Raw Review 07/16/2018

Tonight is the Fall-Out Edition of Monday Night Raw following last night’s Extreme Rules PPV. After Kurt Angle gave Brock Lesnar a huge ultimatum will Brock show up or will he be stripped of the Universal Championship. Plus after retaining her Raw Women’s Championship against Nia Jax, are Alexa Bliss’s days as champion numbered with Ronda Rousey coming back in just a matter of days? Also, what is next for The B Team after they successfully became the new Raw Tag Team Champions last night? Seth Rollins fell just short of recapturing the Intercontinental Championship so does this mean The Architect has run out of chances? Finally, after defeating Roman Reigns is this officially Bobby Lashley’s yard?

Raw comes to us tonight from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and The Coach

In Ring Segment: Kurt Angle
Angle starts by thanking the Raw superstars who competed last night. He says their effort and dedication make him proud to be the general manager. He then brings up Brock Lesnar and tells how he can show you tonight, agree to a match, or be stripped. He says he hasn’t heard from Brock and therefore he’s stripping him of the title. Out comes Paul Heyman.
Angle tells him everyone knows who you are and if Brock doesn’t come out he’s stripping him. Heyman says his client is not here. Angle says this leaves him no choice then. Heyman tells him to hang on and says everyone has it all wrong. Heyman tells that Brock wants to become the UFC champion while representing the WWE as the Universal Champion. He then brings up how Angle challenged for all the WWE titles with the Olympic gold medals around his neck. Angle says Brock will defend at Summerslam or he is no longer champion. Heyman assures Angle that he has forced their hand and Brock will defend at Summerslam. Heyman then says the WWE Universe has been heard from which is why he congratulates everyone for making their voices heard. He then tells Angle he must now decide who will be beaten, victimized, and conquered by Brock Lesnar. Outcomes Bobby Lashley.
Lashley tells that when he came back he had two goals, he beat Roman Reigns and now it’s time to accomplish the other which is beat Brock Lesnar and win the Universal Title. Outcomes Drew McIntyre. McIntyre asks why they think he came back to the WWE. He tells he came back for change and now is the time. Outcomes Seth Rollins. Rollins tells Angle if he’s looking for an opponent for Lesnar he’s right here. Outcomes Elias. Elias says nothing sounds nicer than Elias as Universal Champion. He then tells how July 23rd his debut album drops so it only makes sense to ride that success right into Summerslam and put Elias against Brock Lesnar. Outcomes Finn Balor. Balor says since he was the first Universal Champion so it makes sense for him to be the one to face Brock Lesnar. Finally, here comes Roman Reigns. Reigns tells Angle he’s not out here to make excuses or talk about Brock cause he doesn’t care about him he just wants a fight. Angle announces that tonight there will be two triple threat matches and the winner of those will face each other next week with the winner facing Brock Lesnar. In the main event, it will be Seth Rollins versus Elias versus Bobby Lashley. Right now it will be Roman Reigns versus Finn Balor versus Drew Mcintyre.
My Opinion:
This was a great way to start the show, finally, we will see Brock back defending the Universal Championship. It’s been so long and it’s about time someone has the opportunity at the title. All 6 men are deserving but hopefully whoever wins it will be someone who can take the title. As much as I like Brock it’s time for someone who is here week in and week out to have the title and bring it to the prestige it deserves.

Backstage Segment:
Baron Corbin asks Angle what he thinks he’s doing. Corbin tells Angle the problem is he doesn’t think. He asks why he wasn’t put in one of the matches. Angle says he didn’t think he deserved it. Corbin then questions this and asks why Balor is in the match. Angle then reminds him Balor beat him last night.

