Raw Review 05/01/2017

Tonight we see the Fallout from last night’s PayBack Pay Per View. Braun Strowman gave The Big Dog all he could handle. After leaving Roman Reigns coughing up his own blood, is it safe to safe Braun runs the red brand? What’s next for Alexa Bliss now that she is the new WWE Raw Women’s Champion? On the same note how will Bayley react to losing her title in her hometown? Cesaro and Sheamus reached their boiling point last night and attacked The Hardy’s out of frustration. Are Cesaro and Sheamus out for the titles or is it about proving a point? Seth Rollins stunned Samoa Joe last night. Is Rollins pasts Joe now or did he start something he might not be able to finish? All this and more on Monday Night Raw!

Raw is live tonight from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

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

In Ring Segment: Alexa Bliss
Alexa thanks all the women for being out there. She states that a lot of superstars come out and refer to themselves as queen. Alexa says she can finally say long live Alexa Bliss. Alexa states the fact that she is the first one to hold both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s title. She complains about the ref treating her like any other champion. She then thanks Mickie and pokes fun at her age. She “thanks” her for being there and inspiring here. She then thanks Sasha and says she is fantastic. She then tells Sasha to call her Raw Women’s Champion or the one who pinned you to get to where I am at. She then turns to Nia and says we’re good and says all the girls are jealous of here. She then steps up on the podium in the ring and says it feels great to be up here. She turns the attention to Bayley. She tells Bayley that if it wasn’t for her this wouldn’t be possible. She then calls Bayley’s family “adorable” and tells Bayley that after the match her family was all upset and crying. She tells Bayley that her family now have a real family to look up to.
My Opinion:
Interesting way to kick off Raw. I like the shakeup of starting it with the Women. This helps in reiterating the importance of the division. Alexa is doing amazing promos. She kills it on the mic every time and knows how to draw heat. For Bayley it’s perfect to work with her because it really brings out Bayley as a babyface. From the looks of the women in the ring Raw has a lot of talent on it and they definitely need to capitalize on that, maybe even two matches a night. The fight breaking out is good for Bayley. It shows she has real emotions and isn’t happy go lucky all the time.

Match 1: Mickie James & Bayley & Sasha Banks & Dana Brooke vs Emma & Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax & Alicia Fox
Bayley and Alexa start the match. Alexa backs away from Bayley and tags Emma. The two lock up and Emma sends her to the ground with a shot to the back. Bayley is able to get back on the offensive and land an armdrag. Bayley retains control and tags Mickie. Mickie works on the left arm of Emma. Emma tries to send Mickie to the mat but she kicks up. Mickie lands a few nice kicks sending Emma to the ground. Dana and Alicia get the tags. Dana sends her into the corner and lands a handspring elbow. Sasha gets the tag. Sasha works on the arm of Alicia and tags in Bayley to flip Alicia on the double team. Bayley throws Alicia into the corner and holds her there as Mickie gets the tag. She then wipes Mickie into the corner crushing Alicia. Mickie then tags Sasha. Sasha goes for the pin but Alicia kicks out again. Sasha wrenches on the back and neck of Alicia. Sasha is able to stay in control and hit double knees. Alicia is able to land a nice elbow and send Sasha over the ropes. We get a standoff between the teams on the outside as Raw goes to break.
As raw returns Alicia has Sasha on the ground in a chinlock. Sasha tries to fight out but Alicia is able to hit northern lights. Alicia drags Sasha to the corner and tags in Nia. Nia drops an elbow on Sasha. She then crushes her in the corner and tosses her across the ring. Nia drops another elbow and another. She then locks in a chin lock on Sasha. Nia drives Sasha into the corner and Alexa gets the tag. Alexa slams Sasha’s face on the mat. She goes for a cover but Sasha kicks out. Sasha fights back but is thrown back down to the mat. Alexa misses on Sasha and Bayley gets the tag. Bayley hits a series of clotheslines to take down Alexa. She then bangs Alexa’s head off the turnbuckle. Bayley hits a suplex but Nia breaks up the tag. Dana and Mickie take out Nia. Sasha and Bayley take out Alicia. Alexa rakes Bayley’s eyes and hits a ddt for the win.
Winners: Emma & Alexa Bliss & Nia Jax & Alicia Fox
My Opinion:
I loved this match. First I think it was a great call to open Raw with the women. It felt very fresh and original. Alexa picking up the dirty win is great as well. This is really making her a great heel. She is becoming the heel people really hate. She’s the type that runs her mouth, hides, and picks her spots. The women really did tear it up in the ring. They did very well in working together and made this a very entertaining match. I think these women work so well together and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep doing matches like this every once in awhile. I think it really helps to showcase the division and remind people of the talent they have.

