Raw Review 09/03/2018

Tonight just one week after allying with Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler what is Braun Strowman’s next move as his sights continue to be on Roman Reigns and the Universal Championship at Hell In A Cell? Plus, with one final match between Triple H and Undertaker coming upon us HBK Shawn Michaels comes to Raw to weigh in on this highly anticipated match. What will Michaels have to say about two men he knows better than anyone? Also, The Bella’s return to the ring as they take on The Riott Squad, will The Bella’s be able to pull off a victory in their return and gain momentum for them and Ronda Rousey as they will face The Riott Squad at Super Show-Down? As Alexa Bliss looks to recapture the Raw Women’s Championship is there anything she can do to gain an edge over Ronda Rousey? Finally, The Revival will get another shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships, will tonight be the night they put away The B-Team or is there a little luck left for Axel and Dallas?

Raw comes to us tonight from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Renee Young

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman & Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre
Strowman says before he gets started he’s got something he wants everyone to see again and then rolls the footage of the attack on The Shield last week. Braun then tells that’s what he calls justice. He says he tried to do it face to face monster to man. He tells how Reigns runs in a pack and his brothers had to come and save him. He tells Reigns that without them he knows that Universal Championship is his. He says he knows with them he never will be so he had to go about it differently and he doesn’t give a damn if anyone doesn’t’ like it. He says he has a pack of his own and is gonna show Reigns this is his yard now. He tells Reigns at Hell In A Cell he’s not only gonna break his spirit but his mind and take his Universal Championship. Mcintyre proclaims The Shield’s time is over and they are the kings of the jungle now. Ziggler says they will be the most dominant force in WWE. He says they’ll be more dominant than The Nation of Domination, DX, and sure as hell more dominant than The Shield. He says they will leave them embarrassed and decimated and reminds they started it. Out comes The Shield!
As The Shield enters Baron Corbin sends out members of the locker room. The Shield take them out and surround the ring. More superstars then come out and The Shield continue to go at them. Finally, they enter the ring and go at it. More members head out trying to separate the six men. Rollins breaks free and goes after Mcintyre. The Raw locker room continues to try to separate them. Mcintyre, Ziggler, and Strowman are brought up the ramp. The Shield continue to fight and run up the ramp after them as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, The Shield has been put in handcuffs and are being taken away.
My Opinion:
Wow, what a way to start Raw! This is shaping up to be a rivalry for the ages between The Shield and Mcintyre, Ziggler, and Strowman. I loved how bad they tried to go at it and how much passion they put towards getting at one another. I loved Raw going to break with The Shield chasing them, that’s what grabs people’s attention and keeps them watching. The Shield being arrested made it very interesting and it’s a good way to keep everyone guessing and keeping this going.

Match 1: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) vs  The Riott Squad (Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan w/ Ruby Riott)
Nikki starts the match and backs Morgan to the ropes. Logan gets the tag and now backs Nikki to the ropes. Nikki gets around on her and works her to the mat but Logan kicks out of the cover. Nikki stays on her and works the arm of Logan. Nikki drives Logan to the mat and goes for the cover but can’t get the three. Logan is able to take down Nikki and works her arm. Nikki works to her feet and fights out. Nikki lands an elbow then flies and takes down Logan shoulder first on the mat. Nikki tries a cover but still can’t get the three. Brie gets the tag and goes to the arm of Logan. Logan lifts her and is able to tag Morgan. Morgan lands a big kick and tries a cover but Brie kicks out. Morgan goes to a chin lock but Brie fights out. Brie comes back with a series of forearms. Morgan is able to duck and grabs a handful of hair to slam Brie down. Logan gets the tag and hits Brie with a stiff right. Brie is able to come off the ropes and hit a dropkick. Brie then hits the Yes Kicks. Morgan comes in and Brie takes her down. Brie lands a knee on Logan and then one on Morgan. Logan is able to land a big punch that sends Brie to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Logan works the arm of Brie and works her on the mat. Brie works to her feet and is able to break the hold. Brie tries a tag but Logan grabs her and brings her to her corner. Logan lands big kicks but Brie fights out and lands a missile dropkick. Morgan gets the tag and tries to stop Brie but she breaks free and tags Nikki. Nikki lands a clothesline and stays on Morgan. She lands a forearm and lands a big kick but Logan breaks up the cover. Brie flies through the ropes and barely hits Riott and Logan but takes them out nonetheless. Nikki lands the Rack Attack and gets the three on the pin.
Winners: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie)
My Opinion:
This was a good first match back for The Bella’s. They definitely showed they still got it but there is stuff they gotta work on. Brie had a pretty scary moment tonight and I think she should stop with the dives unless she gets more comfortable with them. The Bella’s are veterans so they don’t need to go above and beyond right out of the gate. They’ve made their name and now is about working back in not blowing the roof off on the first night. The Riott Squad is a perfect fit to rival them for now, those girls are up and coming but are getting so good in the ring and this is a big opportunity for them to show what they are made of. I think Logan and Morgan definitely made the most of it.

