RAW Review 07/25/2016

Hello Misfits, it’s The Wrestling Classic here with this weeks Raw Review. This weeks Raw was the brands reboot following the brand extension. There was a new logo, new stage set up. a new intro video, a new ring, new camera angles, new stars,  a new placement of the announcers table and new everything. This was a Monday Night Raw in a New Era. I knew right off the bat, this was going to be a historic episode of Monday Night Raw.

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WWE Raw comes to you live on the USA Network from the Consol Energy Centre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In Canada however we’re watching it live on Sportsnet.

Raw opens up with a video package recapping the events of Battleground followed by a brand new opening video with a new theme song playing. It’s followed immediately by going to Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves in their new broadcast position near the entrance ramp, reminiscent to classic WWF, Nitro and Raw during the Ruthless Aggression era. There is also a new set for Raw which definitely resembled previous Summerslam sets. The new logo is prominent everywhere and I really dig it. Its like a modern twist on the classic Raw logo from the mid 90s. It’s simple yet significant and I dig it.

1. Stephanie McMahon & Mick Foley address the Raw Roster
Raw kicks off with Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley in the ring, welcoming everyone to the New Era of Monday Night Raw. The invite the entire Raw locker room to come out to the stage and join them as they make a few announcements. They discuss not having a World Title on their show since Ambrose won the Shield triple threat at Battleground. Stephanie puts all the blame onto Roman Reigns. Due to them not having a World Title they’re going to create their own. Foley points out that the fans of the WWE are known as the WWE Universe, therefore in honour of the fans, the new World Title will be named the Universal Championship. Seth Rollins automatically qualifies to be in the match at Summerslam to crown the new champion. However, Rollins opponent will be decided tonight through a series of matches. There will be two fatal four way matches featuring Roman Reigns, Sheamus, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho, Rusev and Finn Balor. The winners of the two fatal four way matches will meet in the main event tonight and the winner will face Rollins at Summerslam for the Universal Title. Foley also announces that tonight Charlotte will defend her Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks tonight.
My Thoughts:
I’m still in awe of all the new look and everything. It really feels like fresh new vibe to Raw. It’s clearly evident that the Raw roster is stacked. I still stand behind my thoughts that Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Neville or Sami Zayn should be on Smackdown. This segment really set up the entire show, so you knew the format the show was going to follow for the rest of the night. The addition of Finn Balor on the roster was going to be felt right away as he’s involved in the chase for this new championship which was pretty cool. I absolutely dislike the name of the championship. The Universal Champion? It sounds cheesy and not something I’d want to bring up to a friend who doesn’t watch wrestling all the time. “Hey, we need to watch Summerslam its Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship”. It just sounds weird compared to the WWE Title, World Title or the Heavyweight Title. It makes it seem like Raw is some show that takes place in some galaxy from far, far away. I swear if the belt has any other planets on it other than Earth, I’ll never take it seriously. Anyway, the other big announcement was that the Women’s title was on the line in a match between Sasha and Charlotte, and I couldn’t be more excited for that.

2. Fatal Four Way #1
Finn Balor def. Rusev, Cesaro & Kevin Owens
This was a PPV quality match and all four men made it look like winning this match was super important due to the opportunity. This was also a great first showing, main roster debut match for Finn Balor. Balor had great chemistry with Cesaro and Rusev. He also had great chemistry with Owen’s, who he did feud with on NXT prior to Owen’s leaving NXT for the main roster for good. The finish of the match was when Cesaro goes low and swings Rusev before locking in the sharpshooter. Owens gets back in the ring and superkicks Cesaro. Owens cannonballs Rusev in the corner. Bálor appears out of nowhere and dropkicks Owens into Rusev. Sling blade by Bálor to Owens. Bálor dropkicks Rusev and hits the coup de grâce on him for the win.
My Thoughts:
This was a PPV quality match and a really good match to kick off the action on this New Era of Raw. It showcased four of Raw’s most talented and popular stars. It was also Balor’s main roster debut and Raw debut, so it will also always be special because of that. For fans who havent seen his work before he was signed to the WWE or don’t watch NXT, this was really treat. It gave the fans a taste of why Balor is considered one of the best wrestlers in the world today. I like how Rusev took the pin because as US Champion, he had the least to lose. Cesaro and Owens need to look strong, even though I don’t know where they go forward storyline wise next week on Raw. It really bothers me that Cesaro had to lose this match. I just know he would have been much more of a big deal on Smackdown. The same goes for Owens.

