Raw Review 09/19/2019

RAW REVIEW 08/19/2019

The tournament that has made legends returns tonight as the first round of The King of the Ring returns with two first-round matches of Cesaro vs Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander vs Sami Zayn. Plus, after a series of cryptic tweets what will Rey Mysterio have to say when he addresses the WWE Universe? Sasha Banks returned with a vengeance but what will she have to say about her actions when she appears on a special edition of The King’s Court? Also, Elias is set to give his farewell performance but will his last performance on Raw go smoothly or be interrupted once again? Finally, can Braun Strowman overcome The O.C.’s numbers game and defeated AJ Styles one on one for the United States Championship?

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Raw comes to us from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Jerry “The King” Lawler

Match 1: Dolph Ziggler vs Roman Reigns 
Before the match, Ziggler tells Reigns that he’s not some twitter keyboard warrior like wrestling fans. He wants to tell him man to man he’s glad he is okay with all that’s happened to him. He says he just doesn’t get why Reigns is getting all the attention for this. He then asks Reigns if he knows what it’s like to be speared by Goldberg 3 times. He says he thought Goldberg had to wait 6 months between spears. He says he has a DZ wannabe chasing him and he had Maryse’s husband beat him last week. He then says everyone knows it should be him, he then floors Reigns with a Superkick.
Reigns moves out of the corner as the match starts and hits him with a right hand. Ziggler goes to the outside and Reigns meets him out there but misses as he comes off the steps and Ziggler sends him into the barricade. Ziggler hits a Zig Zag on the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ziggler has Reigns in a headlock. Reigns gets to his feet and Ziggler breaks the hold going after the leg of Reigns. Reigns buys time in the corner sending Ziggler to the floor. Reigns goes out there and hits on the drive-by. He brings Ziggler into the ring and hits him with a huge clothesline. Reigns fires up and hammers with more clotheslines in the corner. Off the ropes, Reigns connects with a huge boot. Ziggler gets to his feet and avoids the Superman Punch. He rolls up Reigns but can’t get the 3. He then hits a DDT but it still isn’t enough to end the match. Ziggler looks for the Zig Zag but Reigns hangs onto the ropes. Ziggler tries another cover but again a kick out. Ziggler stays on the offensive as he moves out of the way and Reigns crashes into the corner. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag again and goes for the cover but still can’t pick up the win. Ziggler lines up the Superkick but misses on the delivery and Reigns catches him. Out of nowhere Reigns hits the Superman Punch. Reigns goes for the cover and gets a nearfall. Reigns looks for the spear but Ziggler counters into the Famouser. Another cover and another kick out for Reigns. As Reigns is on the ground Ziggler taunts him. Ziggler runs at Reigns but Reigns comes hot out of the corner and flattens Ziggler with the spear. Reigns goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Roman Reigns 
My Opinion: 
A very solid match to open the night and a great showing for Ziggler even though he didn’t get the win. He hung with Reigns and threw all he had at him but Reigns is not an easy guy to put away. Reigns showed his dominance tonight and how it takes him a few moves and mistakes to put anyone away. With so much on his mind, this was a great win for Reigns and now we focus the attention on tomorrow to see who this mystery attacker is.

Backstage Segment:
Becky Lynch tells how Sasha beat her silly with a chair last week. She says everyone wants to know why. Why she keeps calling everyone out. She says she wants everyone at their best and most aggressive. She wants to fight them at their peak and that’s where Sasha is at. She asks what Sasha did during her 4-month vacation that made her so hot, she says she did nothing but she did. Lynch says Sasha is the greatest woman on the roster to never be great. She tells her she put more work to bringing Sasha into WWE then she did. She tells her when she gets her she is going to give her something to run home and cry about.

