Raw Review 09/10/2018

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of Monday Night Raw before this Sunday’s Hell In A Cell PPV! After dismantling The Shield last week what will be next for Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre? Can The Shield rise or will Roman Reigns walk into Sunday broken down without his brothers in arm? Plus, in the city where Ronda Rousey made her in-ring debut, she steps into the ring again tonight with Natalya to take on Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Will Rousey be able to put fear in Bliss one more time before their big time match for the Raw Women’s Championship this Sunday? Also, after a chilling encounter between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker last week, what will Triple H have to say when he’s live in the ring tonight? Finally, with infamous Hell In A Cell awaiting more victims on Sunday, what advice will the veteran of the match Mick Foley have for the competitors who dare to step in there?

Raw comes to us from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana

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

In Ring Segment: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre & Braun Strowman
Ziggler says we told you so. He tells there is only one way to describe what happened to The Shield last week. Strowman says we beat them down. He adds that hey feats on their bloody carcasses. Mcintyre then says have a look and shows their attack on The Shield from last week. Strowman tells that Reigns only still has the Universal Championship because he is a coward and can’t handle business on his own. He tells Reigns he might have his Hounds Of Justice but he has his Dogs Of War. Ziggler commends the members of the locker room who assisted last week. He tells them they stood for their rights and stood up for themselves. Mcintyre says the power has shifted and now they are in control. He says he and Ziggler will set an example when they dismantle the B-Team in their rematch. Strowman says that is nothing compared to what he’ll do when e gets his hands on Roman Reigns inside Hell In A Cell. Out comes The Shield.
Ambrose goes after the men around the ring. Rollins flies over the barricade to help out. Ambrose breaks out three ax handles and they tee off on the superstars around the ring. The Shield stand tall as Strowman, Ziggler, and Mcintyre retreat up the ramp.
My Opinion:
I love starting Raw this way! The rivalry developing between The Shield and Strowman, Ziggler, and Mcintyre is amazing! The Shield got taken out last week but I love seeing them right back standing tall. I liked the idea of breaking them down some but I’m glad they’ve let them stand on top this week. Now going into Hell In A Cell you can see Reigns is at no disadvantage and there’s no telling what can happen. This is a rivalry that I really can’t wait to see what comes next!

Backstage Segment:
Corbin tells The Shield he doesn’t want a repeat of last week. He tells them to drop the weapons. He says he wants them here competing on Raw and not destroying everything in their path. Corbin tells them to leave the premises or Roman and Seth will have to vacate their titles and the three of them will go to jail for a long time.

Match 1: Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella vs Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan
The two lock up and riott quickly works a side headlock. Riott works Nikki to the mat and maintains the headlock. Riott tries to pin Nikki but she kicks out. Nikki works out but Riott hits her with a big shoulder tackle. Nikki fights back and tries a cover but Riott kicks out. Nikki goes after Riott but she uses the ropes to back Nikki off. Nikki backs Riott into the corner and drives her shoulder into her gut. Riott comes back and Nikki goes face first off the turnbuckle. Riott stays on her but Nikki comes back with a spear and unloads on Riott. Riott fights back by kicking the top rope into the throat of Nikki. Nikki goes to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Riott is in control but Nikki comes back with a spine buster. Nikki knocks Riott with a knee. Riott comes back with a kick to the midsection. Nikki now is able to catch Riott with a kick to the face but it’s not enough to put her away. Riott tries to take advantage off the distraction of the Riott Squad and plants Nikki face first. Nikki is able to kick out of the cover. Riott misses on an enziguri and Nikki hits the Rack Attack 2.0. Nikki gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Nikki Bella
My Opinion:
This was a pretty good singles match for Nikki. Her and Riott did well, I wouldn’t say it was the most smooth match I’ve seen but it was pretty good. It’ll be interesting to see if Nikki will continue to get singles matches and maybe get another big singles run. Nikki can definitely do it and there are many superstars I wanna see her face soon. So far The Bella’s and The Riott Squad have had a good rivalry.