Match 2: Enzo Amore vs Luke Gallows
***Anderson and Gallows come from behind to attack Enzo and Cass. Enzo and Cass are able to send them out of the ring.
Gallows grabs Enzo and knocks him to the ground. Gallows backs Enzo into the corner and knocks him with right. Enzo catches Gallows with a boot but Gallows again catches Enzo and sends him to the mat. Gallows lands a big power slam and taunts Enzo. Gallows wrenches the arm of Enzo keeping him grounded. Gallows lands a huge boot. He tries to tee off but Enoz fights right back. Gallows quickly regroups and sends Enzo back to the ground and goes back to the arm. Gallows picks up Enzo and slams him to the mat. Enzo hits Gallows in the gut and is able to hit him with a boot. He hits a running bulldog to take down Gallows. Gallows tries to pick up Enzo but Enzo turns it into a small package. Gallows is able to kick out. Enzo glances at Anderson and Gallows is able to take advantage and put Enzo away.
Winner: Luke Gallows
My Opinion:
This match wasn’t very entertaining. I’m over watching Enzo get stomped all the time. The match feels so old and drawn out. I hate the kind of matches that feel like they an hour long. There could’ve been more excitement but the ball was dropped. I don’t know if fans really care about the rivalry between the teams. In my eyes it’s time to move on from them. You have new teams to the roster but they really haven’t been utilized. I would have rather watched Gallows vs Rhyno.

Backstage Segment:
TJ asks Neville what happened last night. TJ tells Neville that people see it as he was about to tap out. Neville says his actions were unintentional and the ref got in the way of him ending the Austin Aries problem. Neville asks TJ how he’s going to get what he deserves when Aries is the clear contender. Neville tells TJ to make the most of his match with Aries tonight.

In Ring Segment: Seth Rollins
Seth tells the crowd he is doing well and feeling really good after last night. Seth states that we have all had lows and highs. Seth tells that you have to keep fighting and embrace the sucky part of life just as much as the good stuff. He says that WrestleMania he slayed the King of Kings. Seth says there is one thing left to do, he wants The Beast. Seth says he wants the Universal Championship. He is then interrupted by Finn Balor.
Balor says Seth is the one legged man that won at WrestleMania. He says that he is the one armed man who became the Universal Champion. He reminds Seth that he beat him and he never actually lost the title. He tells seth that the line starts here. Out comes Dean Ambrose.
Dean tells that Brock does what he wants and fights when he wants. He states that he will fight anytime. He says that the Intercontinental Title is the number one Championship on Raw and he’s ready to get to some action. Out comes Miz.
Miz claims that Rollins and Balor haven’t earned anything. He then calls Ambrose an embarrassment as Champion. Miz says he deserves the Intercontinental title because he made it mean something. Miz then calls Balor a coward. Miz states that he defended his title nightly. He turns to Rollins and makes fun of him and his injured leg. Seth says he could run circle around him. Miz states this is not a running contest and he is the biggest threat on Monday Night. They all tell him to shut up. Dean says he will face anyone at anytime and everyone likes to see the Miz get beat up. Dean calls Kurt and a match is made, Miz vs Balor vs Rollins for the #1 Contendership for the Intercontinental Title.
My Opinion:
Great chemistry by these four. I think with Brock not being here regularly it was very important to do this. The Intercontinental Title needed that push and people needed to see it as important because that’s the title most around on Raw now. Having Rollins, Balor, and Miz fight for it just pushes the importance even farther.