Backstage Segment:
Balor tells Corbin he wants a rematch tonight. Corbin questions him and says he’s the one who makes the matches. Balor laughs and says he changes the rules too. Balor tells him to prove he’s the man he needs to act like one. He tells Corbin he wants to see who the better man really is. Corbin tells him he talks a big game and says he’s got his match in the main event tonight.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Gable and Roode what led to the partnership. Gable says he keeps a close eye and says he was captivated by how Roode carries himself. He says being a tag team is what he does best. Roode thanks him and tells gable let’s go show him.

Match 2: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
Gable stars with a huge suplex to Viktor and another to follow. He then hits one on Konnor and another on Viktor. He hits one more on Konnor and tags Roode. Roode slams Viktor off the turnbuckle and hits a chop. Roode hits a suplex and tries the cover but Viktor kicks out. Viktor works him to the corner and Konnor gets the tag. Konnor stomps on him and then tags Viktor. The Ascension double team Roode and then Viktor tries a cover. Roode kicks out but Viktor keeps him on the mat with a chin lock. Viktor stays on Roode and slams him down to the mat. Viktor tags in Konnor and he hits a huge elbow. Konnor goes for the cover but Roode kicks out. Konnor locks in a chin lock on Roode. Roode tries to fight out but Konnor continues to beat on him. Viktor gets the tag and continues to wear down Roode. Roode gets to his feet and is able to back himself and Viktor to the ropes. Gable tags in and hits a crossbody and then a dropkick. Gable hits a suplex. He takes out Konnor on the floor and then hits a missile dropkick on Viktor. Gable hits a German suplex into a bridge cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable.
My Opinion:
Wow, Chad Gable was so impressive tonight. Gable didn’t miss a beat and proved so much tonight. Roode is great in his own right but Gable really carried him. I loved the smartness of Gable tagging in at the end and I also liked how he never gave The Ascension to regroup. I think Roode and Gable is a good partnership in terms of talent but I don’t know how well they will mesh together. I think what Gable really needs is to stay hot for a while and then team back up with Jason Jordan when he comes back. Either way, this is an interesting partnership and we will see if Roode adapts back to his tag team days and works better with Gable. A lot of people will remember Roode in Beer Money with James Storm and how good they were. I think for Roode it’ll come down to how much he wants to be with a partner now.

In Ring Segment: Elias
Elias brings up last week and how Trish Stratus interrupted him and embarrassed herself. He says she is struggling with the truth that WWE stands for Walk With Elias. Elias says as he was coming in thinking about his song tonight and says if Christopher Columbus knew a city like this would be named after him he would’ve turned his ship around. He then makes fun of Ohio State. Alexa Bliss then comes out with Mickie James and Alicia Fox.
Alexa tells Elias he graduated high school in this very building. She then leads the crowd in an Ohio chant. Alexa then tells Elias she agrees with him and couldn’t get out of this dumb quick enough. She then makes fun of the crowd and says look where you are and look where I am. She then apologizes to Elias for Trish Stratus. Elias tells Alexa there is so much jealousy for beautiful superstars like them. Alexa tells Elias she will take care of Trish and Ronda. Alexa then asks Elias to play his song. Out comes Ronda Rousey, and Natalya.
My Opinion:
This was a good segment with two of the better heels on Raw. Alexa is at the top of her game so it was really awesome watching her and Elias agree and run with that segment together. Alexa has big matches coming up so this was a perfect time to give her even more heat. As for Elias, I feel bad he’s stuck in this position. I wanna see him succeed and it’s been so long since we’ve even seen him in a real match.