The King’s Court: Sasha Banks 
King says judging from what we just saw it looks like Becky Lynch will looking for retribution on his guest tonight. He says before we get to that he needs to talk about The King of the Ring. He tells of the legends who have won this tournament and tells how over the next few weeks 16 of the top WWE SuperStars will battle it out in the ring to be The King of the Ring. He then shows he bracket before making his pick. King says from the Raw side he thinks it will come down to Cedric Alexander and Ricochet. The lights then start going down and King says no I’ve seen this before I’m getting out of here. The lights go black and then a spotlight comes on King. The Fiend comes from behind and puts the Mandible Claw on King. the lights come back on and King is laid out on the ramp.
My Opinion:
Well, we didn’t get answers from Sasha but it’s clear why she did what she did and that’s to get to the top so we didn’t really need to hear the spiel right now and can save it for later tonight. This turned into a great segment given the fact that again The Fiend put down a legend and walks away with the crowd firmly behind him. This character is becoming huge and I like how they are having him randomly show up. It builds the suspense of when he will strike and ultimately creates an ominous character that will carry Bray Wyatt to the top.

***King is undergoing a medical evaluation and Vic Joseph has replaced him on commentary. An update is expected later.

Match 2: Ricochet & The Miz vs Drew Mcintyre & Baron Corbin 
Miz gets around on Mcintyre but is quickly hit and Mcintyre goes on the offensive. Ricochet gets the tag and takes ut Mcintyre as he comes off the ropes. Miz comes back in and they take it to Mcintyre trading shots before Ricochet hits a standing moonsault. They then send Corbin to the outside and Miz is sent out there by an Irish whip from Ricochet to take both of them out. Ricochet then lands a moonsault to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Miz hammers on Corbin with rights. Corbin runs over Miz and then unloads on him as Miz is down on the mat. Mcintyre tags in and backs Miz into the corner before hitting an overhead belly to belly. A cover and a kick out from Mcintyre. Mcintyre then works the arm of Miz. Miz tries to fight out but again is knocked down by Mcintyre. Corbin tags in and continues toying with Miz. Miz tries to fight out of the corner but is hit with a shot to the throat. Mcintyre tags in and hits a spine buster on Miz. Mcintyre goes for the cover but again Miz kicks out. Miz comes back with a DDT and both men are down. Ricochet and Corbin get the tags and Ricochet takes it to Corbin. He lays him out and knocks Mcintyre to the ground. Corbin comes back but ricochet doesn’t allow much offense and hits him with a kick. A cover and a kick out from Corbin. Ricochet again knocks down Corbin and hits a moonsault but the cover is broken up by Mcintyre. Mcintyre lays out Miz with a boot and then tosses Ricochet. Ricochet hits Mcintyre with a huge kick and Miz finishes him off with a Skull Crushing Finale. Ricochet fights off Corbin but only for a moment as Corbin hits the Deep 6. Corbin covers but Ricochet kicks out. Corbin puts Ricochet on the top rope but Ricochet fights him off and hits a dropkick. Ricochet then misses in the corner but is pulled away by Miz and Corbin crashes. Ricochet hits the recoil and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: The Miz & Ricochet 
My Opinion: 
A huge momentum-building win for Miz and Ricochet as they head into their first-round matches of KOTR next week. Ricochet is so impressive and it’s amazing how he keeps coming back no matter how many times he is taken down. I still see Mcintyre as the most dominant but Ricochet definitely makes a case of his own to be the top guy. I think both Ricochet and Mcintyre proved in this match that they could be KOTR. for Miz and Corbin, they looked good but didn’t deliver quite as well as their partners.

Backstage Segment:
Sasha Banks heads for a sit down to explain her actions from last week.

Booker T Via Skype:
Cole brings up how King was the latest HOF to fall victim to The Fiend. Booker says Wyatt is like a rabid dog right now and you can put him down or just run. Cole then tells how Booker won the KOTR and asks what it means to his career. He says he thinks of King Harley Race and King Savage and says it’s something that puts the exclamation point on your name and brings your career to new heights. Cole then asks Booker who he thinks will win. He says his pick would be King-Drew, Drew Mcintyre.