Match 3: Tony Nese & Brian Kendrick & Noam Dar vs Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher
Kendrick and Tozawa start off. The two trade punches. Kendrick is grunde buy Tozawa but Nese comes into even the odds. Nese gets the tag and takes it to Tozawa. He gets him in a torture rack but Tozawa fights out. Dar and Swann get the tags. Swann is able to fight him off and Gallagher gets the tag. Gallagher, Swann and Tozawa send the other three men to the outside.
Kendrick works on Tozawa. Kendrick lands a suplex. Nese gets the tag and showboats. Tozawa is able to fight back but Nese turns it around and sends Tozawa off the top rope. Dar gets the tag. Dar works the arm of Tozawa. Dar lands a huge upper cut and tags Nese.Nese goes back to the torture rack. Nese lands a big blow to Tozawa’s neck. Tozawa is able to land a suplex on Nese. Dar gets the tag but can’t stop Tozawa form getting the tag. Swann gets the tag and takes out Kendrick. He hits big rolling thunder splash but Kendrick kicks out. Gallagher gets the tag and lands a huge headbutt. The pin is broken up by Nese. Gallagher sends Nese out with a headlock. Kendrick locks in the captain’s hook but Tozawa saves it with the shining wizard. Tozawa takes the men out on the outside. In the ring Gallagher gets a pinfall victory on Kendrick.
Winners: Rich Swann & Akira Tozawa & Jack Gallagher
My Opinion:
I wasn’t impressed by the match. It is nothing new, there’s nothing big about the match. I see these as nothing but a waste of time. I don’t think throwing these guys out there is a smart move at all. The crowd was so dead and this match got a lot of air time. There’s so much more they could be doing instead of wasting time like this. I’d rather have a few Women’s matches tonight rather watch more than one Cruiserweight bought.

In Ring Segment:
Sheamus tells that it feels so good to be set free. Sheamus says he has been living in a fog of illusion. Sheamus states he never really liked anyone. Sheamus says that no one really believed in him. Sheamus talks about how WrestleMania was suppose to be their moment and The hardy’s stole it. Cesaro says the people felt a rush for The Hardy’s just like they do every time someone new shows up. Cesaro states that the feel good moment didn’t last long and that they proved The Hardy’s are just a novelty act. Sheamus says that Novelty acts don’t last long. Sheamus states that this is the WWE that belongs to Sheamus and Cesaro. Cesaro proclaims they will win back the tag team titles because they don’t set the bar, they are the bar. Out comes The Hardy Boyz.
Matt thanks Sheamus and cesaro for the explanation. Matt says Jeff and him were hurting from the post match ambush. Matt says their response is, they make the delete gesture and charge the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro retreat.
My Opinion:
Good idea turning Sheamus and Cesaro heel. I think you really need that good and bad distinction as the whole sportsmanship gets old after awhile. Sheamus and Cesaro haven’t changed much since being a team so they need to change it up. Sheamus and Cesaro both have been heel so this is nothing new. For The hardy’s to get over the best they need to be the heros and fighting the new found villains of sheamus and Cesaro they can do just that.

Backstage Segment:
Miz is asked about his strategy going into tonight. Miz brings up the history between Rollins and Balor. He says it’s all about… He is then interrupted by Ambrose. Ambrose pokes fun at Miz and Miz walks away.

Match 4: Heath Slater w/ Rhyno vs Apollo Crews w/ Titus O’neil
The two start with a lock up. Crews is able to slam Slater. Slater rolls out and tries to lock up Crews. Crews quickly fights out. Slater reverses and gets a side headlock. Crews is able to kick up. Crews gets the side headlock and knocks slater to the ground. Slater hits a deep armdrag. Slater sends Crews to the corner and tries to roll him up. Slater throws Crews into the ring and tries for a cover. Slater gets a chinlock but Crews fights to a vertical base. Crews lands big chops and sends Slater to the mat. Crews misses with a kick but catches slater with an enziguri. Crews hits sit down powerbomb to pick up the win.
Winner: Apollo Crews
My Opinion:
I didn’t mind this match. It was fresh and nice to see the new faces on Raw. I like the relationship between Titus and Apollo. I think these two together can really help each other out. Titus in my eyes deserves a push he hasn’t been given Crew also could use a push but I think Crews needs more character than just being a nice guy. Maybe Titus is the answer to giving him more flavor to his character.