Match 3: Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James & Alicia Fox vs Natalya w/ Ronda Rousey
As Raw returns, Natalya is working Bliss on the mat. Bliss goes to the ropes and Natalya grabs her. Bliss gets in control and works the arm of Natalya. Natalya lands a fireman’s takedown and goes into an armbar. Bliss gets caught in the ropes and Natalya catches her. Natalya lets her go and then stomps on her hand. Natalya sends her across the ring and then hits a basement dropkick. Bliss comes back with a huge right. She then stomps on Natalya in the corner. Bliss then locks in an armbar on Natalya and Natalya taps.
*** After the match Bliss tries to ambush Rousey but she takes it to her. She then takes out Fox. Bliss then lands a chop block and sends Rousey out of the ring. Bliss throws her off the steps but back in the ring Rousey fights back and sends Bliss out of the ring this time.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
My Opinion:
This was a quick match but Bliss proved a lot. Natalya took it to her but Bliss stayed the course and showed ways that she can win especially against someone like Rousey. Bliss has to control the match like she did tonight. She even proved she has new moves in her arsenal winning by an armbar. After the match, Bliss finally got one of Rousey but then Rousey turned it around. One thing was shown tonight and that’s if Bliss is gonna win she can’t let up. She has to start off aggressive and not give Rousey any time to fight back.

Backstage Segment:
Ziggler, Strowman, and Mcintyre come in. Strowman says it’s to bad The shield got arrested but tells Corbin to find them some other competition. Ziggler says they aren’t asking they’re telling. Ziggler asks for a tag team title match. Corbin says any other night. Mcintyre asks what if they aren’t good to go. Corbin says that’d be a different story and he’d have to make other arrangements. Strowman tells Corbin he better find him some competition.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks The Revival about them talking about The B-Team being a mockery. Dawson says everything they said was the truth. Ziggler and Mcintyre come out of nowhere and attack The Revival.

Match 4: The B-Team (c) vs Drew Mcintyre & Dolph Ziggler
Raw Tag Team Championship
Mcintyre takes a cheap shot on Dallas and then takes it to Axel. Mcintyre lands a huge belly to belly and then tags in Ziggler. Axel tries a roll-up but Ziggler kicks out. Axel tries a backslide but gets another near fall. Dallas gets the tag and lands a huge clothesline. Ziggler and Mcintyre are sent to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre tries a cover but Dallas kicks out. Mcintyre keeps Dallas grounded and continues the attack on his arm. Dallas tries to make a tag but Mcintyre throws him. Ziggler gets the cover and scraps the face of Dallas. Ziggler toys with Dallas but Dallas fights back. Ziggler follows with a huge dropkick but Dallas kicks out of the cover. Mcintyre gets the tag and chops Dallas in the corner. Dallas lands a big right hand and then hits a tornado DDT. Dallas is able to counter Mcintyre and hits a neck breaker. Axel and Ziggler get the tags and Axel comes in hot. Axel hits a snap mare and stays on him. Axel hits the perfect plex but Mcintyre breaks the cover, Mcintyre then sends Dallas face first into the middle turnbuckle. Ziggler is able to hit the superkick on Axel and then tags Mcintyre. They hit the Claymore and the Zigzag on Axel. Mcintyre goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Drew Mcintyre & Dolph Ziggler: New Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
This was a really good effort by The B-Team but Ziggler and Mcintyre are just too good. Out of the gate, Dallas and Axel looked better than ever but Mcintyre and Ziggler wore them down. I love that Mcintyre and Ziggler went out and took the titles. This is the way to build them even more, it’s awesome to see a group that goes and takes what they want because we haven’t had that in a while. I think they’ll have a successful run and this only adds fuel to the fire with the already heated rivalry with The Shield.

Match 5: AOP (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick) vs Local Talent
*** Maverick announces he is the manager of AOP now and he is gonna make them the Raw Tag Team Championships.
Rezar comes out hot and takes it to their opponents. Akam comes in and they bury them in the corner. They hit the Super Collider and get the 1 2 3.
Winner: AOP (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick)
My Opinion:
Very interesting to see Drake Maverick as the new manager of AOP. I think with him they definitely can be more dangerous and I love it because I have thought for a while now that AOP needs a manager. They need to go in the ring and bring the destruction while someone else does the talking. With going back to what made them stars in NXT I think AOP can rise to the top and win the tag team championships.