Match 1: Roman Reigns vs Drew Mcintyre vs Finn Balor
Mcintyre goes after Balor but Reigns quickly gets him in the corner. Balor then hits him with big elbows. Reigns hits Mcintyre with a huge shot and Balor then tries to steal a victory but Reigns kicks out. Mcintyre gets back in control taking it to Reigns and then Balor. Mcintyre grabs Balor but Balor fights back and lands a dropkick. Reigns then sends Mcintyre to the floor. Balor then sends Reigns to the floor and then flies to take out both men. Mcintyre comes back driving Balor into the turnbuckle. He then lays out Reigns and goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Mcintyre bounces Reigns off of the turnbuckle but Balor then goes after him. Mcintyre quickly is able to take down Balor and then continues the attack on Reigns. Mcintyre tries another cover but Reigns kicks out. Mcintyre continues to take it to Balor and then tries a cover again but Reigns still won’t stay down. Balor is then sent to the floor. Mcintyre lands a huge neck breaker but it’s still not enough to keep Reigns down as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre hammers on Reigns in the corner. Mcintyre then goes to the outside and slams Balor on the apron. Mcintyre brings him in the ring and stomps on both men. Balor waits and takes it to Reigns. Reigns quickly comes back and hits Balor with a big shot to the head. Balor is able to avoid the drive by and is able to hit a stomp. Mcintyre flies over the ropes and takes out Reigns. Balor drives Mcintyre into the steps. He then is able to hit a stomp on Reigns but he kicks out of the cover. Balor is backed into the corner by Reigns but then is able to sidestep him and hit him with a big boot. Mcintyre grabs a chair and knocks Balor off the top turnbuckle. Reigns evades the chair shot and unloads on Mcintyre. Mcintyre is able to reverse him and Reigns goes into the ring post. Mcintyre tries a cover but Reigns kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Reigns hits Mcintyre with big clotheslines in the corner. Reigns then hits a huge boot. Mcintyre is able to grab Reigns and hits a spinebuster. Reigns though kicks out of the pin attempt. Mcintyre grabs Reigns but Balor hits him with a chair shot. He then unloads on Reigns with the chair. Balor then drives Mcintyre into the barricade. Reigns comes to the outside and hits Mcintyre with a huge spear. Balor then hits Reigns with a sling blade. Inside the ring, Balor hits another one but Reigns then comes back with a Superman Punch. Reigns goes for the cover but gets a near fall. Reigns tries a spear but is hit with a boot. Balor hits the Coupe de Grace but Mcintyre breaks up the cover. Balor is then sent into the steeps on the outside. Mcintyre then looks for the Claymore but Reigns hits him with the Superman Punch. He then is able to connect with one on Balor. Mcintyre catches Reigns. Mcintyre then takes out Balor. Reigns is able to take out Mcintyre and then hits Balor with the spear. Reigns goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Roman Reigns: Will be in the #1 Contender’s Match Next Week
My Opinion:
All three men truly deserved the win in this match. I loved how hard-hitting this was and I was very impressed with the dominance of Drew Mcintyre. He’s really come into his own and I could see him being a champion someday. Balor impressed me as well with the aggression he had but it’s no surprise Reigns pulled out the victory. Reigns might not win all the time but you know when there’s a shot for the title on the line he’s gonna come through.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley tells Angle that the friendship counseling didn’t go well. She says she doesn’t think her and Sasha will be together again. Angle tells her that she and Sasha will team up again tonight against Alicia Fox and Dana Brooke. Angle tells her if they can’t get along one of them is gonna get traded to SmackDown.

In Ring Segment: Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler says last night all he did was everything he said he was gonna do. He says he is Iron Man and still the Intercontinental Champion. He says something special happened last night the Intercontinental Championship main evented a PPV for the first time in 17 years and that wasn’t because of Seth Rollins. He says he respects everything Rollins did to make the title what it is today but he’s no Dolph Ziggler. He reminds that he beat Rollins five times. Outcomes Bobby Roode.
Roode tells Ziggler if it wasn’t for Drew he wouldn’t be out here bragging right now. Ziggler asks him how it felt to watch from the sidelines. He says the sidelines suck and that’s why he’s out here right now to challenge him. Ziggler tells him if he wants a match he can do it right now.
My Opinion:
I’ve wanted to see Bobby Roode be in the title picture for a long time so I was happy he came out. I really think he could be a good rivalry for Ziggler and they can continue to keep the IC championship in high regards. Ziggler has done well as champion and he definitely can continue to be a fighting champion, plus he’s awesome on the mic so it really helps see all he’s trying to do.