In Ring Segment:
Angle says that last night the match between Roman and Braun has consequences. He announces the injuries of the two and says they’re not done with each other. He says Roman has broken ribs and other internal injuries. Braun has a torn rotator cuff. Kurt says we will have answers at a later date and is interrupted by Bray Wyatt.
Bray introduces himself to Kurt. He tells Kurt that he means him no harm. Bray states that he has come tonight as a savior. He tells how he closed the chapter of Randy Orton. He says that Orton will forever be in his house of horrors. Bray claims he is reborn. Bray says he can fix you, and claims there is an evil all around us infecting us. He tells Kurt that Kurt needs him. He asks Kurt if he is going to allow him to do his work. Kurt says he doesn’t know what he has planned but this is his show. Bray states that this may be Kurt’s show but this is his world.
My Opinion:
I love Bray Wyatt. They do a very good job at selling his character and no one does it like him today. Bray is the dark soul of WWE and he owns the character. He gives that eerie feeling we look for in someone like him. I hope Bray stays at the top on Raw and they run with him. He can do great things especially if he was able to get The Demon King. I think even Bray having a build up with Brock would be killer.

Backstage Segment:
Ambrose approaches Rollins and jokes that he is a reporter. Ambrose asks Rollins if he has what it takes to take the Intercontinental Title. Rollins says he has done it before and Dean knows that Rollins doesn’t stop when he is focused on the title. Dean says Rollins should know that Dean doesn’t go down.

Match 5: Austin Aries vs TJ Perkins
Aries pounds on Tj and is able to land a big elbow. Aries lands another elbow and a shot to the mid section. Aries lands a huge slap to Tj’s head. Aries hangs onto the apron and is able to land a neck breaker with the help of the ropes. Aries is stopped by Tj, but Aries lands a huge elbows. Aries gets caught in the corner and Tj goes off on him. Tj is in control of Aries. He gets a butterfly lock on Aries. Tj is able to launch himself off the second rope to take aries down. Tj stomps on Aries. He continues to soften up Aries. Tj keeps Aries on the ground. Aries tries to fight back but Tj is able to get a half crab locked in on the top rope. Tj then tries to use the ring post but Aries is able to fight back and send Tj face first into the post. Aries launches himself out of the ring to take out Tj. Aries lands flush chops, a gut buster, and a pendulum elbow. Aries goes to the second rope and lands an elbow to the back of the neck. Tj is able to land a shot on Aries and starts with rapid fire strikes. Tj gets slammed with a shin breaker. Aries gets taking to the ground. Aries fights back and locks in the last chancery for the win.
*** After the match Tj attacks Aries and locks in the kneebar.
Winner: Austin Aries
My Opinion:
Not a bad match between the two. The matches themselves are good but it just feels overplayed. I think with the Cruiserweights they hold onto storylines for too long and it gets very dull watching the same guys going at it again and again.

Backstage Segment:
Dean asks Finn if he is nervous. Finn says he eats nerves and produces results. He tells Dean that the title will be going to the Balor Club. Finn takes a bite of a donut, Elias Sampson appears and Dean claims that he likes him.

Backstage Segment:
Goldust tells Kurt about a movie he wants produced called The Golden Quest. R-Truth tells Kurt that they want to challenge for the titles. Kurt says he can’t do it because of their win loss record. Goldust says that him and Truth are inspired and they need a chance to prove that they are not a joke. Goldust says they need this. Kurt agrees to give them a match next week. It is going to be a tag team turmoil match and the winners will the #1 Contender’s.

