Raw Review 09/24/2018

Last week The Shield held strong and took out Baron Corbin, Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew Mcintyre. This week can they continue to hold it together and make it to Super Show-Down before somebody gets to them? Plus, it’s a huge opportunity for The Revival tonight as they get a shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships against Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler. Also, with Nia Jax returning last week and an already angry Ronda Rousey after her, how will Alexa Bliss continue to hold them off? The Bella’s made their return to the ring just one month ago but what will Brie and Nikki be able to do when they team with Natalya to take on the Riott Squad? Finally, after so much back and forth between Bobby Lashley and Elias what will happen when the two meet one on one?

Raw comes to us from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado

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

Backstage Segment:
Baron Corbin greets Stephanie Mcmahon and wishes her a Happy Birthday. Also stepping out is Triple H. Corbin tells her he has her office all set up for her. Stephanie tells him she can say all she needs right here. Stephanie tells him that she expected him to do the job Kurt didn’t. Corbin tells her he is trying. Stephanie questions him for giving himself a Universal Championship match. Stephanie tells him not to give excuses and says if he has a problem with The Shield to go find two partners and take them on tonight. She tells him if he doesn’t do better Kurt will be back sooner than they expected.

In Ring Segment: The Shield
Ambrose says what you are looking at are the three workhorses in WWE. Ambrose says they may have lost a few battles but they have never lost a war and they are still standing. Reigns says you could read their resumes but it’d probably take all day. He says all they have to do is this and he and Rollins hold up their titles. Reigns says these championships are the key to the kingdom, he says that’s why Lesnar came back and why Corbin put himself in a match. Rollins says it will always be about being the best. He says Strowman wanted that power so bad he recruited a group of jackasses to try to take them down but it won’t happen. Rollins tells Corbin they are out here and they’d love to show him how big a problem they can be right now. Out comes Corbin.
Corbin says Stephanie McMahon is her and it’s her Birthday. He tells them he’s not gonna let Raw erupt into madness and he’s putting his foot down. He says he and his partners will throw them around like rag dolls and he will impress his boss. He says they will show they are selfish individuals and no one in the locker room likes them let alone together. Out comes Braun, Dolph, and Drew.
Braun tells Reigns to shine that belt up cause he won’t be wearing it very long. Braun says he can already see the cracks starting to form with The Shield and it’s only a matter of time before they fall apart from the inside. Braun says it will be the three of them versus the four of us and he’s not talking about Corbin. Braun says he thinks Dean is starting to see the light. Dolph tells Dean The shield needs him but he doesn’t need The Shield. Dolph says he saw how good Dean can be and now they have everything and he has nothing. Drew tells Dean that last week he pushed him to the limit and he was lucky to come away with the victory. He tells Dean Roman and Seth don’t appreciate him and he deserves more. Dolph brings up points of how Dean has been “used” by them. Dolph says because of Dean Seth is champion and Roman is champion and he is nothing. Dolph asks how long it took for Seth to replace Dean when he was gone. He asks if Rollins even texted Dean. Dolph says he and Drew are champions and Braun is gonna win the Universal Title. Dolph says if Dean hangs with them he could be Intercontinental Champion. Reigns tells him to shut up and says these people didn’t pay their money to hear him bump his gums, they paid to watch them kick their ass. Corbin tells them this is not happening right now. Corbin tells Dolph and Drew they have to defend the titles tonight and he says he and his partners will take care of them tonight.
My Opinion:
Some very strong words from Dolph and Drew and Braun tonight. I think it’s interesting they say all this because honestly, it’s true. You can see how Dean has become the odd man out and if he was on his own he could be a champion again. I think eventually Dean will leave and go on his own. A heel Dean Ambrose could be something very special and I think the fans would love it.