Backstage Segment:
Maverick tells AOP to harness their rage. He tells to not let any forget the pain caused by AOP.

Match 2: Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick) vs Ronnie Ace & Nathan Bradley
Rezar picks up Ronnie Ace and drops him on the turnbuckle. He then hits a fallaway slam. Akam then takes out Nathan Bradley. Akam slams Ace and tags Rezar. AOP then hits the Super Collider and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick)
My Opinion:
AOP makes quick work of their opponents again. I think with Maverick by their side these guys are gonna go on and become champions. They have the look and all the skills in the ring to do so. If they get behind AOP I think they will run with it and become one of the most dangerous forces we’ve seen maybe ever.

Backstage Segment:

Triple H has arrived and will address the crowd next!

In Ring Segment: Triple H
Triple H says the night after SummerSlam he stood in the ring and said the era was back. He said he and Undertaker would step in the ring one more time out of respect. He then tells how many legends came out of the woodworks to give their opinions and in their open poll Undertaker won by a landslide. Triple H says he was shocked that The Undertaker was so bothered by Shawn Michaels opinion. Triple H says he watched that back and it made him really mad because he felt that somehow Undertaker has lost respect for Shawn and him. He says that wasn’t the case and The Undertaker had lost respect for himself. He then questions why Undertaker didn’t show up to say this to his face. Triple H tells that after the WrestleMania matches with him and Shawn things weren’t the same. He says now Undertaker is just a reputation and then those series of matches were his last moments of greatness. Triple then says now it’s personal. Triple H says out of the last little bit of respect he has for him, he will put him down.
My Opinion:
I really believed in what Triple H was saying tonight. He truly looks ready for this match and this is a more focused Triple H then we’ve seen in quite some time. I believe Triple H when he says he’ll put him down. I love Undertaker but Triple H has more left in the tank and if he gets on a roll and beat down Taker I don’t see how he could lose. You have to imagine now would be the time Triple H finally gets one over on Undertaker.

Match 3: Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick)Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre (c) vs The B-Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel): Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Ziggler tries a single leg takedown but Dallas stays on his feet. Dallas backs him to the ropes but Ziggler comes back with a right hand and a dropkick to follow. Dallas is able to land a neck breaker and goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Dallas and Axel trade tags and both beat down Ziggler In the corner Axel gets the tag again and he and Dallas double team Ziggler. Axel goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Ziggler fights back and gets Axel in the corner. Axel fights out with big shots to Ziggler. Ziggler knocks him down with a huge kick. Mcintyre gets the tag and hits a big boot sending Axel to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mcintyre is still in control and tries a pin on Axel but he kicks out. Mcintyre works the shoulder of Axel and toys with him. Axel fights in the corner with big elbows but Mcintyre catches him. Ziggler gets the tag and drops Axel face first. Ziggler tries a cover but Axel kicks out. Ziggler tries a superkick but Axel catches him and sends him face first into the ring post. Axel is able to fight off Ziggler and tags in Dallas. Dallas takes out Mcintyre and then lays out Ziggler. Dallas tries the cover but Ziggler just kicks out. Mcintyre helps out Ziggler. Ziggler tries to take advantage but Dallas fights back. Mcintyre helps out once more and this allows Ziggler to get the tag. Mcintyre and Ziggler then hit the Zig Zag and Claymore combo. Mcintyre gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Ambrose and Rollins attack Mcintyre and Ziggler.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
Mcintyre and Ziggler get their first defense out of the way but it wasn’t an easy task. The B-Team put up more fight than I expected and really had a shot to win this. Mcintyre and Ziggler are so dominate though when they get on a roll. I’m not sure who’s gonna beat them because they’re really on a roll as a team. I really wanna see Rollins and Ambrose get a shot at them, that’s a match I think most people have been waiting to see.

