Raw Review 08/14/2017

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw as SummerSlam is this Sunday! Sasha Banks and Nia Jax will do battle as they compete for the #1 Contender’s spot for the Raw Women’s Championship, who will go on to face Alexa Bliss? After Seth Rollins coming to the rescue last week, does Dean Ambrose finally believe he has his back? Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor continue to play mind games with one another, who will get the upper hand heading into this Sunday? Also in store Tozawa will get his shot at the Cruiserweight Championship as he faces Neville, can he finally pull it off for himself and the Titus Brand? Lastly what will happen tonight as all four men in the Universal Championship match stand face to face with each other?

Raw is live tonight from the TD Garden in Boston, MA.

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

In Ring Segment: Dean Ambrose
Dean cuts the music and says he knows everyone is wondering what is going on between he and Seth Rollins. He says he is wondering the same thing and calls out Rollins for answers and out he comes.
Ambrose asks Rollins what he’s doing. Rollins is taking back and asks Ambrose what about what he is doing. Rollins says he knows Dean cares and knows that if they teamed up again they could run this place. Rollins tells Ambrose that if he is ready to put the past in the past he is done playing games and offers a fist bump. Ambrose says you gotta be kidding me and tells Rollins that he spat in his face last week. Rollins says he gets it and can’t even trust himself sometimes. He tells Ambrose that maybe this just doesn’t work, but says maybe it wasn’t and maybe it’s the differences that bring them together. Rollins tells Ambrose he is done playing games. Ambrose offers the fist bump this time, but Rollins tries to walk away. Ambrose grabs Rollins and the two go at it. Ambrose gets the better of him, but Rollins gets up and goes after him. The two fight to the floor and out comes the Tag Team Champions. Cesaro and Sheamus attack Ambrose and Rollins. Ambrose is sent into the crowd and Rollins is brought into the ring. Ambrose comes back in the ring and goes after Cesaro and Sheamus. The numbers catch up to Ambrose and he is manhandled by the champs. Rollins comes to and flies from the top rope. Ambrose and Rollins work together to fight off Cesaro and Sheamus. The two unite with a fist bump. Out comes Kurt Angle.
Angle announces that at SummerSlam Cesaro and Sheamus will defend their titles against Rollins and Ambrose
My Opinion:
What a great way to kick off Raw. Rollins and Ambrose getting a title shot?!? This is going to be amazing to see them back together. I think for both of them this is a great story line. Ambrose is back in the hearts of the Universe again and Rollins gets to be back on top again. I truly believe they should win this Sunday. Having them win brings the unpredictability back to the WWE. This is a Shield reunion and it’s way over so I hope they don’t ruin it.

Match 1: Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax:
#1 Contender’s Match
Sasha comes right at Nia with forearms. Nia doesn’t take to kindly and immediately runs over Sasha as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Nia fights off Sasha with a headbutt knocking her to the apron. Sasha knocks Nia to the floor and tries to fly, but is caught and thrown into the barricade. Nia brings her in the ring and goes for a cover, but Sasha kicks out. Nia locks in a bearhug, but Sasha continues to fight. Nia doesn’t allow for this and throws her into the turnbuckles. Nia continues her dominance and lands a huge leg drop, but only gets a two count. Nia locks in a chicken wing, but Sasha rolls throw and gets a two count on the pin. Sasha gets on the back of Nia and tries to wear her down. Nia is able to fight out and hit a Samoan drop, but again Sasha kicks out. Nia slams down Sasha and Sasha rolls out of the ring to buy herself time. Sasha comes back in the ring and tries to fight off Nia. She rolls her up, but Nia quickly is out. Nia misses on an elbow attempt and both women lay on the mat as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Nia and Sasha battle on the middle rope. Sasha hammers away on Nia and tries for a sunset flip, but can’t get it. Sasha is able to kick Nia off and hit double knees. Nia sits in the corner and here comes Sasha with rapid knee strikes. Sasha goes after her again and is hit with a big boot. Sasha locks in the Bank’s Statement, but Nia fights out. Sasha quickly brings her back down to the mat and locks it in again and Nia taps. Sasha will now face Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam.
Winner: Sasha Banks: New #1 Contender
My Opinion:
I truly love this choice. I think Alexa is awesome, but I think Sasha needs a run with the title. If Sasha got the title and could hold onto it for awhile then she could turn heel and face Bayley. Sasha needs this win more than Alexa. I think Alexa is loved and can find ways to stay relevant without the title. Sasha has proven that without going for the title she slowly faded away for awhile. It’s time now to bring The Boss back into the picture.