Match 6: Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins vs The Miz:
#1 Contender’s Match for the Intercontinental Championship.
Miz right away rolls out of the ring. He tells Rollins and Balor to go at it. Rollins works the arm of Balor. Balor rolls him up but Rollins quickly kicks out. Balor is able to lock a side headlock but Rollins quickly reverses. Miz continues to make sure there is no pinfall. Balor and Rollins go to the outside to try to get Miz. Miz gets caught in the ring. Miz tries to team up with Balor and then Rollins. Miz tries to hit Balor but he is caught. They send Miz to the floor. Rollins tries to steal one but Balor kicks out. Rollins is able to take out Miz but is hit by a big kick from Balor. Balor pounds on him in the corner. Rollins reverses and goes after Balor but Balor catches him with a kick. Miz takes Balor out on the apron. Rollins then takes out Miz. He tries for a suicide dive but Maryse gets in front of Miz. Balor goes after Rollins but is stopped by a kick from Miz. Rollins goes to the top but is dumped to the outside by Miz.
Balor lands big chops on the chest of Miz. Miz wears down Balor with a chinlock. Miz gloats and takes too much time as balor is able to counter him. Rollins comes in and take out Balor. Miz gets on the offensive and sends Rollins into the post. Miz is able to hit a big drop kick. Miz follows up with a clothesline and goes to the top. He jumps and takes down Rollins but Rollins kicks out on the pin attempt. Miz punches Rollins. He sends Rollins into Balor. Miz stomps on Rollins. Miz lands flush kicks to both Rollins and Balor. Balor is able to send Miz into Rollins. Balor dropkicks Rollins and that sends Rollins down ddting Miz in the process. Balor is able to chop Rollins and lands a kick on Miz to send him to the floor. Blor then sends Rollins to the floor. Balor lands a huge kick on Miz and then a running dropkick on Rollins. Balor hits 1916 but Miz breaks it up. Miz is caught but Balor and sent out to the floor. Rollins is hit with the sling blade. Miz uses the post to take out Balor. Rollins rolls up Miz but can’t get the win. Miz hits a ddt but doesn’t get the 3. Rollins sends Miz into the corner. Miz counters and looks for the figure four. He gets it locked but it is broken up by Balor. Balor takes it to the Miz and Rollins finishes him with a kick. Rollins lands a huge kick on Balor but Baor kicks out at 2 ½ . Rollins takes it Balor with clotheslines and sends Miz face first off the turnbuckle. Rollins hits a double blockbuster. He hits a frog splash but Balor again kicks out. Miz goes to the top and Rollins climbs up and hits a suplex. He hits a Falcon Arrow and Miz kicks out. Rollins takes out Balor with a suicide dive. Samoa Joe comes out of nowhere and lais out Rollins. Balor hits the slingblade on Miz and dropkicks him into the corner. Bray Wyatt comes out and knocks Balor off the top rope. He hits sister abigail on Balor. Miz crawls to Balor and picks up the win.
Winner: The Miz
My Opinion:
What a match between these men. They left it all out there and put on such a good match. It didn’t drag and they kept it interesting the whole time. I loved the way everything went. Rollins and Joe definitely need to have another classic and Balor vs Wyatt would be a dream. Miz deserves the win because he has been so good the past year. You know him and Ambrose can put on a great match so there is no disappointment there. They finished very strong tonight and I would even say that’s one of the top finishes over the past couple months.

Final Thoughts:
Not the best Raw I’ve ever seen. Tonight was pretty plain and that interesting. I did enjoy some aspects such as the Women kicking off the show. I thought that was a good change and really helped to showcase their division. It sets forth the importance of the division making them first. The decision of turning Sheamus and Cesaro heel was a good one too. It will definitely help out the tag division to have more heels. Most of the matches tonight really weren’t exciting and didn’t mean anything. I was very entertained by Dean’s backstage segments. Also Bray Wyatt killed his promo as always. The Intercontinental #1 Contender’s match was a very good main event. Those are three of the best on Raw and they showed it. Miz winning isn’t a bad thing. I think the rivalries that are in place will be very good for the red brand. Especially if Balor gets Wyatt.
Overall Rating: 6.7/10