Backstage Segment:
Corbin asks Rollins and Ambrose if they wanna get arrested. Rollins tells Corbin The Shield isn’t here this is just Rollins and Ambrose. Corbin tells them they’re gonna get arrested again. Rollins tells him it’s funny how Braun, Dolph, and Drew didn’t. Rollins tells Corbin the sheriff is prepared to issue a warrant for Corbin’s arrest for falsifying a police report. Rollins tells the sheriff to go ahead. Corbin asks Rollins if they can talk about this in private. Rollins tells the sheriff he doesn’t think they’re gonna need to press chargers at least not right now.

Kevin Owens vs Tyler Breeze
***Before the match Owens goes to the outside and attacks Breeze. In the ring Breeze fights back and catches Owens with a big kick. Owens lands a kick of his own on the outside. Owens then hits a powerbomb on the apron. Owens grabs a mic and says two weeks ago he walked away from this place and it felt great. He tells how Cobrin then begged him to come back. He says Corbin recognizes his value as the true MVP of Raw. Owens says he came back with the clause that he is not responsible for what he does to his opponents. He says he now he can whatever he wants and it’s just doing his job. He tells everyone can blame Bobby Lashley for this. He tells that he quit cause of Bobby Lashley but he’s also the reason he’s back. He says last week was just the start and this is still the Kevin Owens Show. he says now you can expect anarchy, agony, and destruction and you can all blame Bobby Lashley.
My Opinion:
I love this new Kevin Owens! He is truly one of the best heels they have right now and this aggression he has now is perfect. I hope Owens will get another run at being the top guy. I really think he deserves it and he did so much for the company over the summer that it’s time it pays off. I think with this new attitude Owens can do anything and the sky will be the limit.

Match 4: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
Gable starts hot and hits a series of big suplexes on Viktor. Konnor comes in and takes a cheap shot and hits Gable with a big boot. Viktor tags in Konnor and Konnor wears him down. Konnor works a chinlock and keeps Gable grounded on the mat. Konnor hits him with a big shot to the head and then hits him with a big right hand. Viktor gets the tag and hits a big knee but it doesn’t put Gable away. Viktor then works a chinlock. Gable tries to fight out but Viktor stays on him. Finally, Gable is able to land a back body drop and tags Roode. Roode hits him with a boot and hits a big spinebuster. Gable tags in and hits a bridge suplex and gets the 1 2 3 on Viktor.
Winner: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable
My Opinion:
Gable and Roode pick up another win and are starting to get on a roll as a team. Gable is overstepping his bounds some with Roode but I think as long as he gets them wins that’s what counts. I don’t know how far Roode and Gable will go as a team but if they stay together they will have to learn to work together a little bit better. Right now it still feels like two singles competitors together and instead they need to become a team. That will all come in time and who knows maybe they can take the division by storm.

Backstage Segment:
Ziggler asks Drew and Braun why The Shield are back in this building. Corbin comes in and asks if he took care of this. Corbin says not exactly. He informs Drew and Dolph they will be defending the Raw Tag Team championships against Rollins and Ambrose. He tells them this is his first PPV and that tag team match will be epic. He then tells Braun Stephanie wants him to take the title in Hell In A Cell. Braun says good and tells he’s going Big Dog hunting.