Match 3: Braun Strowman vs AJ Styles(c) w/ The O.C. (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows)
United States Championship Match
Styles takes a cheap shot on Strowman but Strowman comes right back at him and Styles has to go to the outside to regroup. He comes to the outside and chases Styles but Styles cuts him off and hammers on him on the apron. Strowman grabs him but Styles fights off and lands a kick. Strowman fights it off and lands a backdrop. He then takes down Gallows and Anderson. He runs at Styles in the corner but is hit with a boot. Styles tries to fly but is swatted out of the air. Strowman lifts Styles but is then hit with a boot from Gallows. Anderson then joins in on beating up Strowman. Gallows and Anderson continue the beatdown sending him into the post. Here comes Seth Rollins! Rollins takes out Anderson and then hits Gallows with a Superkick before hitting Anderson with one. He then sends Gallows to the floor. He and Strowman then shake hands Rollins says it looks like we’re even.
Winner: Braun Strowman: Via DQ
My Opinion:
Strowman definitely looked like he could have won the belt tonight but unfortunately, The O.C. took over again. Rollins makes the save but it’s odd that two guys are taking out The O.C. when they’re labeled as so dominant. Hopefully, for Strowman he will get another shot at the title without interference. For Rollins, as Universal Champion, he better hope he stays out of the line of fire of The O.C. because when it’s three on one they seem to be unstoppable.

Backstage Segment:
Samoa Joe heads to the ring for his first-round match in the KOTR tournament.

Backstage Segment: 
Rollins tells Strowman he sees where this is going and says he saw the way he looked at his Universal title. He tells him if it was up to him he would be the next opponent for his title. Strowman questions this. Rollins says it is right but first, they need to even the odds and he wants to go make it official for him and Strowman to face Gallows and Anderso for the Raw Tag Team titles tonight. He asks Strowman if he is in and he grunts. Rollins says a man of few words I like that, I’ll let you know.

Match 4: Samoa Joe vs Cesaro: KOTR First Round Match
Cesaro hits Joe with a huge uppercut and goes for the cover but Joe kicks out. He tries a suplex but Joe fights out and hits Cesaro with big strikes. Cesaro fights back but is then taken down by a back elbow from Joe. Cesaro again comes back flying in the air to take out Joe. He looks for the swing but Joe fights out and hits him with a chop. Joe chops him and Cesaro goes to the outside. Joe flies to the outside and sends Cesaro over the barricade as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Joe is still in control and goes to work on the neck of Cesaro. Cesaro is brought to his feet and knocked back down by Joe. off the ropes Joe misses on the senton. Cesaro looks to get back into it and does with an uppercut in the corner. He then unloads on Joe with more close-range uppercuts. He then hits a boot and goes for the cover but Joe kicks out. Cesaro looks for a suplex but can’t lift Joe. he tries it again and hits it this time. Cesaro goes for the cover but again Joe kicks out. Joe fights back with chops but Cesaro knocks him down and Joe goes outside. Cesaro meets him out there and runs around the ring to hit an uppercut. Joe is brought into the ring and Cesaro hits him with a  crossbody. A cover and another kick out by Joe. Joe comes back with a uranage. This time the senton connects but it is not enough to put Cesaro away. Cesaro hits him with an uppercut and then goes swinging with Joe. He looks for the Sharpshooter and locks it in. He then turns to the cross face but Joe fights out. Cesaro gets caught and Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch. Cesaro taps.
Winner: Samoa Joe: Advances to Second Round of KOTR 
My Opinion: 
A great heavy-hitting match between these two, wow. It was physical and could have gone either way but Cesaro made one mistake and lost his chances at KOTR. Joe is dangerous and whoever has to face him next is not going to have an easier task. Joe isn’t going to take well to being tested that much by Cesaro so expect him to come back with a vengeance in the next round.