Backstage Segment:
The Bella’s come in and ask if Nattie is okay. Brie and Nikki then tell Ronda she is gonna be the greatest champion of all time. Nikki tells her that she inspired them to come back to WWE. They tell Ronda if they need any training partners they’re here. Ronda tells them she has Nattie. Nikki tells her if she needs anything at all they’re here for her.

In Ring Segment: Shawn Michaels
HBK plays to the crowd and mentions his new t-shirt on sale and plugs the WWE Network. HBK tells how Undertaker and Triple H will be insane, so insane he’s gonna be there personally to see this. He says it will be something we will all never ever forget. HBK says he was surprised to see how many people picked Undertaker. He says he would’ve understood if the WrestleMania streak was still intact. He says Stone Cold and him are still in agreement because they feel Triple H is gonna win this matter. HBK says this is purely professional, he tells Undertaker that Triple H is still The Game and still The Cerebral Assassin and says he has more left in the tank. He says at the Super Show-Down Triple H is gonna cerebral assassinate you. He tells Undertaker he needs to understand there is nothing. Out comes The Undertaker!!!
Taker says he thinks this just became personal. He tells HBK in the 20 years of him and Triple H being friends he took the best each one of them had and he put them down. He says he took a part of their souls and their egos can’t accept it. He tells HBK he chose Triple H because he took the one thing that was most important to him, his career. HBK tells him he was a man of his word and someone had to stand and be committed to the words he spoke. HBK says he has stayed away and stayed to true to his retirement because he is a man his word, of honor and integrity. He says he has stayed retired out of respect for them, and most importantly for you. HBK says every time he steps in an arena he hears the chants of one more match. Taker questions him. HBK says yes it is, he tells that for nearly a decade he turns down millions and millions of dollars for one more match, he’s turned down dream matches. He has stayed retired out of respect for The Undertaker. Taker asks is it respect or is it fear? Taker tells him if he had ever chosen to come out of retirement there would have only been one person he would come for and that’s him. He tells HBK he would put him down all over again. Taker tells HBK he knows he’s gonna put his buddy Triple H down again.
My Opinion:
This was a great segment between two living legends. Taker had some very true words to say, has put both of them down many many times. HBK looked very shocked but I think Taker got to him a little by asking if it was fear that keeps him out. HBK could definitely have one more match and one with The Undertaker would be amazing. I really hope those won’t just words and there is more meaning behind them and it turns into something down the road. Either way though Triple H and Undertaker one last time will be a classic.

Backstage Segment:
Corbin tells Balor he’s been on the phone none stop and he’s not gonna be able to compete tonight. Balor isn’t surprised. He tells Balor he will still be in the main event but he will be facing Braun Strowman.

Match 6: Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Dana Brooke & Ember Moon w/ Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews)
Bayley works a side headlock on Brooke and brings her to her corner. Banks gets the tag and hits a sliding clothesline. Banks hits the Meteora as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Bayley works the arm of Moon but Moon fights out. Moon is able to send Bayley flying but Bayley prevents here from getting a tag. Banks gets the tag but Moon is able to land a kick to Bayley and Banks and then lands a crossbody. Brooke gets the tag and takes it to Banks. Banks comes back with a huge kick. Brooke is able to counter here and puts Banks on her shoulders. Banks counters but Brooke stays on her. Brooke gets distracted by Titus and Apollo and Banks rolls her up. Banks gets the 1 2 3.
***After the match Dana tells Titus and Apollo she has had it with them and she’s done.
Winner: Sasha Banks & Bayley
My Opinion:
This was a short match but it did show the problems Dana has been having with Titus Worldwide. If Dana is done maybe this will be her chance to step out on her own again and find her own way in the Raw Women’s Division. Banks and Bayley continue to look good together as a team. One thing I always think of now when seeing Bayley and Sasha is how bad I wish there was Women’s Tag Team Championships. I think these two would be perfect front-runners for those. Maybe someday we will see it happen.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Lashley what happened in his meeting with Baron Corbin. He says it wasn’t much of a meeting. Lashley gives Charly a piece of paper which is a performance review. Charly reads it and it says Lashley has to go to a meditation session with Jinder Mahal in the ring. Lashley says he’s excited for this to be with his man Jinder Mahal helping him find his inner peace.