Match 1: Finn Balor w/ Bayley vs Jinder Mahal w/ Alicia Fox & Sunil Singh
Mahal backs Balor in the corner and hits him with big right hands. Mahal lands a huge slam on Balor and goes to a chin lock. Mahal drives his knee in Balor. Balor gets to his feet but Mahal continues with the side headlock and brings him to the mat. Mahal lands a huge shoulder tackle and goes to a chin lock. Balor sends Mahal off the ropes and hits a huge dropkick. Balor then sends Mahal to the floor. Balor flies over the top rope and takes out Mahal as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Mahal is in control and goes back to the ribs of Balor. He then uses the ropes to choke Balor. Mahal then uses a body stretch to put more pressure on Balor. Balor fights back and lands a big dropkick. Balor lands a stomp and fights back but Mahal catches him with a boot. Balor is able to drop Mahal and tries to go to the top but Mahal gets to his feet. Balor lands a the sling blade but then gets distracted by Singh. Mahal tries a cover but Balor kicks out. Bayley then trips up Mahal. Bayley then takes down Fox on the outside. Bayley then hits the Bayley to Belly to Singh. Balor rolls up Mahal and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Mahal attacks Sunil Singh.
Winner: Finn Balor
My Opinion:
I was super impressed by Mahal tonight, I thought he really shined and took it to Balor. Balor though hung in there and showed why he is one of the best today. Bayley and Balor look like they make a great team and I can’t wait to see them together. I didn’t really know what to make of Mahal taking it to Singh but we’ll see what happens when they tag together.

Match 2: The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki) & Natalya vs The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)
Morgan and Nikki start the match and Nikki throws down Morgan. Morgan fights back but Nikki comes back with a big tackle. Nikki lands a big backbreaker and tries a cover but Morgan kicks out. Brie tags in and her and Nikki double team Morgan. Brie then his the It Kicks. Brie tries a cover but Morgan kicks out. Ruby tags and works a headlock on Brie. Brie takes it to Ruby but Ruby gets her in the corner. Brie comes back with a big dropkick. Brie hits a big knee and tries a cover but Ruby kicks out. Logan tries to help and so does Morgan but Nikki and Natalya come in and hit a triple suplex. Ruby gets back in the ring and knocks Brie to the floor as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Logan works Brie on the mat. Ruby gets the tag and takes it to Brie. Brie tries to get the tag but Ruby keeps her from it. Brie comes back with a big bulldog. Logan gets the tag and tries to take out Natalya but she is hit with a big right. Natalya gets the tag and hits a clothesline. Natalya then hits a German suplex and tries the cover but Ruby breaks it up. Natalya tries the rolls up but Logan kicks out. Ruby gets the tag but Natalya doesn’t see it. Ruby hits a big kick and then hits the Riott kick. Ruby gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan)
My Opinion:
Huge win tonight for the Riott Squad. Ruby showed tonight how dominant she is and with Morgan and Logan by her side, they can’t be stopped. Natalya wasn’t enough help to take them but hopefully, for The Bellas sake, Ronda Rousey will be. Time will tell but right now the Riott Squad have the upper hand.

Backstage Segment:
Ambrose grabs Ziggler and tells him to get out of his sight. Ziggler says all he was saying was the truth. He asks Ambrose where The shield was when he was hurt. Ziggler says he saw what he can do and tells him they don’t give a damn about him. Ziggler tells Ambrose tonight he doesn’t have to do anything, just give them the signal and they’ll take care of the rest.

Match 3: Chad Gable w/ Bobby Roode vs Konnor w/ Viktor
Konnor takes it to Gable in the early going and throws him off the turnbuckles. Konnor tries a cover but Gable kicks out. Konnor works a headlock but Gable works to his feet. Konnor brings him back to the mat and continues the pressure. Gable is able to get an armbar over the ropes but has to break the hold. Gable lands a dropkick to the knee and he takes him down once more. Gable lands a huge suplex and goes to the top. Gable lands on his feet as Konnor moves but Konnor gets up and takes him out. Konnor picks him up and slams him face first. Konnor gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Konnor
My Opinion:
Wow, what a win for Konnor. He is such a powerhouse in the ring and there wasn’t much Gable could do. I think Konnor could have a great singles run if they packaged him right. Tonight showed he can stand on his own. As for Gable, he put up a fight but this kinda halts the momentum he was having.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Stephanie and Triple H about Undertaker’s comments. Triple H asks what she wants to know. She goes over what Taker said and Triple H says if Undertaker is worried about a suit he’s already lost. He says and about him taking his soul he sold that a long time ago. Triple H says when it comes to Undertaker the end is near.