In-Ring Segment: Elias Farewell Performance
Before Elias begins his performance a video is shown of him beating up Drake Maverick in a recording studio last week. Elias is in the ring but continues to experience technical difficulties. He says due to the KOTR and being 24/7 Champion he can’t afford to be out here every week. He says he is going to play one last ballet. Elias asks the tech guy for a new guitar. He is given the guitar but the tech guy is actually R-Truth and the other is a ref. Truth tries two pins but Elias kicks out. Truth hits a huge scissors kick but Elias kicks out again. Truth then grabs the guitar and looks to hit Elias but Elias is able to escape out of the ring.
My Opinion: 
We didn’t get the farewell performance we were expecting but for Elias the games of having to run and defend the 24/7 title continues. He escapes tonight but you know a lot of people are out to get him and take that title. As always we just sit back and see who tries to come and capture the gold next.

Backstage Segment:
Rey Mysterio to address the WWE Universe next.

Backstage Segment: 
Charly goes over the past week with Mysterio and brings up how he said there might be something going on with his family. Mysterio thanks Charly for the time and says he has been a very fortunate man with a beautiful family and a wonderful career. He says he has been wrestling since he can remember. He tells how things haven’t gone his way and says what Andrade did was a disgrace. He says when he is in the ring he can see what his next move is but his body doesn’t respond. He says he fears now his injuries have finally caught up to him. Rey says he knows this day has to come to everyone at some point but he didn’t expect it would come to him. He says he understands it is time to hang up this mask and let this new generation of superstars make their way in. his son Dominick comes up and tells him he said when he debuted he would do it with him as his partner. He says he wants to tell his children he was a partner with their grandfather the great Rey Mysterio. He tells him to stay in WWE and he will make him proud. He tells he will do it for him because he loves him.

Match 5: The New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E) vs The Revival
Big E takes down Dawson with a clothesline and then spears him in the corner. Off the ropes, he hits him with an elbow and then tries a cover but can’t get the 3. Woods tags in and takes it to Dawson in the corner. Big E then adds a shot of his own. Woods tries a cover but Dawson kicks out. Dawson fights back and Wilder comes in and Woods is hit with knees to the face. Wilder hammers on him and then sends him into the corner. He then sends him into the opposite corner but Woods hits him with a kick. Dawson tries to get involved but Big E helps out Woods and they send The Revival to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Woods fights Wilder off the turnbuckles. Dawson tries his hand and he is knocked down as well. Dawson is then hit with a dropkick. Big E gets the tag and tosses Wilder and then does the same to Dawson. Once more to wilder and E is in control. He lands a huge splash and builds momentum. Big E lifts him but Dawson distracts sending Woods to the outside. Big E stays on Wilder and comes off the ropes but from out of nowhere comes Randy Orton who hits him with an RKO. Kofi Kingston then runs out from the back and takes it to The Revival and Orton. Orton is able to come back and hit Kofi with an RKO. Woods comes in to help and he fights off Orton for a moment until The Revival lift him and allow Orton to hit an RKO. The Revival then lock up the leg of Woods. Orton drags Kofi over and makes him watch Wilder fly and stomp on the leg of Woods. The Revival and Orton then celebrate.
Winners: The New Day: Via DQ 
My Opinion:
Wow, this a vicious Randy Orton and he is coming for more than just the WWE Championship. He seems to want to destroy everything that Kofi loves and Kofi is beaten down more than he ever has been since winning the championship. Kofi really needs to do something or Orton is going to severely hurt him and the ones around him.

Sasha Banks:
Cole tells how Sasha’s return last week was one of the most shocking and controversial in company history. He then asks her to explain her actions. She says last week she looked in the mirror and she told herself blue is your color and look at this. She says it is time for her to show up and show out. She looks good and feels even better. Cole says no one is talking about your blue air but they are talking about how you came back for the first time since WrestleMania and her attack on Natalya and Becky Lynch. He says they will thank her for addressing those issues, especially the attacks on Natalya and Becky Lynch. Banks says you’re welcome and walks off.
My Opinion:
I liked the way Sasha handled this and kept it short and about her and didn’t talk about her actions. There really isn’t a need and the more she leaves it up for interpretation the more heat she will have. Sasha simply is her to win and take the top spot she wants and as a heel, Sasha is going to do great things. This is the person she is designed to be and the sky’s the limit for her. It would have been nice for them to do something big with her again this week to keep her hype up but hopefully next week there is more for her.