Backstage Segment:
Angle brings in The Hardy Boyz and talks about The Revival, but is interrupted by Miz. Miz questions Angle for his actions last week. Angle says he did nothing wrong and says Jordan will face Axle. A ref comes in and says there is a problem with Wyatt and Balor.

Backstage Segment:
Wyatt and Balor battle in the back. Angle comes in and tells them that SummerSlam is coming early and they are going to have their match tonight.

In Ring Segment: Elias
Elias plays in the ring and is interrupted by R-Truth. Elias goes right after Truth and lays him out. Elias grabs his guitar and leaves the ring.

In Ring Segment: Big Cass
Cass reiterates the match for this Sunday as he will take on Big Show. he tells the crowd that he is the man and when he talks it matters. Cass tells that Show is bringing Enzo this Sunday. Cass states that Enzo needs Show and is nothing without someone to have his back. Cass then questions Big Show and asks if Enzo is a plea to stay relevant. Cass pokes fun at the crowd for always laughing at Enzo. Cass says Show needs enzo because there is a new 7 footer on the block. He claims that Show knows he can’t beat him without Enzo and that’s what the shark cage is for. Cass states how Enzo can’t get involved and how he will beat Show piece by piece. Cass says he will prove that he is the best big man in the game today and all Enzo can do is sit there and watch. Out comes Enzo.
Enzo asks Cass if he’s alright and brings up how Cass has been knocked down two weeks in a row. Cass tells Enzo that he always runs his mouth and challenges him to step to the ring. Enzo asks if he’s still seeing stars and brings out the Big Show.
Show gets in the ring with Cass and Cass uses the cage as protection. Cass goes for Enzo and Show goes after Cass. out comes The Club. They try to take it to Show, but Show fights them off. Show is hit with a boot and is hit with a three on one assault. Cass and The Club slam Show’s hand in the door of the cage. The three go back to the attack and stomp away.
My Opinion:
I think Cass still needs a lot of work as a heel, but he is getting better. Tonight was the first night I really believed in what Cass was doing. I like him taking out Show with The Club because it continues to push his character as a heel. He got boo’s and got the upper hand. Cass did very well, but as I’ve said Enzo being around is preventing Cass from reaching that next level. They need to get him away and allow him to be on his own. This Sunday Cass needs to win.

Match 2: Akira Tozawa vs Neville:
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Neville backs Tozawa to the ropes, but Tozawa rolls him up. Neville is able to escape and locks Tozawa in a side headlock. Tozawa battles out , but Neville comes right back on him. Neville and Tozawa trade covers and face off with each other. Neville tries for a kick, but he’s caught and Neville is sent to the mat. Tozawa chops away, but Neville drops him with a kick. Neville is sent to the outside. Neville comes back in and is caught with a right. Neville rolls to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Neville lands a huge drop kick. He goes for the cover, but Tozawa kicks out. Neville locks the arm of Tozawa, but Tozawa fights out. Neville misses and is caught with a kick. Tozawa is able to come back and slam Neville. Neville slides to the outside and Tozawa hits him with a suicide dive. Tozawa goes for it again and hits it. Tozawa brings him in the ring and gets a two count. Neville bounces Tozawa off the ropes, but Tozawa holds on. Tozawa is able to land a big kick, but Neville gets to his feet and stops his offense. Neville lands a huge suplex from the top. Tozawa is able to get back on the offensive and plants Neville on the mat. Tozawa goes for the senton, but Neville gets back up. Tozawa catches Neville and goes for the pin, but Neville kicks out. Neville goes to the top after knocking Tozawa to the mat. Neville misses on the Red arrow. Tozawa gets back to his feet and is able to hit the senton bomb from the top. Tozawa gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Akira Tozawa:
New Cruiserweight Champion
My Opinion:
This is actually pretty awesome. Tozawa is an awesome wrestle and deserves this honor. The Cruiserweights haven’t been the most exciting as of late, but this is what they needed. Hey needed the fire lite under them and tonight all eyes were on them. I think this was so smart to be put on Raw, people had to watch it and they killed it. Plus now people will want to see the re-match.

