Raw Review 09/14/2020

RAW REVIEW 09/14/2020

Tonight is Monday Night Raw “In Your Face” Edition! First, two friends do battle as the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre takes on Keith Lee! Can McIntyre make a statement by defeating the dangerous Keith Lee or will Keith Lee get one of the biggest wins of his career? Plus, a bitter rivalry turns even more bitter as Dominik Mysterio takes on Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage Match! Also, the clash of the Tag Team Champions will be underway as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro take on the Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)! Which team will prove to be the most dominant team in all of WWE? Finally, can Mickie James be ready for and defeat Asuka to become the Raw Women’s Champion?

Raw comes to us from the Amway Center inside the WWE Thunderdome!

Raw kicks off with lightning in the Thunderdome, we then go back to the regular opening and we are being introduced by Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, and Dolph Ziggler as Tom Phillips and Samoa are gone this week.

In-Ring Segment: Drew McIntyre
McIntyre tells that Randy Orton broke his jaw but he is back. He says he knows Randy wanted to do so much more so he is lucky it was only a fractured jaw. McIntyre then says after 3 Claymores Randy Orton should be lucky his head is still on. McIntyre then says that WWE personnel told him to take time off because of his jaw but he would then have to give up his championship.
He says if he gets kicked again his jaw could be wired shut but he would rather leave the Thunderdome in an ambulance every week and still have the WWE Championship. McIntyre then tells how both of them have taken rides in an ambulance because of the WWE Championship so he proposes that he and Randy face in an Ambulance Match at Clash Of Champions. He then says the rules don’t apply to them anymore. McIntyre then tells how a few years ago he developed the Claymore by accident but he knew it was special. He then shows a picture of people he has hit with the Claymore.
Adam Pearce then comes out and says that they don’t know about Randy Orton’s health and they are almost positive he won’t be here tonight. He then tells because of the unknown tonight when Drew McIntyre faces Keith Lee if Keith wins then he will face Drew McIntyre at Clash Of Champions if Randy Orton can’t compete at Clash Of Champions. Here comes Keith Lee! Lee and McIntyre shake hands as they in the ring. McIntyre tells him he has been wanting this for a long time. Keith says absolutely. The two continue shaking hands as Raw goes to break.
My Opinion:
First, Mcintyre and Orton have created quite the rivalry and I really want them to face again. I love Keith Lee and I want him to have his big opportunity but right now there is a score to settle between Drew and Randy and I really want to see it happen. If it is Drew and Randy then an Ambulance Match will be perfect for them. Too many times we see a stipulation for the sake of having one but this one makes total sense, it’s a very exciting kind of match and it would be a huge draw for Clash Of Champions! Either way, it’s exciting to see the WWE Championship mean so much again and I hope more people get the opportunity to step up for the title.

Match 1: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford): Raw Tag Team Champions vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
SmackDown Tag Team Champions
Cesaro comes out of the gate with a big uppercut to Dawkins. He then lifts Dawkins and throws him on the top turnbuckle. Nakamura now comes in and gets a shot in on Dawkins. He and Cesaro work a double team but it is not enough for Nakamura to put Dawkins away. Nakamura works Dawkins in the corner.
Dawkins now fights back with a big boot and then a clothesline. Ford comes in and he and Dawkins are able to work a double team as Nakamura is down. Ford tries a cover but it is broken up by Cesaro. Dawkins and Ford now double team, Cesaro. Ford flies over the ropes and to the floor but Nakamura and Cesaro catch him and dump him on the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Cesaro is able to get in control. It doesn’t do much though has both he and Ford get tags. Dawkins takes it to both Cesaro and Nakamura and gets on the offensive. Nakamura turns that around quickly as he avoids him in the corner and hits him with a kick. Nakamura tries to stay in control but Dawkins catches him and plants him. Ford now flies but Nakamura gets his knees up. Nakamura then sends Dawkins to the outside. He then covers Ford but he kicks out.
Cesaro now comes in and swings Ford. they try again to put Ford away but he kicks out. Cesaro and Nakamura now double team Dawkins as he is hit with a big kick. Ford tries to steal one with a roll-up but Cesaro kicks out. Cesaro now hits a big uppercut. He covers but Ford kicks out. Dawkins avoids Nakamura on the outside and he crashes into the steps. Cesaro now sends Ford into the corner. He then tees off with uppercut shots. Dawkins tags in as Cesaro has Ford up and hits him with a suplex. Dawkins flies with the Cash-Out and covers for the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
My Opinion:
A huge win for The Street Profits as they not only proved their smarts as a tag team but their resilience to be able to go toe to toe with two of the best strikers in WWE. this match overall wasn’t too bad, I thought it could have been longer, and certainly, we could have seen more offense from Ford and Dawkins. Cesaro and Shinsuke basically ran this match but ultimately Cesaro’s slip up at the end is what cost them. I think Cesaro should have been able to kick out of that though especially when his best shot didn’t put away Ford or Dawkins. A longer match would have given them time to go hold for hold and have a more intense match. Hopefully, we will see this again especially with Survivor Series in a few months!