3. Nia Jax def. Britt Baker
In another debut for a NXT star on the main roster, we get Nia Jax making her debut. Jax makes quick work of the development talent.ax tossed Baker across the ring. Jax whips Baker into the corner and flattens her. Jax puts Baker in the tree of woe and crushes her in the corner. Jax leg drops Baker but before the three is counted she picks up Bakers shoulder. Jax head-butts Baker and leg drops her again for the win.
My Thoughts:
This match served its purpose and made Nix look like a monster. I really like the idea of them using local and development talent rather than throwing Alicia Fox or Paige at Jax to squash. I feel like if they continue with this until after Summerslam, it’ll immediately set Jax up to go after the Women’s Champion. I would love Jax to beat a male local talent to show her strength. Bring Ellsworth back for one more match.

4. Interview with Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks is backstage stretching with Golden Truth near by. Banks thinks they’re trying to take pictures of her but they’re actually playing Pokemon Go. They end up taking off to catch more Pokemon and Tom Phillips comes up to interview Sasha. Sasha says tonight that the Boss is taking the Womens Title and that Raw is going to get a lot more lit.
My Thoughts:
I’m a Sasha Banks guy. Therefore, I enjoy any segment involving Sasha Banks. I like how they’re building this Women’s title match with a big match feel. Raw is really focusing on making the Women’s division feel very important, finally.

5. Fatal Four Way #2
Roman Reigns def. Chris Jericho, Sheamus & Sami Zayn
In the second Fatal Four way of the night, we get Raw showcasing four most talented and popular stars. This match was another match full of chaos and excitement. The winner of this match will face Finn Balor in the main event. Roman’s dive over the top rope onto his opponents looked great tonight. The finish came whenJericho goes for the code breaker, but Reigns catches him and Superman punches him. Reigns calls for the Spear, but Jericho kicks him in the head and hits the code breaker. Reigns kicks out at two. Jericho charges Reigns, but Reigns spears him for the win.
My Thoughts:
It was really predictable that the main event was most likely going to Finn Balor vs. Roman Reigns. I was hoping they would go with something unpredictable but Roman impressed me a lot during this match that I was actually rooting for him by the end of the match. There is something about Roman since he’s returned thats has me liking him bit more. It’s possibly because since Money in the Bank, it felt like the Roman Reigns mega push ended and he kind of seems like a tweener on the verge of turning heel soon, right now. Imagine the night ended with Reigns losing his shit. In the same fashion as the first fatal four way, the fate of the other competitors right now in unknown but I am curious to see how they get utilized next week, when they’re isn’t a series of matches trying to set up a contender for the Universal Championship.

6. The New Day Celebration
The New Day comes out next to celebrate their historic reign as tag team champions and the release of actual Booty-O’s breakfast cereal. They also mention how even though they lost the night before, they no longer have to worry about Bray Wyatt because he got drafted on Smackdown.Kofi Kingston plugs the fact that Booty O’s is a real cereal now. Woods calls for a video package to be played to commemorate the fact that they have been the WWE tag team champs for over 300 days. Wood’s states that in honour of their big moment they were going to pick a crowd member to be the honorary member of the New Day. They pick a dude who’s name is Sonny Boy. The fan’s name is a running gag until Anderson and Gallows comes out and attacks The New Day.
My Thoughts:
The New Day act is still the most popular in the WWE clearly, and the fact that their cereal is a real thing is mind blowing. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t curious what it tastes like. Gallows and Anderson come out like the Outsiders again attacking The New Day, and making themselves the next contenders for the tag titles. Personally, I want Gallows and Anderson to be the team to dethrone the New Day of their Tag Team title reign. I enjoyed this segment.

7. Neville def. Curtis Axel
Curtis Axel was introduced as “Mr. Irrelevant” and he cuts a promo on that. Axel is cut off by Neville’s entrance music and Neville makes his return.Axel tries to kick Neville in the gut, but Neville takes him over with a hurricanrana. Axel hits a dropkick for a two count. Neville kicks Axel in the gut. Neville deadlift suplexes Axel followed by a back suplex by Neville. Neville then hits the Red Arrow for the win.
My Thoughts:
It is so great to see Neville back. He’s another star that I wouldn’t have minded seeing on Smackdown but I feel like they are planning to use Neville as major player in their future Cruiserweight Division. Neville is just an artist in the ring and blast to watch. I don’t know why they’re doing Axel dirty. I know this “Mr. Irrelevant” term is some sort of sports term, for the last picked draft pick, but it’s just unnecessary. Let’s make Axel relevant again.