Match 4: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre (c) vs The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder): Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Ziggler backs Dawson in the corner but Dawson hits him with a huge chop. Wilder gets the tag and Ziggler backs him into his corner. Mcintyre comes in and knocks down Wilder. Mcintyre brings him to the corner and works his arm. Ziggler comes in and works Wilder in the corner. Wilder is able to move out of the way and catches him. Wilder plants him. Dawson tags in and stomps on the arm of Ziggler. Dawson hits a huge suplex but Ziggler kicks out of the cover. Wilder launches over the top rope and hits an elbow. Wilder tries a cover but Ziggler kicks out. Wilder gets him in the corner but Ziggler fights out with an uppercut. Ziggler tries a DDT but Wilder counters. Wilder works his arm and tries a cover but Ziggler kicks out. Wilder sends himself and Ziggler to the floor. Ziggler is able to send Wilder into the stairs as he moves out of the way of him. Ziggler gets back in the ring and tags Mcintyre. Mcintyre stomps on Wilder and then hits a suplex. Mcintyre tries a cover but Wilder kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Ziggler tries to keep Wilder from getting the tag. Dawson comes in and hits Ziggler with jabs and a right. Dawson lands a huge heel kick and then knocks down Mcintyre. Dawson hits a butterfly powerbomb but Ziggler kicks out of the cover. Dawson places Ziggler up top and hits him with a chop. Wilder tags in. Dawson hits a suplex and Wilder hits a splash. Wilder goes for the cover but Mcintyre breaks it up. Wider hits the DDT on the outside. Ziggler tries a cover but Wilder kicks out. Dawson and wilder double team Ziggler and Dawson tries a cover but Ziggler just kicks out. Wilder gets the tag and they try a double team but Ziggler stumbles off and Mcintyre comes in. Mcintyre hits Wilder with a chop. Mcintyre catches Wilder but a Dawson dropkick turns it into a pin. Mcintyre just kicks out. Mcintyre hits two big kicks and then tags Ziggler. They hit the Zig Zag into the Claymore and Ziggler gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Drew Mcintyre: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
The Revival showed up tonight! I can’t believe the limit they took Ziggler and Mcintyre to. The Revival was a split second form winning the titles but Mcintyre once again is the difference. He is just too powerful in the ring and no one has been able to stop him. Mcintyre and Ziggler work so well as a team cause Ziggler can wear anyone down and Mcintyre comes in and puts it away. I think they’ll be champs for a while, it doesn’t seem like anyone can stop them right now.

In Ring Segment: The Kevin Owens Show
Owens thanks Elias for the introduction and says he is his biggest fan and that’s why he is so glad he gets to team with him against Lashley and Cena. Owens says he and Elias need to talk about something that happened last week with Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush. Elias says he doesn’t wanna look at these people let alone talk to them. Owens questions Lio for provoking him last week. He tells that he is a forgiving man and because of that he has invited Lio to be his guest. Out comes Lio Rush.
Lio thanks them for inviting The Man of the Hour to The Kevin Owens Show. owens tells him to come to the ring. Lio says he and Bobby made them look like fools. He says he is the big man’s hype man and he might be young but he’s not nieve. Elias says we know you have concerns but we took care of you and have special seating, Elias then pulls out a booster seat. Lio says there is someone else who would like to hear these jokes and introduces Bobby Lashley.
My Opinion:
Kinda wish there was more to this segment. We haven’t seen The Kevin Owens show in a while so it would’ve been cool to see this longer rather than just a transition. I like Elias and Owens together though, they’re very entertaining and that’s one thing that’s been missing. They can make a rivalry out of nothing and it’s really starting to heat between these four.