Backstage Segment: Angel Garza & Lana
Lana tells Garza that she can’t believe that Mickie has a title shot when she complained and got it. She then says that it should have been Natalya’s shot. She tells how she is the BOAT and that she has the most wins by a female in WWE. Garza tells how he agrees with her but then gets cut off by Zelina Vega and Andrade. Zelina tells him this is the problem. She brings up the issues that have going on and tells him it won’t be fixed by him flirting with Lana. Garza then blames Andrade for their loss last week. Andrade yells back at him and the two argue in Spanish. Vega says enough and tells them that she can’t do this anymore. She walks away and Andrade attacks Garza.

Backstage Segment: The Mysterio Family (Dominik, Rey, Aalyah, Angie)
Dominik, Rey, Aalyah, and Angie talk things over ahead of Dominik’s huge Steel Cage Match against Seth Rollins.

In-Ring Segment: The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
MVP says business is booming. He tells how Lashley is doing great as the CEO. Shelton has upgraded the gold standard to platinum and Cedric Alexander is officially a member of the Hurt Business. Cedric then tells how he got a lot of hate from people. He then tells how this is his job. He says he couldn’t keep getting beat up anymore and waking up on Tuesday’s unable to play with his family. He says Apollo and Ricochet left him broken. Ricochet and Apollo now come out.
Apollo says Cedric sold them out. He says Cedric was too weak-minded and sided with MVP. He then says Cedric will have to live with the consequences and they were there for them. Cedric asks Apollo how many times he had to catch a beating while he was United States Champion. Ricochet cuts off Shelton and tells Cedric what he did hurt him more than anything the Hurt Business did to him. Ricochet says they’re not going to beg him to come back but if he thinks it was bad with the Hurt Business coming after him, well, now he has them coming after him.

Match 2: Cedric Alexander w/ The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) vs Ricochet w/ Apollo Crews
Cedric starts off hot with big strikes to Ricochet. Ricochet fights back and Cedric goes on the floor. Ricochet hits a moonsault from the second rope and takes down Cedric on the floor. Lashley gets involved but how opponent tonight Erik from The Viking Raiders stops him and the two now brawl as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Cedric has Ricochet down on the mat with a waist lock. Ricochet gets on his stomach and tries to get to the ropes. He then goes on his back and lands big strikes to Cedric and fights away. Cedric now hits him with a big strike to the ribs as Ricochet comes off the ropes. Alexander tries to steal one but Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet is able to fight back and finally hits a huge dropkick as he sends Cedric off the ropes.
Ricochet now hits him with strikes to the midsection and then follows with a big uppercut. Cedric misses on the clothesline. Ricochet now takes him down with a big kick to the jaw. Ricochet hits a German suplex. He bridges into the cover but Cedric kicks out. Ricochet now goes up top but Shelton provides a distraction. Ricochet now flies but Cedric moves out of the way. Cedric now hits the Michinoku driver. He tries to put Ricochet away but he kicks out. Cedric now hits the Lumbar Check and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
***After the match, MVP and Shelton hold up Cedric’s hand. Retribution then says they are the product of empty promises and lies. They then tell that they walk with eyes wide open. They then talk about a garbage entity. They talk about being in the performance center and how they thought it would lead them to fame. They say they will show exactly who they are. They finish with we are Retribution.
Winner: Cedric Alexander
My Opinion:
This was a big win for Cedric and probably a must-win for him as he starts with the Hurt Business. Cedric really looked resourceful in this one and I liked how he was able not only to his high impact moves but also mat wrestling for some of this. Cedric proved he can be a real threat in the ring and I hope now he has the platform to take that to the top. Even if his stint here is short this could still be a springboard to a championship in the future. As for Retribution, I still think what they are saying is too wordy and just makes it sound like they’re reaching to be scary and it’s not working. We know they are a part of WWE somehow so it’s time we see more of them and see who they are and what they can do in the ring.