Match 2: Dolph Ziggler vs Bobby Roode
Roode goes right after him but as he goes for the Glorious DDT Ziggler reverse and works the arm of Roode. Roode throws him off of the ropes but is hit with a shoulder tackle. Roode is able to get back into it and works a side headlock on the mat. Ziggler works to his feet and lands a big kick in the corner. Ziggler then goes to a headlock of his own. Roode is able to fight out and reverses into a headlock of his own. He then drops Ziggler with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler is then sent to the floor and Roode goes after him. Roode bounces him off the barricade and then throws him back in the ring. Ziggler comes back with a huge dropkick. Ziggler tries a cover but Roode kicks out. Ziggler then goes to a chin lock. Roode hits him with big rights but Ziggler allows him to gain no advantage. Roode continues to try to fight and is able to hit an exploding clothesline out of the corner. Ziggler bounces Roode off of the turnbuckle as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ziggler has Roode in a rear chin lock on the mat. Roode gets to a vertical base and is able to fight out. Roode lands a big boot and then is able to send Ziggler into the corner. Ziggler is able to lock in a sleeper hold but Roode fights out. Ziggler lands a big kick but Roode stays with it and lands a big slam. Roode lands a big splash and is able to hit a blockbuster after a big boot. Roode looks for the Glorious DDT but Ziggler counters into a pin. Roode is able to kick out and then the two trade more covers. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag but Roode kicks out of the cover at 2. Ziggler tries a superkick but Roode blocks. Roode hits a spinebuster but can’t get the three on the cover. Ziggler tries another Zig Zag but can’t connect. Roode hurts his knee off of the ropes. Ziggler lands a superkick and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
My Opinion:
Roode really put on a good performance but Ziggler is on a role as of late. You could see how calm Ziggler was and knew he just needed the right time to strike. It felt like Roode may have been trying to do too much and was more worried about the win rather than controlling the pace. I hope Roode and can come into his own and if give the opportunity again he’ll slow down and really work Ziggler.

Backstage Segment:
Lashley says the beast fears no man but the beast has fought no man like him. He says he has the skills and ability to slay the beast and he will at Summerslam and become the Universal Champion.

Backstage Segment:
Mojo comes up to Bobby Roode and says and you’re supposed to be Glorious.

Match 3: Mojo Rawley vs Tyler Breeze
Rawley lifts Breeze and drives him into the corner burying his shoulder into him. Rawley is sent out of the ring but is able to avoid Breeze and hits him with a huge shoulder tackle. Rawley tries a cover but Breeze kicks out. Rawley works Breeze on the mat and then tries another cover but Breeze kicks out. Rawley goes back to a half nelson. Breeze tries a cover after reversing Rawley but can’t et the three. Rawley is sent to the to the outside but he comes back in hot and lands a huge splash. Rawley and hits a huge shoulder tackle. He then hits Breeze with a big right hand and then slams him. Rawley goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Mojo Rawley
My Opinion:
Rawley wins another match but again it’s not against the tier talent. Rawley is proving he has all the tools but definitely needs to be tested more before anyone will think he’s arrived. His power though is so impressive and he’s making an impact. I think if done right Rawley can become a huge star but it’s all gonna depend on who he continues to face from here on out. If Rawley is someone who they see as an up and comer eventually he will need a special match where he pulls off a huge victory and gives him the credibility to stand and challenge for titles down the line.

Match 4: Bayley & Sasha Banks vs Dana Brooke & Alicia Fox
Bayley and Fox start the match. Bayley is backed to the corner and hit with a big shot. Bayley is able to hit a roll through but can’t get the three on the cover. Fox gets back on the offensive and tags Brooke. Brooke lands a big elbow but misses on the second attempt. Bayley comes back with big right hands and then takes her down and unloads. Bayley lands a series of clotheslines and then takes out Fox. Brooke comes back with a big clothesline. Bayley is sent to the outside and Fox goes after her. Banks pulls her off and grabs her hair. Banks then takes out Brooke. She then takes out both women with a double crossbody.
Winners: No Decision: Both teams counted out
My Opinion:
It was nice to see Sasha come to the aid of Bayley tonight. I think like Cole said Sasha didn’t want to see anyone else beating up on Bayley. They truly can be such a good team together but it’s a shame to see where their relationship has gone. Hopefully, this will lead to either them mending it or we will finally get the Bayley and Sasha match we’ve all been waiting for.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley asks Sasha what that was all about. Sasha says it’s one thing if she beats her up but she won’t let anyone else do it. Bayley says that means she cares. Sasha says of course she cares. She tells Bayley that she loves her and always will.

Backstage Segment:
Renee asks Braun if he has any regrets about last night. Braun says he regrets he didn’t have a chance to congratulate Owens on his victory. She then asks why he didn’t step up to face Lesnar. Braun says he has the Money In The Bank so he has a shot anytime anyplace.

