show fights back. They both miss on hip tosses and Show sends Braun to the floor. Big Show hits a baseball slide and goes to the outside driving Braun into the steps. Braun tries to break Big Show’s grip and does. He takes down Show with an armdrag. He follows up with a second one. Braun tries to slam Show but he fights him off. Both men block power slams. Show finally slams Braun. He goes for the chokeslam but braun blocks and hits a suplex. Braun hits a big right hand and mocks Big Show. Braun lands a headbutt and stalks Big Show. A kick to the gut and Braun and soaks in the crowd. A forearm to the jaw of Big Show from Braun. Show gets to his feet and drives braun into the corner. Show hits a big splash in the corner. Show lifts Braun to the top rope. Show goes to the top and looks for a suplex. Braun lands right hands that drops Show to the mat. Big Show hits a chokeslam and goes for the cover. Braun kicks out. Show gears up for the knockout punch but Braun ducks and hits a big slam. Braun goes to the top and here comes Big Show. Big show lands a big headbutt and goes to the top. Braun counters the suplex by Big Show and Show crashes hard. Braun goes to fly and Big Show hits him with a KO punch. Braun is able to kick out of the pin. Big Show goes to the top rope but here comes Braun. Braun looks for a suplex and hits it. The ring imploded on the impact.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
One heck of a main event. That wasn’t no quick match, that was a start fight. It was awesome and those two left everything out there. Braun looked amazing and this put him exactly where he needs to be. Big Show deserves this kind of match. He showed that he still has it tonight. There no reason in my mind why Big Show can’t get involved in some good feuds to finish out. People may have seen the ending coming but they need to understand that the ring literally imploded on that. That was no joke the whole thing came down. One heck of an ending, Brock and Show ending like that will always be number one but the this was insane for how the ring just collapsed like that like completely to the ground. If you ever helped in setting up a ring you’ll know how crazy that was.

Final Thoughts:
The first stretch of Raw wasn’t that great to me. The matches seemed dull and there really was no good head of steam. The final half killed it in my mind. The women did awesome and I can’t wait for Alexa and Bayley. As a wrestling fan you got two amazing matches to end the show. Jeff and Cesaro had an amazing match. Their styles mixed so well and I can’t wait for the tag team match. Braun and Big Show slayed that main event. They did so well and gave us a real show. The ring did imploded, it went to the ground and people need to understand what that actually means for a ring to do something like that.
Overall Rating: 7/10