Backstage Segment: Mickie James
Sara asks Mickie what emotion fuels her tonight. Mickie says she loves this business and she has given everything to it. She says she loves how it drives her to be the best everyday and she loves how someone like Asuka brings out the best in her. Mickie says with experience comes wisdom and with wisdom comes clarity. She says she sees she always had what it took to be the Raw Women’s Champion but what fuels her tonight is that this might be her last opportunity to become Raw Women’s Champion.

Backstage Segment: Adam Pearce & The Hurt Business (MVP & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
Adama Pearce asks the security why this happens every week and why they can’t stop this. MVP tells Adam that he heard if he doesn’t get this under control this could be his job. Adam says with all due respect that isn’t any of his business. Lashley says it is if he says it is. MVP says it is time to upgrade from boys to men with real security with himself, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander. Adam Pearce says you’re right. He then thanks them for volunteering. MVP and the rest of the Hurt Business laugh at this and say they don’t volunteer, they’re not a charity.

Match 3: Asuka (c) vs Mickie James:
Raw Women’s Championship Match
The match starts off slow as the two try to feel things out. Asuka works a headlock and gets in control. James fights back and hits a neck breaker. She covers but Asuka kicks out. James now goes to a submission of her own and keeps Asuka grounded on the mat. On their feet, no James hits her with big knee strikes. Asuka comes back with a knee of her own. She covers James but she kicks out. Asuka now looks for the hip attack but James moves out of the way. She then hits her with the Mick Kick but Asuka is able to roll out of the ring as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Asuka has James in the corner. James is able to fight back now but she can’t take much advantage. Asuka now hits the hip attack. James fights back and plants Asuka. She kicks up and now goes up top. Asuka stops her and knocks her down on the top turnbuckle. James is able to knock down Asuka. James flies and connects with double knee but Asuka kicks out. Asuka now tries to cover but James kicks out. The two now trade strikes before Asuka lands a huge back fist.
Asuka has her down and lands a big kick. She comes off the ropes but James catches her. She now works a single leg Boston Crab. James fights out of a cover attempt. She now connects with a strike and covers Asuka but Asuka grabs the rope to break the cover. Asuka now is able to get in control and work an armbar. James is able to fight out after the move was wrenched on for a while. James fights back but Asuka now gets the Asuka Lock on. the ref now calls for the bell. The ref says Mickie could no longer continue so Asuka is still the Raw Women’s Champion.
***After the match, Zelina Vega then makes her way to the ring. Vega says she has been thinking about her future and it dawned on her that she has wasted years of her career managing those selfish ingrates. She then tells Asuka she is an ingrate and tells how Asuka has been reckless with the title. She tells how Asuka is focused on the superstars of yesterday and not focused on one of the best today. Vega then says don’t ask if I’m ready for Asuka. She says she is ready for that (the Raw Women’s Championship). Vega then hits Asuka with a big slap. She then rolls out of the ring before Asuka can retaliate.
Winner: Raw Women’s Champion
My Opinion:
A great match between these two but it had a bad ending. Obviously, we don’t know what happened there at the end but it didn’t seem like the definitive ending they would have liked. I loved how these two went hold for hold. They pulled out everything they had and you could see there was a struggle and want to win this championship. I would have liked to see Mickie have a few more big moves in this one. Mickie could have walked away still looking like a threat for the title but instead, she fell like everyone else. This is a match I would love to see again someday and I do still hope Mickie gets one more run with a title. She would be a Women’s Champion anywhere so I’m not sure why it hasn’t happened this go around. Finally, I love Zelina Vega stepping up for the title. I’ve wanted this to happen for a long time and I really think she can make a great run with the title. She deserves the opportunity and I hope big things happen for her!