Match 5: The B Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas) vs The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
As Raw returns, Konnor takes it to Axel. Axel lands a big kick in the corner and is able to send him into the ring post. Dallas gets the tag and unloads on Konor. After Axel gets the tag he drops Konor with a big DDT. Dallas and Viktor both get the tags and Viktor takes it to him. Viktor lands a huge uppercut and then hits a huge knee. Axel then has to save the match. Axel sends Konor to the floor. Axel gets the tag and they double team Viktor. Axel goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
***Hardy and Wyatt come on the titantron. Wyatt tells them to enjoy their title reign but it won’t last. Hardy tells them they must pay. Wyatt says next week they will get a rematch and take back what is theirs. Hardy says they will be deleted forever.
Winners: The B Team (Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas)
My Opinion:
The B Team continues to be on a role. I’m surprised they are the tag champs but they’re doing so well as a team that I’m glad their momentum wasn’t stopped. Tonight wasn’t the biggest win they’ve had but the more wins they get the more seriously they will be taken. It’ll be interesting to see if they retain the titles next week. I think it’ll be their biggest test so far as I feel Hardy and Wyatt underestimated them before. Now that they know what they’re capable of I see Hardy and Wyatt coming harder than ever and I don’t know if the B Team will be ready for it.

In Ring Segment: Alexa Bliss
Bliss tells how she left Extreme Rules still the Raw Women’s Champion. She says everyone thought she would lose but they were wrong. She says she wrote the final chapter in the Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax story. Alexa says she has dominated this entire division cause her strongest muscle is her brain. She says outsmarting Nia Jax wasn’t that hard. She says now she can says she has beaten every woman in that entire locker room. She says Ronda Rousey doesn’t count because she is suspended and after last night she should be suspended indefinitely. Here comes Rousey from the crowd!
Rousey chances them and grabs Mickie slamming her to the mat. Alexa and referees have to drag Mickie out of the ring. Rousey then goes after them on the stage. She grabs Alexa and brings her in the ring. She flips her and tries an armbar but Kurt Angle stops it. Angle tells her she needs to calm down and go home and wait out her suspension. Corbin comes out and tells him to put his foot down and do his job. Angle says he will have to tack on another week to her suspension. Corbin says Stephanie will not be happy about this. Angle tells Rousey when her suspension is up she will have a match with Bliss as long as she pulls no more stunts. Angle tells her she will face Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship at Summerslam.
My Opinion:
I was so glad to see Ronda come out tonight. I truly think they’re booking her in the right ways and it’s making her everything the fans hoped she would be. She’s totally deserving of a title shot and I really think she can win the belt at Summerslam. I love how involved Ronda has been and she’s proving to everyone she loves this and is taking it seriously.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks how confident Rollins is tonight. Rollins says tonight is his night and next Monday will be his night and Summerslam will be his night. He says if his road to Summerslam goes through Reigns then he has to do what he has to do but says thinks Reigns would say the same about him.

Match 6: Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) vs Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews)
Akam and Crews start the match and Akam gets an early advantage. Akam then hits Titus with a knee and drives him into the ring post. Akam then runs him over on the outside. Crews tries an enziguri and then a drop kick but is has not much effect. Rezar comes in and hits a full nelson slam. Rezar takes it to Crews and then tags Akam. Akam hits a huge boot and then tags Rezar. They then double team Crews. Akam gets the tag and they hit the Last Chapter. Akam goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar)
My Opinion:
Another big win for AOP. They are so dominant as a team and I see them as champs sometime soon. They can do so much in the ring and I really wanna see them have that special match so everyone can see what they’re capable of. They seem like they have the respect of the fans and this is a team they can run with.