*** The King has been examined and has left the arena under supervision. He is said to be shaken up and more updates should come throughout the week. There should also be an update on Xavier Woods at some point.

Match 6: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs Fire & Desire (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville)
Cross and Deville start the match but Cross can’t mount much offense and tags Bliss. Deville gets Bliss down and tries a cover but bliss kicks out. Deville tries another cover but gets another near fall. She then hits her with a kick and tags Rose. they double team her and Bliss is dropped to the mat. Rose tries a cover but she can’t put her away either. Rose hits her with a slap and stays on the offensive. Rose hits a dropkick and then drops Bliss to the mat with a knee. A cover and another kick out. Cross takes a cheap shot and Rose goes after her dropping her on the floor. Bliss then hits a dropkick dropping Rose on the floor. Bliss brings her into the ring and tries a cover but Rose kicks out at 2. Rose is brought into the corner and Cross is sent into her. Bliss then hits a slap. Cross then gets her on the mat and shakes Rose all around. Cross throws her into the corner and tags Bliss. Bliss sends Cross into her. Rose comes back with a huge knee. Cross tags in and so does Deville. A series of right hands from Deville and more strikes to follow to take down Cross. Cross is sent off the ropes but then hits a kick. She then sends Rose into the post. Deville hits a spine buster and then takes care of Bliss. The distraction allows Cross to hit a neck breaker and she gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winners: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
My Opinion:
Rose and Deville looked really good at some points in this match but they were beaten pretty easily. If they want to be contenders for the titles they have to learn how to put it away. They look impressive at times but never quite do their job of winning. For Bliss and Cross, the success continues and this is huge considering they are in matches each week and will have to defend the titles a lot more than the Iconics did.

Backstage Segment:
Rollins and tells Strowman how if Styles gets involved they don’t win the titles. Strowman stares at the Universal title. Rollins tells him to follow his lead and they might walk out of here as Raw Tag Team Champions. Strowman tells him to follow his lead and they will leave here as the Raw Tag Team Champions.

Match 7: Cedric Alexander vs Sami Zayn: KOTR First Round Match
Zayn gets around on Alexander and is then able to hammer on him. He hits him with a vicious clothesline and tries a cover but Alexander kicks out. Another cover and another kick out. Zayn then works him on the ropes. Alexander comes back with a chop but Zayn stops the momentum with a backbreaker. Zayn then works a headlock on Alexander. Alexander fights off but he is then slammed and Zayn goes for the cover, Alexander kicks out. Zayn then goes back to the submission wearing down Alexander. Alexander fights back and hits Zayn with big chops. Zayn though hits him with an elbow. Alexander flies through the air to take him down. Alexander hits a takedown and then follows with a dropkick. Zayn is sent to the outside and Alexander flies to take him out on the floor. Back in the ring, Alexander hits him a huge enziguri. Alexander hits the Lumbar Check and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Cedric Alexander: Advances to the Second Round of KOTR
My Opinion:
A huge win for Alexander! This is arguably one of the biggest wins of his WWE career and the wins could keep getting bigger. Alexander was very impressive and put Zayn way quickly which help save him for the next round. Alexander has a lot to prove and this is a start of it. He is someone who is very talented in the ring and deserves the opportunity to excel so hopefully, this is the start of him showing exactly what he is made of!

Backstage Segment:
The Street Profits are backstage and Ford says his bracket is looking good, he is 2 for 2. Dawkins says his bracket is already busted because he had Cesaro going to the finale. They then go over the next proceeding KOTR first-round matches. Dawkins then asks why they don’t make a KOTR for tag teams. Ford says they are already kings. They then bring up the tag title match for later tonight and say that match is next.

Backstage Segment:
Anderson tells Gallows this is not fair. Gallows says they have done nothing to earn this match. Styles says this is the opportunity to show the greatness of The O.C. and show the Universal champion and The Monster among Men are no match for them.