Backstage Segment: Keith Lee
Charly welcomes Kieth Lee and says she assumes he is happy for his opportunity tonight. Lee says he is and talks about how big it is to fight for the WWE Championship. He tells how he and Drew have been honest that they will face someday. He talks about the match and then says he doesn’t want to take advantage of his friend’s injury but to come here and become WWE Champion he will do what he must.

Match 4: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP (On Commentary) vs Erik
Lashley gets Erik in the corner and he hammers on him with big kicks. Lashley stays on him with more strikes and gets Erik down. Erik fights back with big right hands. He backs Lashley into the corner now. Lashley tries to come back but Erik now takes him down with double knees. Erik lays him out with a back elbow. He covers but Lashley kicks out. Lashley fights back and works the gut wrench to plant Erik face first. He covers Erik but he kicks out. Lashley now looks for the Full Nelson. He takes Erik to the mat and keeps the hold in. Erik taps out to the Hurt Lock.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
My Opinion:
A quick match between these two but it again showed how dominant Bobby Lashly is. I hope these performances continue for Bobby and he can keep showing what he is made of. I still don’t get how he hasn’t had the WWE title since being back and that is something that needs to change. Lashley is just too good and with what he can do in the ring he can go toe to toe with anyone. Bring on more Bobby Lashley and give him bigger opportunities because he will run with it!

Backstage Segment: Kevin Owens
Sara asks Kevin why Aleister Black developed a personal vendetta against him. Owens says he doesn’t know if he said something on the KO Show a few weeks ago. He jokes it might be because he lost a coupon to Hot Topic. He then says it might be because he sat in a dark room asking for someone to knock and fight him but hardly anyone cared to do so. Owens talks about their match tonight and says he wants to beat Aleister to the point where he remembers this fight every day. Owen says he doesn’t know how he will do anything of these things because he is Kevin Owens. Aleister Black comes into frame and stares down Owens after he walks away.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon & Braun Strowman
Shane tells how Aleister Black and Kevin Owens were fantastic last week. He then tells the security guard to wait until tonight. Braun Strowman tells him to get out of his way. He says he knows there is some poor son of a bitch on the other side of the door that he can cave his head in. He tells Shane to move out of his way unless he wants to be in his path of destruction. He then tells Shane to tell his best fighter to be ready because he will knock his teeth out.

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins & Murphy
Murphy comes in to see Seth. Seth asks him where he has been and tells him he has been waiting for him to come see him all night. Murphy tries to explain last week but Seth cuts him off and says he totally understands that they ganged up on him. He says they have to look to the future and tonight he is locked in a cage with Dominik Mysterio with no one coming in or out.
He says this is a perfect opportunity to teach a young man and the world a lesson. He then tells Murphy he has an important role for him and he needs to be ready. He asks Murphy if he is ready. Rollins then grabs him by the face and shoves him against the locker. He tells him his role is to stay back here so he doesn’t have to deal with his stupid mistakes. He then asks him if he understands him. Murphy says yes sir. Rollins then asks him again and Murphy repeats that. Rollins then says, good.

Backstage Segment: The Mysterio Family (Dominik, Rey, Aalyah, Angie)
Charly asks Dominik his thoughts ahead of his match. Dominik says if he wants to follow his dreams and follow in his dad’s footsteps he has to take risks. Rey says he thinks he and Angie are more concerned. He talks about how Dominik has shown he can stand on his own. He tells about his experiences in steel cages. He then tells that maybe after all Seth has done to the Mysterio family it might be Seth who should be worried about walking into this match.