Match 5: Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs Ronda Rousey & Natalya
Natalya and Bliss start the match and Bliss goes to the ropes quickly to avoid her. Natalya lands a takedown on Bliss. Natalya then hits a side Russian leg sweep. Natalya is able to plant Bliss and then hits the basement dropkick. Rousey gets the tag but Bliss tags James to get out of the ring. James gets around on Rousey but Rousey fights back and hits a clothesline. Natalya gets the tag and they double team James with a suplex. James is able to kick out of the cover. Natalya works her and tries a sharpshooter but James gets to the ropes. James lands a kick to the face and tries a cover but Natalya kicks out. James fails at another pin attempt but then goes to a chinlock. Natalya is able to fight out and work to a vertical base but James drops her with a clothesline. Bliss gets the tag and is able to land a knee to the midsection of Natalya. Bliss looks for the armbar but Natalya turns it into a pin. Bliss kicks out. Bliss takes a cheap shot on Rousey and Rousey chases her. Natalya and Rousey then hits the Heart Attack on her as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, James works Natalya with a waist lock. Natalya hits her with a big right but James puts even more pressure on her. Natalya is able to drive James into the corner but James quickly comes back and knocks Natalya to the mat. James holds Natalya in the corner as Bliss hits her with big kicks. Natalya is able to catch Bliss and tags Rousey. Bliss gets back into control and sends Rousey of the barricade. She then bounces her off the ring. James gets the tag and unloads with kicks to the ribs of Rousey. Bliss gets the tag and stretches the arm of Rousey. Rousey fights out but Bliss lands a big kick to the ribs. James tags in and lands a big kick to the ribs of Rousey with the help of Bliss. Rousey is able to take down James but James takes out Natalya to prevent the tag. Rousey is able to hit a clothesline and then unloads on James with the lefts and rights. Rousey tosses James around and then locks in the armbar. James taps.
***After the match Bliss takes a cheap shot on Rousey.
Winners: Natalya & Ronda Rousey
My Opinion:
This was a pretty decent match between these teams. I’m pretty surprised by how domante Bliss and James were. They really took it to Natalya and Rousey and honestly if they stayed on them and didn’t gloat they may have been able to win. Bliss got the last laugh in this one and has for sure hurt Rousey. If Rousey is hurt she is gonna have to go into another mode this Sunday and get ready to fight. When all is said and done Bliss will have to break Rousey to get that title and I don’t know if she can do that, even if she does have the numbers game advantage with James and Fox.

Backstage Segment:
Braun Strowman goes around yelling where’s Roman Reigns. He questions a backstage hand and lays them out. Braun continues to scream Roman.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Ronda how her ribs are and if she’ll be 100% for Sunday. She says she is fine and she has never pulled out of a fight in her entire life. She says it’s not because she hasn’t been injured but because even on her worst day she is still the best.

In Ring Segment: Elias & Mick Foley
Elias says something just feels off tonight. He says the crowd seems lost and asks if it’s cause the Saints lost yesterday. Elias says Drew Brees is sick of representing this run down filthy city. He says he wants the year to be over and the season is done. He says his song can save them all and bring them back to life. Out comes Mick Foley!
Mick tells Elias he is a big fan and tells Elias he is very good. He tells him as a lyricist he doesn’t have a sincere bone in his body. Elias tells Mick he knows why he’s out here. He tells Mick as a child he sat in the arena and watched as he was thrown off the Hell In A Cell. He tells Mick his life was never the same after that. Elias tells him that was then and this is now. He tells Mick he is standing in the ring with a broken man and he is singing the same sad song he has been for the past twenty years and he barely remembers the words. Mick says he got him but he didn’t come here to talk about the past he came here to talk about the future. Elias tells him he is talking to the future. Mick tells him if he keeps himself together he could be a Universal Champion. Mick tells with the 20 anniversary of his match, he went and asked Stephanie if he could be apart of this. Mick admits Stephanie laughed but he then told Stephanie the story again how he found the strength to get back up and climb back up the cage. He says he asked Stephanie how he can feel so alive again when he was almost dead. Mick then announces for the Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns match he will be the special guest referee. Elias says that’s special but tells Mick to shut up and stop wasting his time. Mick tells him he is Mick Foley and he’s gonna listen to what he has to say. He tells how Stephanie allowed him to make a match tonight. He tells Elias he will be facing this man. Out comes Finn Balor.
My Opinion:
It was awesome seeing Mick back and seeing how much passion he had towards this. I can’t believe he’s gonna be the special referee for Braun and Roman. That’s gonna be a truly special moment and it will only add to how intense that match will be. Mick looked really good and still can cut a promo like no other. Hopefully, we continue to see more of Foley down the line. But one thing’s for sure he’s got a big job this Sunday!

Backstage Segment:
Braun continues his path of destruction backstage looking Reigns.