Backstage Segment:
Natalya says it has been one week since she has bared her soul to everyone on Raw. She says between her match and the one year passing of her father she expected this to be an emotional week but she did not expect Sasha Banks. She tells how Sasha was one of her closest friends and she can’t wrap her head around what happened. She then tells how she saw Sasha today and she was smirking. Sasha then attacks and lays out Natalya. Sasha tells her to go to hell Nattie and tell your father I said hi.

Match 8: Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman vs The O.C. (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows w/ AJ Styles) (c): Raw Tag Team Championship Match  
Strowman takes it to Gallows and pounds on him in the corner. He then levels him and drops him to the mat. Rollins comes in and works the arm of Gallows. Gallows fights him off and hits him with a right. Andeson comes in and continues the punishment to the midsection of Rollins. Rollins fights back and is able to land a big kick to Anderson. Rollins works the arm of Anderson and then hits Gallows with a knee. He then dropkicks Anderson to the floor. On the outside, Rollins tries to fight off both but it catches up to him and he is sent off the barricade not once but twice as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Anderson has control of Rollins arm. Rollins attempts to fight back but is hit with a kick. Rollins fights back for a moment but is hit with a spine buster. Rollins is brought to the top turnbuckle and hit by Anderson. Anderson looks for a suplex but Rollins hangs on and knocks Anderson to the mat. Rollins lands a kick and then hits the blockbuster. Gallows tags in and stops Rollins from getting the tag. He then uses the ropes to choke Rollins. Gallows goes after Strowman on the outside as Strowman was backing up Styles. Rollins hits a superkick on Gallows and then a sling blade on Anderson. He takes it to both of them and sends Gallows to the outside. He then flies to take down Gallows. He hits a falcon arrow on Anderson but gets a 2 on the cover. Anderson sends Rollins to the apron but Rollins fights him off and tries to go to the top but Styles pushes him off. Gallows and Anderson double team Rollins and drop him to the mat. Gallows goes for the cover but Rollins kicks out. Gallows and Anderson look for the Magic Killer but Rollins fights out. Anderson then hits him from behind. Anderson tosses him to the floor and Gallows grabs him. Strowman takes out Styles and then Gallows. Rollins is in the ring and is able to tag Strowman. Strowman levels Anderson over and over. He lands a splash in the corner and then runs Gallows inside out. Strowman hits the powerslam and Rollins takes out styles with a Stomp. Strowman goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 to win the tag titles!!!!
Winners: Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman: New Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
That was an awesome finish to Raw! I loved that unpredictability and it is so cool to see Rollins and Strowman holding the gold now. This is good for The O.C. because it gives them a reason to turn up the volume and become more dangerous. For Strowman and Rollins they stand tall and it is great to see Strowman hold some gold again! For Rollins, he continues to be the man and rack up those title victories!

Final Thoughts:
This was a solid Raw, we had some great developments and a lot of entertaining matches. First off, congrats to Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander for advancing in the KOTR. They both pulled off impressive victories and had great matches which is one of the things I love about this tournament because it always brings out the best in people. I loved the segment with The Fiend, I thought it was perfect for him to lay out King and after him being off Raw last week and it heightens the suspense of the fact that you never know when he will strike. The Sasha Banks stuff was pretty good as well, obviously she didn’t give much of an explanation but like I said she didn’t really need to. The attack on Natalya though was great, she has to keep this edge and continuing making herself a threat not just tp Lynch but to everyone. Randy Orton continues to lay out Kofi and The New Day and this is no doubt the most vulnerable Kofi has been. There is no telling what Orton is going to do and it’s awesome watching how vicious The Viper can get. Another thing the Rey Mysterio segment was very heartfelt and I’m excited to see him continue and see what happens when Dominick steps in the ring! Finally, to end the night, we had a huge title change and it was awesome! Rollins is my guy and I love seeing the success he has. It’s also amazing to see Strowman hold gold again as he deserves it. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds! Overall it was a good show tonight there is a lot to look forward in the coming weeks!
Overall Rating: 7/10