Match 5: Dominik Mysterio w/ The Mysterio Family (Rey, Aalyah, Angie) vs Seth Rollins
Steel Cage Match
Rollins lands a kick and then beats on the back of Dominik. He pounds on him all the way to the mat. Dominik fights back off the ropes and hits a side Russian leg sweep. Dominik again is able to take down Rollins but he isn’t able to put him away on the cover. Dominik tries to escape but now Rollins gets a kendo stick from Murphy on the outside. Rollins hits Dominik. He then bounces him off the steel as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins keeps Dominik down. He taunts him in front of his family no. Dominik turns it around and sends Rollins into the cage. Dominik goes up top but Rollins catches him. Dominik fights back and sends Rollins into the cage. Rey now gives Dominik a kendo stick. Dominik unloads on Rollins. He then sends Rollins into the cage. He hits a powerbomb and covers but Rollins kicks out. Rollins now picks Dominik out of the air. He tries to send him into the cage but Dominik holds on and climbs the cage. Rollins meets him up there.
Dominik bounces Rollins off the cage. Rollins then hangs up Dominik on the ropes. Dominik then is able to do the same to Rollins. Both men are down. The door is open now and Dominik crawls to it. Rey tries to help but he is stopped by Murphy who takes him out. Murphy now accidentally closes the door in the face of Rollins. Murphy now tries to stop Dominik from escaping. Dominik now sends Murphy off the cage. Dominik hits a huge frog splash and goes for the cover.
Rollins kicks out. Dominik now gets up and climbs the cage. Rollins gets up and stops him from escaping. Dominik knocks him down and continues to climb. Rollins again stops him and now hits the suplex followed by the falcon arrow. He covers but again Dominik kicks out. Rollins now taunts the Mysterio Family again. Dominik goes for the roll-up but Rollins kicks out. Rollins now hits Dominik with a Stomp. He then hits him with another Stomp. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
***After the match, Rollins sends Murphy into the barricade. He then sends him into the cage. He asks Murphy when he will learn to do what he told him to do. He then sends Murphy into the cage door again. He then asks how that feels and says it sucks, he knows because it was done to him. Rollins then tells Angie hell of a job you did, hope she turns out better.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
Another impressive performance by Dominik, Rollins is really doing well in there with him and it shows how much Dominik is learning. Dominik still has a long way to go but there is a ton of respect for him jumping in like this and giving all he’s got. I don’t think this rivalry is over just yet and I would like to see Dominik get the big win over Seth but right didn’t feel like the right time. I think Seth needs to win and stay on top so he can keep adding to this rivalry. We probably will eventually see Seth go away for a while and when he does Dominik should get the big win and send him off. This then writes of Rollins and raises the stock of Dominik who if he stays on this track will be in a good position when the time comes.

Raw Underground: Dolph Ziggler & Riddick Moss & Braun Strowman
Shane welcomes everyone to Raw Underground. We see Dolph Ziggler in the ring. He has trouble at first but he fights back and gets his opponent down. He works a submission and makes his opponent tap. Riddick Moss now gets in the ring with Dolph. Dolph grabs him by the leg. Riddick fights it off. Dolph goes after the leg again. Riddick fights it off again. He takes down Dolph and fires away with strikes. Dolph fights out of it and works a headlock. The hold is broken and now the two trade strikes. Braun Strowman now gets Dolph out of the way and goes after Riddick. He slams him down and then slams down Dolph.

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre & Keith Lee
Charly tells Drew how Keith said he will do whatever it takes to win. She then brings up his fractured jaw but Drew cuts her off. He says he hopes Keith would do whatever it takes to win. He then brings up the match last week and says Keith was hit by an RKO and he’s not saying he wouldn’t have kicked out but Randy is a 13-time champion and if he was hit with it at SummerSlam he might not be champion. Keith comes up and tells Drew it seems like he is saying he wouldn’t have beaten Randy without him. Keith tells him it seems he is concerned he will beat him and then beat him for the WWE Championship at Clash Of Champions. Drew tells Keith not to touch him. Drew then fires back after Keith does it. Lee now fights back. The two go at it now and have to be separated.