Match 5: Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush vs Elias w/ Kevin Owens
Lashley and Elias lock up and Elias quickly backs away. Lashley tries a takedown and brings Elias to the mat. Lashley gets round on Elias and brings him back to the mat. Lashley brings him to the corner and hammers away. Lashley gets on the second rope but Elias sends him face first off the second turnbuckle. Elias works Lashley with a side headlock on the mat. Lashley works to his feet and hits a huge shoulder tackle. Lashley sends Elias into the corner but he escapes. Lashley comes back with a big cross body. Lashley then hammers on him with the right hands. Lashley tries a side slam and goes for the cover but Elias kicks out. Elias flies form the second rope but Lashley catches him. Elias works off and hits him in the knee. Elias continues to work on the knee of Lashley. Elias stomps on Lashley and then hits him with a big knee. Elias then wraps the leg of Lashley around the ring post twice. Elias tries a cover but Lashley kicks out. Elias lands a big kick and then drops his knee on the leg of Lashley. Elias then goes to a leg lock on Lashley. Lashley tries to fight out with big rights. Elias continues the attack on the leg and then tries the cover but Lashley kicks out. Lashley fights back with more right hands. Lashley catches him with an elbow and then knocks him to the mat. Lashley sends Elias to the outside. Lashley bounces Elias off the barricade and brings him back in the ring. Elias goes back to the knee as Lashley tries to get back in the ring as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Elias continues the work on the leg of Lashley. Elias stomps on the leg but Lashley fights back and sends him to the outside. Lashley then drops Elias with a reverse DDT. Elias and Lashley then trade rights and lefts. Lashley lands a big clothesline and then hits the vertical suplex. Lashley then spears Elias sending both of them to the floor. Owens then chases Lio on the outside. Owens then runs over Lashley giving him the win.
*** Owens and Elias chase Lio and Owens catches him. Lashley saves him and takes out Elias and Owens.
Winner: Bobby Lashley: Via DQ
My Opinion:
Not a clean win for Lashley tonight but nonetheless he gets the win. Lashley gains momentum heading into next weekend and for Elias and Owens they need to get it together. They’re too distracted and if they could just stay on track they’ll dominate together. They can’t let things like Lio Rush get to them or they’ll never prevail. It’ll be interesting to see if they can get it together before John Cena gets added into the mix.

Backstage Segment:
Rollins tells Mcintyre he is the one being used. He asks him if he thinks Braun Strowman actually gives a damn about him. He then tells him that Dolph is the on riding his coattails. He tells McIntyre he is caring him every step of the way. He tells Mcintyre before he points fingers he should take a long look in the mirror and think who’s being used. Ziggler asks him what that was all about and Mcintyre tells him not to worry about it.

Match 6: Nia Jax w/ Ember Moon vs Alicia Fox w/ Alexa Bliss & Mickie James
Fox backs to the ropes as the match begins. Jax gets to her and throws her in the corner. Jax grabs her and throws her again. Fox goes to the outside to regroup. Moon helps out taking out James on the outside. Fox hits a neckbreaker and tries a cover but Jax kicks out. Fox goes to a chin lock and tries to wear her down. Fox hits her with knees in the back. Jax backs Fox spine first into the corner. Fox lands a big kick and drops Jax but can’t get the 3 on the cover. Fox hits a big knee but Jax grabs her and puts her on her shoulders. Jax hits the Samoan Drop and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Nia Jax
My Opinion:
Nia picks up a big win tonight. Fox put up a great fight but with Nia, she is a powerhouse and it takes one move for her to end the match. I think Jax with Moon by her side. I think these two can really do big things in the division. Nia is looking to get back on top and maybe having Moon have her back could be her way to do just that.

Backstage Segment:
Mcintyre tells Ambrose he took everything they said to him and spun them to talk to him. He says he thinks Seth either wants a 4 man unstoppable Shield or maybe they knew what they said was true. Mcintyre tells Ambrose it’s not like Seth has never stabbed him in the back before.