Match 6: Finn Balor vs Elias
Elias and Balor trade blows to start the match. Elias gets Balor to the ropes and lands a shot to the ribs. Elias knocks down Balor and goes for the cover but Balor kicks out. Elis then works the neck of Balor. Balor is able to roll through on Elias and land a basement dropkick. Balor lands a big kick to Elias but Elias whips him into the corner and he crashes hard to the mat. Elias lands a big knee to the spine and goes back to the neck of Balor. Elias brings him back down the mat and keeps him grounded. Balor is able to hit Elias with both boots and follows with chops. Elias is able to land a big knee but Balor comes back with a big kick. Balor lands a stomp and follows with a sling blade. Elias hits a running knee on Balor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias hammers away with big rights. Balor is able to send him out of the ring and tries to fly but Elias gets right back in and hits him with a clothesline. Elias gets Balor in the corner and lifts him. Balor is able to fight back and drop Elias. He goes for the cover but Elias kicks out. Elias comes back with a sit down powerbomb but Balor kicks out of the cover. Elias lands a big chop and places Balor on the top rope. Balor fights him off and Elias goes down to the mat. Balor misses on the Coupe de, Grace but Balor is able to get the roll up and gets 1 2 3 on Elias.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
Big win for Balor tonight. That was no easy task as Elias was really on tonight. Elias always shows the tools of being a top talent and more matches like that would do him a lot of good. Balor fought hard and deserved this win. I don’t know what’s next for either of these men but I’d definitely like to see this match again.

Backstage Segment:
Braun tells Charly he’s asking the questions and asks where is Roman Reigns. Charly says she saw him leaving the building. Braun says he saw his boys here so he’s somewhere. Charly tells him maybe if he goes to the ring he’ll find him. Braun says she’s right and that’s what he is gonna go do.

In Ring Segment: Braun Strowman
Braun says he’s sick of waiting and tells Roman to get out here and face him like a man. Braun says that’s what he thought, the Universal Champion is a coward. He says he is afraid but unfortunately for him, he’s got nowhere to run at Hell In A Cell. he says Roman’s boys can’t help him and neither can Mick Foley. He warns Foley if he tries anything he’ll make the injuries Undertaker gave him look like paper cuts. He tells Reigns he’s sending him to hell and he isn’t coming back. Out comes Reigns. Braun meets Reigns on the stage and Reigns hits him with a Superman Punch. Reigns bounces him off the screen and pounds on Reigns. He hits Reigns with a right hand and brings him on the announce table. Reigns fights back and lifts him. Reigns hits a Samoan Drop off the table to the floor.
My Opinion:
Reigns made a huge statement tonight to end the show. Even though Braun had the power and looked like he was about to destroy Reigns, Reigns fought bac and had the last laugh. This Sunday that is what Reigns will have to do, he’s gonna have to outlast Braun and somehow find that one big move to put him away. This was a small taste but their is no doubt this Sunday we are in for a fight.

Final Thoughts:
I thought tonight was pretty good Raw. I loved the way the show started with The shield coming back strong. I thought it was a perfect way to kick it off and gave a good level of excitement to the night. I’m glad Rollins and Ambrose will get a shot at the tag titles on Sunday, they deserve it and we finally are getting back to hard hitting tag team action Raw has been missing for sometime now. I was impressed to Alexa Bliss get one over on
Rousey, she definitely made a statement but I think in the long run it’s gonna haunt here because now Rousey is just angry. It was awesome seeing Triple H tonight, he had some strong words to say but looks ready for his match with Undertaker. It’ll be interesting to see what Taker will have to say next week. Finally, it was so cool to see Mick Foley back and even better to hear he will be the special guest referee at Hell In A Cell for Strowman and Reigns. That adds an even more special element and this match could be a classic. Reigns and Strowman are gonna have a big fight Sunday and I can’t wait! Reigns gets the last laugh tonight but Strowman no doubt is gonna come with all he’s got to get the Universal Championship!
Overall Rating: 7/10