Raw Underground: Braun Strowman & Titus O’Neil
Titus tells the security guard to let him in. Titus comes in and he goes after Braun Strowman. Titus doesn’t get much offense before Strowman grabs him in a chokehold and throws him down on the mat. Braun goes back after him but Shane breaks it up. Shane now asks who wants Braun Strowman next.

Match 6: Kevin Owens vs Aleister Black
***Before the match begins Black attacks Owens from behind.
As Raw returns, the match is underway and Owens turns things around on Black. He has him on the mat and gets a few good strikes in. Owens now works him in the corner but here comes Black fighting back and taking down Owens. He now attacks the knee of Owens and wears him down with a submission hold. Owens is able to fight him off. Black tries to come back but he is met with a kick. Owens now sends him over the top rope and to the floor.
Owens now tries to fly over the top rope but his leg gives out. Black now attacks him. Black comes in the ring and continues going after the knee. Owens hits a shot to the eye but Black stays with it. Black hits Owens with a big boot. Black now works the knee in the corner putting it on the rope and hitting it with a huge strike. Owens comes back with a right hand. Black lands an awesome takedown and works a kneebar. Owens fights back with a kick but both men are down as Owens is hurt. The lights now flicker. Owens hits a Stunner off the distraction. He covers and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Kevin Owens
My Opinion:
I enjoyed this match a lot and I liked that Aleister really picked a body part and worked on it throughout the match. I thought Aleister really showed his great skill set and I didn’t see any reason he should have lost this match. Owens is awesome and he isn’t someone you should be ashamed to lose to but if Aleister has this new mean streak I think he should have gone over. He could have beat down Owens and really made a statement. Instead, they set him back with this loss and it just doesn’t look great. Wins and loses count and this is why because now if Aleister comes out and attacks Owens you already think he can’t beat him. This could have gone much differently and I hope if they finally are ready to go with Aleister Black they will turn this around.

Backstage Segment: Drew McIntyre & Keith Lee
Lee comes up to McIntyre and says I told you I wasn’t done. Keith Lee and McIntyre go at it again and have to be separated once more. Adam Pearce tells them to stop it and says if they don’t there isn’t a match at Clash Of Champions and the match tonight is canceled. They finally stop and McIntyre walks away angry.

Match 7: The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott) vs Natalya & Lana
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax on Commentary
Natalya takes Liv down quickly after she turns her back on her. Natalya stays on her and gets her into the corner. Lana now takes it to Liv. she covers but Liv kicks out. Liv is sent into the corner but she is able to take down Natalya. Lana takes control again but not for long as Liv is able to hang her up on the ropes. Ruby and Liv now work a double team. Ruby gets the cover and the 1 2 3.
Shayna and Nia now go after Natalya and Lana. Natalya gets sent into the ring post. Shayna sends Lana to the outside. Nia now hits a Samoan Drop on Lana through the Announcer’s Table. The Riott Squad says they are ready.
Winners: The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott)
My Opinion:
Given such a short amount of time, it was hard for either of these teams to show what they can do. Ruby and Lic won it easily once they got the less experienced Lana alone. I don’t think this showed the Riott Squad as a threat and instead of Nia and Shyana proving they are threats I think it should have been the other way around. I don’t know how we can hype up a match by making it already seem like the challengers will get squashed. I know Ruby and Liv can’t intimidate Nia and Shayna but they could at least own that match in impressive fashion and not even be touched once by Natalya or Lana because of how good they were tonight.

Backstage Segment: Keith Lee
Keith Lee heads to the ring for his match against Drew McIntyre!