8. Women’s Title Match
Sasha Banks def. Charlotte (C) w/ Dana Brooke
Charlotte cut a quick promo backstage before this match, claiming that Sasha Banks could not and would not beat her. Sasha came out right after the promo and you could just tell he was trying contain her emotions even before the match began. Charlotte followed with her game face on. This match was highly anticipated and the crowd was hot for it. Dana Brooke got tossed from ringside when she tried to get involved and Sasha played an Eddie Guerrero style fake out for the ref to make it seem like Dana hit Sasha with belt. Charlotte executed two beautiful moonsaults during this match. Sasha took a dive to the outside of the ring on to Charlotte, where the landing wasn’t pretty. The finish came when Charlotte hits a big boot followed by natural selection. Banks grabs the bottom rope when Charlotte goes to pin her for the victory. Charlotte locks in the figure eight, but Banks gets to the rope. Charlotte refuses to let go, but ends up falling to the outside. Charlotte gets back in the ring and tries to lock in the figure eight again but Banks kicks her off. Banks reverses into the Banks statement, but Charlotte gets to the ropes. Charlotte tells Banks she will never beat her. Banks gets Charlotte with the back stabber again and locks in the Banks Statement! Charlotte has no choice but to tap out. Sasha Banks is your NEW WOMENS CHAMPION!!
Following the match Byron is in the ring to interview Sasha about her victory and she talks about how this was her dream since she was 10 years old. Sasha goes on saying she told everyone that she is the best and now that she’s holding the Women’s Title that it proves that she is the best. Sasha Banks states that this is a New Era, a new era of the Boss and a new era of Women’s Wrestling and each and every week she’s going to continue proving everyone wrong.
My Thoughts:
If this was any other episode of Raw, and there wasn’t series of matches to name a second number one contender for the Universal Title, this match could have been the main event of Raw. The crowd fucking popped and I was marking out like a mother fucker. I got home from work mid way through this match, THANK GOD. I would have been devastated if I missed this live. It was such an amazing moment for Sasha Banks who truly deserved this moment and a huge moment for Women’s Wrestling overall. It was even more of a great moment because anyone who has followed Sasha Banks career knows how passionate she is about wrestling and how this was her childhood dream. Loving this business my entire life made it really relatable. The match was great for the time they were given on Raw, which was more than usual. Charlotte’s reign as champion brought meaning back to the Divas/Women’s title as she knows and gets this business. Charlotte was such a dominant champion that it was a given whoever defeated her would be portrayed as hero. If Charlotte wasn’t such a great heel, the moment wouldn’t have felt as great as it did and Sasha wouldn’t have seemed like hero she portrayed by defeating Charlotte. The promo after the match legit gave me chills, because you could just feel Sasha’s emotions through the television screen. It was 100% real. This is one of those matches that will make you come back to this Raw to watch it again. I can easily argue that they should have saved this moment for Summerslam, but they wanted to make this episode of Raw particularly to be memorable and this moment did that. If there is ever a Sasha Banks, Charlotte or Four Horsewomen DVD compilation released, this match definitely makes the cut. The tribute to Eddie, the beautiful moonsaults, the scary suicide dive and just the amazing chemistry between the two were all just highlights from this match. I could talk about this match, moment and how excited  I was for another two paragraphs, so I am going to stop here.

9. Braun Strowman def. James Elsworth
Braun coms out with a new look and crushes a local wrestler. The local wrestler was interviewed during Braun’s entrance. He claimed that he was excited to be wrestling at Raw but didnt know it was against a guy like Strowman but he was still going to bring the fight. Strowman squashes him.
My Thoughts:
Braun’s new look was cool. However, Braun wasn’t even the star in this match because James Elworth was more over with wrestling fans worldwide following this match. Once again, I like the choice of using local jobbers rather than Bo Dallas getting squashed by Strowman.

10. Enzo & Big Cass def. The Shining Stars
Enzo and Cass came out and cut a promo about how they “like it raw”. They were interrupted by The Shining Stars and it lead to a match. The finish comes when Primo gets back in the ring and dumps Cass over the top rope. R-Truth appears out of nowhere and stumbles into the ring as he is playing Pokémon Go. Primo is distracted long enough for Cass to big boot him in the face for the win.
My Thoughts:
Enzo and Cass need to be doing something more important than facing the Shining Stars. I don’t know what but I don’t want them to lose their steam after coming off of teaming with Cena against The Club. I don’t know what the hell Golden Truth playing Pokemon Go had to with this match, but whatever. The segments following the Women’s Title match were clearly filler matches and really shows you that Raw needs to be 2 hours again. Hopefully the Cruiserweight Division helps fills these bleh minutes with solid wrestling.