Backstage Segment:
Show sits with the trainer and tells him to go away. Enzo tells Show that he didn’t know and tells him that he can forget about SummerSlam. Show tells Enzo that he’s going to have this match.

Backstage Segment:
Emma comes and complains to Mickie about last week. Emma tells how she started the Women’s Revolution and she has to sit and watch people get shots that she deserves.
Mickie tells her that she tapped last week, and that every women in WWE has had a part in the revolution. Mickie challenges her to match tonight and Emma accepts.

Match 3: Bray Wyatt vs Finn Balor
Balor catches Wyatt with kicks. Balor comes at him with knees and locks in a side headlock. Wyatt gets to the corner and stares him down. Balor is able to kick Wyatt in the face, but runs into a right hand. Balor is bounced off the ropes and taken down again by Wyatt. Balor gets to his feet and throws hands with Wyatt. Balor sends Wyatt to the outside and hits him with a drop kick. Balor connects with a kick and Wyatt falls to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Wyatt brings Balor to the mat. Wyatt wrenches on Balor’s neck as Balor fights to his feet. Wyatt hits Balor with a knee to the ribs as he gets to a vertical base. Balor fights back, but Wyatt again takes him to the mat with a clothesline. Balor tries to fight out of Wyatt’s headlock and finally creates space. Balor catches Wyatt with an overhead kick. Balor uses his speed to take Wyatt to the mat. Balor is caught with a boot, but Balor comes right back with a running kick. Wyatt launches himself into Balor as Balor comes off the ropes. Wyatt gets a two count on the cover. Balor comes back and hits a sling blade. Wyatt is able to sidestep Balor and hits a senton. Balor kicks out on the cover. Wyatt looks for sister Abigail, but Balor counters with the stomp. Wyatt rolls to the outside and Balor meets him with a kick into the barricade. Balor brings Wyatt into the ring and goes to the top rope. Wyatt meets him and knocks him down. Wyatt brings him back into the ring and hits sister Abigail to pick up the win.
*** After the match Wyatt hits Balor with another sister abigail. Wyatt then appears with a bucket and cover’s Balor with red acidic liquid.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
My Opinion:
Not a bad match, but I feel like they were missing something. I enjoyed the match, but I feel like there is more for them to do. Wyatt and Balor are both so unique that the rivalry is gonna take a couple matches and a lot of mind games to officially be done. Balor needs to come back and get one over on Wyatt. I think both have need something to fill their time and they’re the perfect rivalry. I’d think of having them face at SummerSlam and then maybe one more time the night after.

Match 4: Mickie James vs Emma
Emma is able to get a side headlock on Mickie. Mickie battles back with elbows and is able to take down Emma with clotheslines. Mickie comes off the ropes and hits a big kick. Mickie gets a two count on the cover and goes back to work. Mickie is able to take Emma back down to the mat. Mickie goes to the top, but is then knocked to the floor. Emma brings her in the ring and locks in a full nelson. Mickie battles back and rolls up Emma, but it is not enough. Emma comes back and stands on the hair of Mickie. Emma hits a suplex, but Mickie kicks out of the pin. Mickie is sent into the corner, but lands a big kick. Emma battles back and slams Mickie to the mat. Mickie doesn’t stay down long and lands a huge kick for the win.
Winner: Mickie James
My Opinion:
This wasn’t a bad match. I’m glad to see more of the women on Raw getting a chance again. I think Mickie and Emma are both great, but they’re not given enough time to be over. I think Raw needs to do what SmackDown does and get them all involved in some way. Overall though it was a good win for Mickie, even though the ending wasn’t smooth.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Finn what he was talking to Angle about. Balor says he has his re-match this Sunday and Wyatt is gonna find out he has his Demon’s too!