Raw Underground
Riddick Moss steps in against Braun Strowman but he gets dropped by a shot from Strowman immediately. Dolph and Riddick now team up and try to take down Strowman. Strowman fights back and takes them both down. Dabba’Kato now steps in. Shane stops it and tells Braun if he wants to show up next week this will be the fight next week.
My Opinion:
Overall this week Raw Underground still wasn’t as exciting as it once was. I still love the idea of it and I’m behind it but there is just something that isn’t clicking. I really think it’s just these fights happen too fast and they need to slow down the pace. Give us the same amount of time next week for Strowman and Dabba as you would an actual match. This to me would get over much more. I think also you could use the Underground as a place for fights to spill over such as Drew and Keith from earlier. We’ll see how next week goes but I hope it gets better because it is enjoyable for the time that we do get it.

Match 8: Drew Mcintyre vs Keith Lee
If Keith Lee wins he will face Drew McIntyre at C.O.C if Randy Orton can’t compete.
Lee backs McIntyre into the corner and he buries his shoulder into his midsection. Lee misses on the corner now as McIntyre moves. Lee now hits McIntyre in the jaw. He then sends him over the top rope as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, McIntyre fights back and tries to get on the offensive, off the ropes McIntyre knocks Lee down. Lee is back to his feet. Lee now is met with a headbutt from McIntyre. McIntyre then lands a big throw of Keith Lee. McIntyre goes up top and flies knocking down Lee. McIntyre now looks for the Future Shock DDT but Lee fights out. McIntyre stays with it and plants Lee on the mat with a sunset flip. He tries to put him away but Lee stays in it.
Lee now fights back and takes down McIntyre with a huge clothesline. He covers but McIntyre kicks out. McIntyre hits Lee in the gut and knocks him down. McIntyre goes up top but Lee hits him and slows him up. Lee goes up to the second rope to meet McIntyre. Lee now hits the huge suplex. Lee covers but McIntyre kicks out. Both men are on their feet. McIntyre hits a kick and then a chop. Both men now come off the ropes and crash into each other. Retribution now surrounds the ring. They storm the ring and attack McIntyre and Lee. Lee and McIntyre are laid out but Retribution keeps beating on them. Now here comes The Hurt Business. Retribution calls them down and the fight is on. Lee and McIntyre then assist as they fly over the ropes and take every out as Raw goes to break.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
A hard-hitting contest to end the night and I love seeing matches like this. Drew and Keith both go out there trying to be the best and it shows with their effort in that ring. I do think there is a lot of untapped potential in Keith Lee and if he gets the chance to really be as dominant as he could be he would run any show that he is on. I do want to see these two faces again and I think Keith could be the guy who could take the title from Drew if they build him up the right way. Either way, this will be a fun rivalry for a long time to come. For Retribution, I was glad to see them finally get taken care of. I really want them to get more involved if they are going to do something because right now they just aren’t as interesting as they once were. We will see how this plays out as the weeks continue on.

Final Thoughts:
A solid night for Raw as we push forward to Clash Of Champions. First, I loved the match between Dominik and Seth. I really love the heart Dominik is showing and in due time he will finally get the big win. This story has kept my interest and I can’t wait for what’s next. Also, I like the Women’s Raw Championship Match. Mickie really gave it her best shot but Asuka continues to be unstoppable. I wish the finish could have been better but they still gave us a decent match. I loved what happened afterward as Zelina Vega finally got to step-up. I hope she does challenge for the title and finally can show what she can do in the ring! Next, Raw Underground was okay again this week but it wasn’t anything too crazy, I think again they need to slow it down more and give the segment more time and give it more meaning.
Then, what we saw from The Hurt Business was phenomenal. I absolutely love this group and what they stand for. They are entertaining in all aspects and I hope they continue to be the faces of Raw each week. They get it done in the ring, on the mic, on commentary, and overall just being an awesome group who can take down anyone. Finally, with Drew McIntyre taking on Randy Orton I really want this to happen in an Ambulance Match. I think it will be very entertaining and it is a perfect match for these two after what’s happened. I loved our main event tonight, I could watch Keith and Drew every day and I hope we see it again soon. As for Retribution, they finally got a taste of their own medicine but I hope we start to see things pick up with them as they haven’t done much lately. Overall it was a good night, stay safe and healthy this week. Enjoy NXT and SmackDown!
Overall Rating: 5/10