In Ring Segment: Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh & Bobby Lashley
Jinder welcomes Lashley and says he sense a great sense of hostility. He says he senses a great deal of anger but he can help harness his anger and achieve inner peace. Jinder then tells Bobby to repeat after him. Bobby tells Sunil to sit down and relax. From behind Kevin Owens comes out of nowhere and attacks Lashley. Mahal pulls off Lashley but is met with a right hand. Owens then hits a big boot to the face. Owens then hits an apron powerbomb on Lashley.
My Opinion:
Glad to see Owens back tonight. If he starts a rivalry with Lashley this could be a good one. Owens needs more direction as he’s kinda gone all around over the past few months. I’m a big KO fan so I’d love to see him in the title hunt at some point. Maybe a rivalry with Lashley will remind everyone the kind of fighter Owens is.

Match 7: Braun Strowman w/ Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre vs Finn Balor
Balor stomps on the foot of Strowman but quickly is met with a shoulder tackle. Balor jumps on the back of Strowman but is then backed into the corner. Strowman lands a headbutt and knocks down Balor. Strowman then lands a big blow to the spine of Balor. Balor flies off the ropes but is caught and hit with a side slam. Strowman comes off the ropes and hits a huge boot. Balor is able to get his feet up and then flies but he’s caught. Balor turns it around and tries a sleeper but Strowman throws him. Strowman is sent over the top rope and Balor hits him with a baseball slide. Balor then lands a stomp to the neck as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Strowman wrenches on the neck of Balor. Strowman lands huge blows to the chest of Balor and then goes back to the neck. Balor gets to his feet but Strowman hits him with his hip and then sends Balor out of the ring. Balor on the outside is able to hit the sling blade. Strowman tries to enter the ring but Balor hits him with a kick. Strowman catches Balor and throws him in the corner. Strowman then crushes him. Balor is able to come out of the corner with a dropkick. Balor then gets the sleeper on but Strowman breaks the hold. Balor is able to move out of the way and Strowman runs into the post. Balor flies to the outside and takes everyone out. Strowman catches him and throws Balor into the ring. Balor takes down Strowman and tries to go to the top but Strowman gets to his feet. Balor looks for the sleeper and works it into a triangle choke. Strowman is able to lift him and then slams him to the mat. Strowman hits a power slam and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Strowman lands another power slam on Balor. Strowman then throws him out of the ring. Mcintyre grabs the steps and the three look for the powerbomb. Sirens ring in the arena and out comes The Shield! From behind members of the Raw locker room rush down the ramp and attack The Shield. Strowman hits Reigns with the steps as Ambrose is sent into the titantron. Rollins is then sent into the police van. The attack continues on Reigns with the steps. The attacks on Rollins and Ambrose continue as well. Mcintyre takes out Ambrose with a big kick. Ziggler then hits a superkick on Rollins. Strowman then hits a power slam on the floor.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
First, for the main event itself, Balor put up a great fight against Strowman. Strowman is just to much to handle and you really have to beat him down if you have any sort of chance. After the match that was chaotic, I never thought I’d see The Shield so beaten down. This is really really intriguing though and this is what we need right now on Raw. This is the stuff that keeps you guessing and keeps you talking. No doubt The Shield will rise and I for one can’t wait to see how it happens. The Shield is down but never count them out!

Final Thoughts:
This was a very good Raw overall. The night started with a bang and I loved the rivalry between The Shield and Ziggler, Mcintyre, and Strowman. Starting Raw with a brawl brings it back to older days of Raw where you couldn’t change the channel because you didn’t know what was gonna happen next. I loved Ziggler and Mcintyre literally going and taking the title shot and then winning the tag titles tonight. This type of aggression is exactly what we need to see, it’s honestly a breath of fresh air. One thing I really noticed was the heels tonight on Raw were really on, from Owens to Bliss, to Strowman, to Mcintyre and Ziggler. The finish of Raw tonight I thought was perfect. It’s something to keep you talking and something to keep you thinking because how will The Shield come back from this? Raw is just getting better and I love every minute. With the Hell In A Cell Go-Home show next week things will only get better. I can’t wait for what happens next!!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10