11. Roman Reigns & Finn Balor
Backstage Reigns is on his way to the ring. Bálor walks up to him and says good luck. Reigns says good luck as well. Bálor tells Reigns he “doesn’t need luck because he is Irish”. Reigns tells Bálor that “he is Samoan. ‘Nuff said…” and walks away.
My Thoughts:
These were Finn Balor’s first words on Raw. I guess this was supposed to get us hyped for the upcoming match. I don’t know.

12. Finn Balor def. Roman Reigns
In the main event of this New Era of Raw we have Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor fighting for the spot to face Seth Rollins at Summerslam to crown the first Universal Champion. Reigns is still getting a ton of heat from the crowd and Balor isn’t getting a crazy response yet because I believe a lot of the casual fans are still getting used to him. The match was super back and forth. The competitive bout came to the finish when Bálor lands the sling blade and he goes to the corner. Balor goes for the diving dropkick but Reigns comes back with a Superman Punch before he can hit it. Bálor kicks out at two when Reigns goes for the win. Reigns tries to power bomb Bálor, but Bálor reverses it into a sunset flip pin but Reigns kicks out. Reigns picks up Bálor and double power bombs him for another two count. Reigns calls for the spear but Bálor reverses it into the sling blade. Bálor hits the running dropkick to Reigns in the corner.  Bálor goes up to the top rope and hits the coup de grâce for the win!
Following the match Roman is interviewed as he’s heading to the back and he says he respects Balor. Reigns goings on saying he hopes Balor beats Rollins, because he wants Finn back in the ring again.
My Thoughts:
This match was fast paced, hard hitting and entertaining as hell. This one episode of Raw showcased Balor’s abilities to the casual fans who may not have ever seen him before and they showcased it very well. Balor was the star of this episode of Raw when it comes to the male division. It is shocking that Reigns got pinned clean two nights in a tow but it may his punishment for being suspended last month. Roman fans are pissed that nobody is complaining about how fast Balor is getting pushed because they complained when Roman was getting pushed so fast. I don’t think those fans realize the two different routes these guys took to make it to the WWE. Balor has wrestled all around the world and has years on Reigns when it comes to being an active professional wrestler. I don’t think Reign’s push is over but they’re certainly cooling off on him for a bit right now. PLEASE JUST TURN REIGNS HEEL. I’m also waiting for the first interaction between Balor, Gallows and Anderson.

Final Thoughts
This may have been the best Raw of the entire year thus far. Raw kicked off the New Era of their brand with a bang but I’m hoping they can continue with this momenteum the upcoming weeks. I fear they are releasing all their big moments too soon and it’s going to mess them up a couple of weeks from now. They gave us Balor’s debut, the whole buildup to the Championship match and a new Women’s Champion all in the first show. The high we’re on about the new look and vibe is going to ware off soon and they’re going to have to make sure the content of the show is still as great as tonights. I know they have the Cruiserweight Division in their back pocket, but I don’t think thats going to debut until after Summerslam. There is 3 more weeks until Summerslam. What are they going to do next week to top this? It’s like the whole theory of you don’t buy your girlfriend an amazing gift for her birthday because you’re just fucking yourself over when you can’t top it for Christmas. I hope they can keep this momentum going. I know they can, but the question is do they know how to? Hire me for creative please.
Anyway, this Raw is a must watch for everyone. If you missed it, I suggest you go watch it. If you don’t watch the current product but you’re intrigued, go watch this show and it might get you back into it. There were still parts of this show, where you could tell they were trying to find ways to fill time because 3 hours is too long even with their extra pick in the draft but the pros out weighed the cons. One thing that stood out on this show was that it was mainly focused on in ring action. The wrestling was the focus of this show and the wrestling is what made it great. Make sure you watch the series of matches for the spot in the Universal Championship match at Summerslam and make sure you watch the Women’s Championship match. Those two aspects of this show, made it one for the history books. It was truly a historic night, that reminded fans why Raw is considered the flagship show. There is no way Smackdown could have followed this, but I feel like Smackdown is planning more on a month by month basis, as Raw is living week by week. Only time will tell. Dig It?!
Oh yeah Corey Graves on the commentary team is fucking awesome. He’s not a heel commentator or a face commentator but he’s just Corey Graves, and Corey Graves speaks the truth and whatever he believes in. He also made Byron look like a fool a handful of times and makes Cole step up his game whether Cole even notices it or not. I’m glad Graves is on Raw.
Final TWC Rating – 9.5/10
Last Weeks RAW TWC Rating – 8/10