Match 7: Ember Moon vs Sarah Logan w/ Liv Morgan
Logan and Moon lock up and Moon quickly is able to escape her. Logan slams Moon and then wrestles her to the mat. Moon reverses and works the neck of Logan. Moon continues to try to wrestle Logan but she powers out with a huge elbow. Moon goes to the second rope and Logan knocks her to the floor. Logan tries a cover but can’t get the three. Logan then unloads on Moon. Morgan takes a cheap shot on Moon and Logan tries a cover but gets another near fall. Logan tries a suplex but Moon reverses into a cover but gets a near fall. Logan fights back and tries a cover of her own but still can’t keep her down. Logan keeps Moon grounded on the mat but Moon turns it into a cover. Logan is able to kick and out and stays locked on Moon. Logan tries a back body drop but Moon escapes and lands a huge right hand. Moon takes down Logan and then hits her with huge knee strikes to the midsection. Moon takes out Morgan on the apron and Logan tries to take advantage but Moon stays on her. Moon then sends Logan to the outside. Moon flies and hits a suicide dive taking her out. Moon tries a cover but still can’t get the three. Moon goes to the top but gets distracted by Morgan. Logan knocks her down and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Sarah Logan
My Opinion:
Wow, what a win for Logan tonight. She really hung in there with Ember and never allowed her to gain too much momentum. Even tho Liv helped her it still was a big victory. Liv and Sarah both have been proving they can stand on their own and with how they’ve been doing I think Ruby Riott couldn’t be happier.

Match 8: Bobby Lashley vs Seth Rollins vs Elias
Before the match officially starts Elias takes out Rollins from behind. As the match begins Elias again goes after Rollins. Lashley then grabs Elias and hammers on him. Elias has to roll to the outside but is then taken out by Rollins. Rollins and Lashley square off and Rollins is able to get Lashley to the mat locking in a headlock. Lashley works to his feet and takes down Rollins with a tackle. Lashley then goes to a headlock of his own. Rollins comes back with a huge dropkick and then hits Lashley with a big chop. Lashley is able to send Rollins on the apron and then hits him with a big boot. Elias comes back in and hits Lashley with a huge knee. Elias takes it to Rollins and is in control as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias works the arm of Rollins. Lashley fights back in and hits Elias with big rights. Lashley throws Elias and then does the same to Rollins. Lashley drives his shoulder into Elias but Rollins stops the suplex. Lashley comes back with a big slam on Rollins and then plants Elias. Elias is able to send Lashley off the ring post and then shrugs off Rollins as he flies through the ropes. Elias hits an elbow but it doesn’t get him the win. Rollins hits a frog splash and then is taken out by Elias. Elias tries to cover Lashley but still can’t get the win. Elias hammers on Rollins and then lifts him. Rollins fights out and then hits a big boot. Rollins tries a cover after the blockbuster but Elias won’t stay down. Elias and Rollins fight on the ropes and Elias gets the advantage and dumps Rollins on the maps. Lashley tires for a power slam but Rollins instead hits a buckle bomb. Rollins then hits the Falcon Arrow but Elias kicks out of the cover. Rollins then flies through the ropes taking out Elias and then doing the same to Lashley. Rollins hits the stomp but Lashley breaks up the cover. Lashley and Rollins trade rights and Lashley gets the best of him with a huge clothesline. Lashley then hits a huge vertical suplex. Lashley tries spear but Rollins moves. Elias moves Rollins out of the ring and to the floor. Lashley fights him off and hits the spear on him. Lashley pins Elias and gets the victory!
Winner: Bobby Lashley:
Will face Roman Reigns next week in the #1 Contender’s match for the Universal Championship
My Opinion:
I’m glad Lashley won this match as he was the most deserving. Lashley and Reigns are gonna have a true battle next week and there’s no telling what could happen. Lashley showed his power tonight and also he’s on a role so if he can beat Roman next week I could definitely see him taking the Universal Championship. If he can’t beat Reigns it’ll show he’s in a spot where he’s almost there but just not yet. Right now I feel is the best time to act on him.

Final Thoughts:
This was pretty good Raw, I really liked how it started off as it was a breath of fresh air to see the Universal title back in importance. I’m glad Brock Lesnar is gonna finally defend as I’ve been waiting for someone to have the chance to finally get the title back on Raw. I was very happy seeing Ronda Rousey tonight, she truly is coming into her own and I have no doubt she’ll be champion very very soon. We saw some victories tonight from Sarah Logan, AOP, and Mojo Rawley. It’s been nice to see more talent getting more opportunities as of late as it adds much more excitement to Raw. by the end of the night, we also had big things to look forward too. First, with Wyatt and Hardy challenging for the Raw tag team championships next week I really think they have a chance to win them back. They seemed to have underestimated the B Team but I see them being much more focused and they’ll be the toughest challenge for the B Team since they’ve started. Finally, I can’t wait to see Lashley and Reigns go at it again. I really enjoyed the match at Extreme Rules and now with so much on the line next week I feel like they will tear the house down.
Overall Rating: 7 /10