Match 7: The Shield (Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose) vs Baron Corbin & Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar w/ Drake Maverick)
Ambrose and Corbin start the match. Ambrose works the arm of Corbin and works him to the mat. Corbin gets to his feet and gets to a headlock but Ambrose brings him back down. Rollins gets the tag and he and Ambrose hit the suplex on Corbin. Akam gets the tag and takes down Rollins with a shoulder tackle. Rollins hits Akam with a kick and Ambrose gets the tag. Rezar gets the tag and he takes down Ambrose and Rollins. Reigns gets the tag now. Reigns hits Rezar with a right but Rezar backs him in the corner. Rezar hits him with a series of shoulders. Reigns fights him off with an elbow and a right hand. Reigns tries to lift him but Rezar falls off. Reigns knocks him down but Rezar gets right back up. The Shield, AOP, and Corbin all go after each other. The Shield stand tall sending them out of the ring. Corbin and AOP attack them from behind off the distraction form Dolph, Drew, and Braun. Corbin hits the chokeslam backbreaker on Reigns and tries the cover but Reigns kicks out as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Reigns hits a Samoan Drop on Corbin. Rollins knocks off Rezar and then hits a big enziguri on Akam. Rollins tries a cover but Akam kicks out. Rollins hits a kick but Maverick delivers the destruction and it allows Corbin to send Rollins to the outside. Corbin tags in and sends Rollins into the barricade. Corbin does it once more and AOP tee off on him. Corbin brings Rollins into the ring and tags Rezar. Rezar wrenches on the neck of Rollins. Rollins is backed into the corner and Akam tags in. AOP double team Rollins but it’s not enough to put him away. Akam works a chin lock on Rollins. Rollins hits a jawbreaker but Akam hits him with an elbow. Corbin tags in and hits Rollins with a right. Rollins hits the sling blade. Reigns helps Ambrose on the outside but Reigns is sent into the steps. AOP hits the Last Chapter on Reigns on the outside. Rollins tries a roll up on Corbin but he kicks out. Corbin hits Deep 6 but Rollins kicks out. Rezar tags in and then tags Akam. Rollins sends Rezar out of the ring and then catches Akam with the superkick. Corbin gets the tag and he stops Rollins. Rollins works away and tags Ambrose. Ambrose takes it to Corbin and takes him down. Ambrose lands a big knee and follows with a splash. Ambrose hits an inside cradle but Corbin kicks out. Ambrose takes out all three men on the outside. Akam knocks Ambrose off from the top rope. Ambrose hits Corbin with elbow and then hits a neckbreaker. Ambrose hits a big elbow and then tries a cover but AOP breaks the cover. Reigns comes back in the ring and hits a Superman Punch on Corbin. Rollins flies to the outside taking out Akam. Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds and then tags Reigns. Ambrose flies to the outside. Reigns hits the spear on Corbin and gets the 1 2 3. The shield stand tall in the ring.
Winners: The Shield (Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose)
My Opinion:
Wow, this was one heck of a main event. I loved the team of AOP and Corbin, talk about hard hitting. This was awesome to see AOP gets this spotlight because they so deserve it. The shield stood tall but it was no easy task. It seems like they’re on the same page but time will tell how long it’ll last. As for Ambrose, he gave it all he had so it seems his loyalty remains but at the same time he may have to do what’s best for him. Either way, I savor seeing The Shield together because they’re a special team that really has been a staple of WWE for so long and it’s so cool to see them together. They look ready for Super Show-Down!

Final Thoughts:
This was really good Raw tonight. I loved the drama tonight with all the mind games between Ambrose and Braun, Dolph, and Drew. some great points were made and it really makes you think if Ambrose will turn at some point. I was super impressed with The Revival tonight, I always thought they were great in the ring but they really showed it tonight taking Dolph and Drew to the limit. I think tonight they proved they should be tag champs someday. The Riott Squad was impressive as well. Ruby really showed what she can do and even when it was two on one her and Sarah Logan killed it. I see a lot of big things in the future for them. The main event tonight was amazing. See The Shield as a team again was something I’ve been waiting for. Ambrose should no signs of lack of loyalty but as I said time will tell. Things are looking very interesting heading into Super Show-Down and I can’t wait!
Overall Rating: 7/10