Match 5: The Miz vs Jason Jordan
Jordan quickly slams Miz. Jordan stays on Miz and doesn’t let him get away. Miz catches him with a cheap shot, but Jordan comes back with a drop kick and Miz goes to the outside. Jordan lifts Miz and slams him in the corner. Jordan hits a spear in the corner. The Miztourage comes in and attacks Jordan. Out comes The Hardy Boyz. They take out The Miztourage and make the save. Jordan lands a big suplex and The Miztourage retreats.
Winner: Jason Jordan via DQ
My Opinion:
Jordan is so impressive and even though this didn’t last long you can see how much potential he has. In just a few moves he proves he is an excellent wrestler and he can hang. I was worried about him being a singles competitor, but so far so good. I think if they keep a good pace going Jordan with be ready for big time matches soon. I personally would have loved to see him face Miz for the IC Championship this Sunday.

Match 6: Jason Jordan & The Hardy Boyz vs
The Miztourage (The Miz, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel)
As Raw returns Jeff takes it Axel. Matt gets the tag and continues to wear down Axel. Jordan gets the tag and works the arm of Axel. Axel battles back and stomps on Jordan. Jordan lands a huge dropkick and follows with a deep arm drag. Axel is able to get back on the offensive and hammers on the back of Jordan. In comes Dallas, but Jordan takes him down and Matt gets the tag. Matt works the arm of Dallas and tags Jeff. Jeff and Matt double team Dallas, but Jeff only gets a two count. Dallas sends Jeff into the corner, but Jeff comes right back. Jordan gets the tag and hits a fireman’s carry take down on Dallas. Jordan is backed to the ropes, and Dallas lands a knee. Miz tags in and Jordan doesn’t give him space. Jordan hammers away in the corner. The Miztourage helps in taking down Jordan as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns Axel continues to work on Jordan. Axel goes to the second rope and flies, but Jordan gets out of the way. Jordan looks for the tag and tags Matt. Matt bounces Axel off the turnbuckles and follows up with the running bulldog. Matt looks for the twist of fate, but can’t connect. Matt comes back, but Matt gets distracted and Miz gets the tag. Miz stomps on Matt and tags in Dallas. Dallas stomps away and gets a two count on the cover. Matt fights to his feet, but Dallas takes him back down. Axel comes in and hammers on Matt. Matt tries to fight out of the chin-lock, but is backed into the corner. Axel tries for a splash, but is side stepped. Matt takes out Axel and looks for the tag. Miz gets the tag and prevents Matt from making one. Jordan is taken down by a cheap shot and Miz is taken out by a clothesline. Jeff and Dallas gets the tags. Dallas is taken down and Jeff goes for the cover, but gets a two. Dallas is hit with a back elbow and then whisper in the wind. Jeff gets a two on the cover and goes to the top. Axel and Miz knock him off. Dallas hits a swinging neck breaker. Jordan breaks up the tag and takes out Miz and Axel. Jeff hits the twist of fate, but the cover is broken up by Axel. Jordan comes in and hits two suplexes. Matt hits the twist of fate and Jeff finishes with the swanton bomb.
Winners: Jason Jordan & The Hardy Boyz
My Opinion:
I really loved this match. Jordan was very impressive. I love his stamina and his intensity. Axel and Dallas both impressed me as well. They have really stepped up in this role. I think by putting Jordan with The Hardy Boyz it helps him so much. Jordan gets to learn from two of the best and it makes him look like he belongs. This was the perfect last match of the night.

In Ring Segment: Roman Reigns & Samoa Joe &
Braun Strowman & Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman
Angle tells that to protect the main event he has brought security to ringside. He first brings out Brock Lesnar.
Heyman questions what all this is tonight. Heyman tells that by putting Lesnar in the ring with the other three men tonight all hell will break lose. Heyman says that because Lesnar is willing to listen to ideas that don’t involve WWE they are trying everything to make sure Lesnar loses. Heyman tells that as a fan the concept of the match sucks. Heyman says when Lesnar loses it will be because someone was man enough. He goes on to tell that Joe, Braun, and Roman won’t be able to beat Lesnar. Heyman delivers a spoiler and tells that this Sunday Lesnar is either gonna have the title ripped off of him and they leave WWE, or Lesnar destroys. Out comes Samoa Joe.
Joe tells that at SummerSlam he is coming to rip it from Lesnar after he puts him to sleep. Out comes Braun Strowman.
Braun tells Lesnar that he is always the last man standing. Joe questions this and tells how he arrived and took out Reigns. He tells Braun he isn’t a last man standing. Out comes Roman Reigns.
Reigns gets in the ring and spears Joe. Braun slams Reigns and Lesnar approaches. The security enter the ring, but Lesnar fights outs. Braun breaks free, but is held back again. Lesnar and Braun fight them off and stare each other down. Out comes the members of the locker room. They hold them off, but Lesnar and Braun break free for a second. As Raw goes off the air the men are held back.
My Opinion:
A good way to end the night. I loved the tension in the air and I loved how Heyman left it all out there with his promo. I wish this segment would have had more time as I think all four men should’ve been getting held back. Still though you could feel the big fight and it definitely makes you intrigued to see this match. SummerSlam is gonna bring one the hardest hitting matches in a long time.

Final Thoughts:
I really loved Raw this week. This to me was one of the more exciting weeks we have seen in sometime. Form top to bottom tonight I was very entertained. First they started off with a bang, I loved seeing Ambrose and Rollins back together. At SummerSlam I’m pulling for them. If they win they bring back the unpredictability, plus Ambrose and Rollins with back on top where they belong. For them though if nothing else they’ve gotten very over with this and I hope that at the end of it one of them gets a shot to be champion again. Also tonight the right call was made with Sasha winning. Her and Alexa have so much unfinished business and they will tear the house down. I love Alexa, but I feel she is more over and Sasha needs this victory. Sasha did so much last year and this year has been quiet. This could be the time for The Boss to be back on top. Neville and Tozawa tore it down as well. I think putting this match on Raw was perfect, they got their chance to shine and they did. Not only did we get to see the title change hands, but we got excitement out of it. The crowd loved it and I would say people will want to see this match again. This was a smart strategy for sure. Seeing Wyatt and Balor go at it was awesome as well. The match definitely felt like they needed more, it was the feeling of unfinished business. Balor going to the back and saying he got his rematch and he’s gonna show his demon’s was amazing. I can’t wait to see The Demon King this Sunday and he and Wyatt could have one of the best matches of the night this Sunday. Jason Jordan was very impressive tonight as well. It’s awesome seeing him develop into such a superstar. On the same note I was very impressed with Axel and Dallas as well, they have really stepped up being with Miz. plus we got to see The Hardy Boyz which is always a treat. The ending to Raw was great as well. I loved the tension between all four men and I’m glad they were held back. I think the moments like that sell pay per views. Now people can’t wait to see them go at it. As I stated above I have no doubt that this will be one of the hardest hitting matches in a long time. I am super excited for this and truthfully if Lesnar doesn’t leave champion then I’d like to see Braun win as that would really put him over as the new monster of WWE. Overall tonight there were a lot of killer matches, as well as exciting segments and that’s all I can ask for. It got me hyped for SummerSlam and I hope everyone else enjoyed it as well.
Overall Rating: 8/10