Raw Review 09/30/2019

RAW REVIEW 09/30/2019

Tonight is the Season Premiere of Monday Night Raw and the Go-Home Edition before this Sunday’s Hell In A Cell PPV!!! First, can Seth Rollins successfully defend the Universal Championship and make his way to face “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt this Sunday? Plus, who will walk out the winner when Alexa Bliss goes one on one with “The Boss” Sasha Banks? Also, what will Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have to say when they appear on Miz TV? On that same note what will “The Beast” Brock Lesnar have in store for the WWE Universe when he and Paul Heyman return to Raw tonight? Dolph Ziggler and Roode are set to defend the Raw Tag Team Championships but can they retain against the red hot Heavy Machinery? Finally, Cedric Alexander gets a shot at the United States Championship but can he get the big win against AJ Styles?

Raw comes to us from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed by Jerry “The King” Lawler, Vic Joseph, and Dio Maddin.

In-Ring Segment: Rey Mysterio
Mysterio tells how later tonight he is going to face Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship. He then tells his son, Dominick who is in the front row that this match is because of him, he says he loves him and tells him he is going to bring that Universal Championship home. Out comes Brock Lesnar.
Heyman takes the mic and goes to talk but Mysterio grabs the mic back. Lesnar grabs Mysterio and lays him out with an F5. Lesnar lifts him up again and hits another F5. Lesnar stares down Rey’s son and goes out to the floor where he is sitting. Lesnar grabs him and throws him over the barricade. He then picks him up and bounces him off the ring post before dropping him to the floor. Lesnar’s not done and throws him into the ring. Lesnar then hits him with a huge suplex. Mysterio grabs Lesnar’s leg but he is picked up and hit with another F5. Lesnar finally exits the ring and make his way up the ramp. He turns around and gets back in the ring to hit Mysterio and his son both with suplexes. Lesnar is backed off and Heyman pleads with him on the outside. Lesnar though gets back in the ring and takes out one of the producers and then takes out Finlay. He then throws Rey’s son to the outside and Mysterio rolls out.
My Opinion:
Wow, that was a crazy start to the night and an unexpected one for sure. Lesnar made a point tonight and I don’t know if it was a good one but he showed he doesn’t care who he hurts he is here to lay anyone and everyone out. With a huge title match ahead Lesnar just showed Kofi Kingston that he doesn’t care about much and he is here to well, bring the pain. Hopefully, for Mysterio, he can regroup but I’m sure this is something he is going to want a lot of retribution for even though I’m not sure how he is going to get that with Lesnar.

Match 1: Sasha Banks vs Alexa Bliss
*** Before the match Becky Lynch comes out to join the commentary team.
Banks starts with throwing Bliss to the mat. She gets on her and delivers big right hands. Banks goes on the attack in the corner but Bliss counters and is able to land a series of kicks. Banks fights her off and sends Bliss to the outside. Banks gets on the second rope and taunts Lynch. Lynch gets on the announce table and taunts back. Bliss fights back and takes down Banks before hitting a nice arm drag. Bliss then continues to work her arm. Bliss tries a cover but Banks kicks out. Bliss stays on the offensive and out goes Banks to the floor. Banks gets Bliss wrapped up in the apron and uses this to land a straight right hand. Banks tries a cover but Bliss kicks out. Banks wrenches on the neck of Bliss in the corner. Banks then drives her knee into the back of Bliss. Bliss tries to turn it around and hits Banks. Banks lands a kick but here comes Bliss with a clothesline. Bliss takes her down and lands double knees but misses on the second try. Banks takes her down and tries a cover of her own but Bliss kicks out. Bliss slaps Banks but Banks pushes her to the ropes. Banks calls for Bayley and Bliss gets distracted. This allows Banks to take her down and roll her up for the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Lynch comes down to the ring and the two go at it. Banks tries to fight back but is hit with a huge kick to the mid-section. Banks gets out of the ring and goes into the crowd. Lynch asks her where she is going and says we were just getting started. She tells her she can run now but Sunday she isn’t leaving the cell until she wants her to. She tells Banks she made is personal and she is going to make it painful. Lynch says this Sunday retribution is coming around.
Winner: Sasha Banks
My Opinion:
Banks picks up a much-needed win ahead of her huge Raw Women’s title match this Sunday but it didn’t come easy. For some reason, Banks looked off her game and maybe it was because Lynch was out there. Obviously the events after the match shows that Lynch is in her head the way she took down Sasha and Sasha then high tailed it out of there. Lynch isn’t looking to just retain on Sunday but instead looking to make a statement and take Banks down for good. This is going to be an amazing match and there is no doubt these two will fight their hearts out. I can’t wait for this one!

*** A New Firefly Fun House tonight!

*** The Rock returns on SmackDown this Friday!

Backstage Segment: Seth Rollins
Charly welcomes Seth Rollins, Rollins cuts her off and says he knows she is going to ask about Hell In A Cell but all he can think about is Brock Lesnar. He says he isn’t surprised but he is disgusted and that is a line you do not cross. He then says as for The Fiend he doesn’t know how you get ready for that but he has come to fair to go down quietly. He says he will prevail and survive and walk out the champion. He says this is the Season Premiere and Rey is in no condition to compete but when he is healthy he has a title match waiting for him. He says he made a promise to defend the title and he will tonight against anyone who wants to step up.

Match 2: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (c) vs Heavy Machinery (Otis & Tucker): Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Ziggler grabs Tucker and gets behind him but he is backed to the ropes and backed off. Tucker gets taken down again and Ziggler works a side headlock. Off the ropes, Tucker knocks him down and then hits him with another shoulder tackle. Tucker lands a big dropkick and goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. Otis tags in and Tucker passes Ziggler off to him. Otis grabs him and lands a huge suplex. A cover from Otis and a kick out from Ziggler. Ziggler hits him with a right and then hits a dropkick. Roode tags in and he and Ziggler try a double team but they are both taken down by Otis. Tucker tags in and Heavy Machinery hit a double suplex. They then smush Roode and Ziggler and land chops to the back. Heavy Machinery is in control as Raw goes to break!
As Raw returns, Tucker hits Roode on the apron and then takes Ziggler down to the mat. Roode sends Tucker to the outside off the distraction. Roode takes it to Tucker on the outside driving him into the apron and then into the barricade. Roode brings him into the ring and stomps him in the corner. Ziggler comes in and lands a huge neck breaker. A cover and a kick out. Roode then works the arm and the neck of Tucker. Tucker tries to fight to Otis but he is unable to and Ziggler continues on the offense with a chin lock. Ziggler wears him down but Tucker works to a vertical base and lands big rights to the gut. Roode tags in to help out and he is able to land a big-time spinebuster. Roode goes for the cover but Tucker kicks out. Ziggler tags back in and stays on Tucker. Tucker fights off Ziggler and sends him into the turnbuckle. Otis finally gets the tag and so does Roode. Otis takes him down and takes down Ziggler as well. Roode tries to slow him down but Otis fires up and drops Roode. He then grabs Ziggler and plants him. A big splash in the corner and both men are down. Otis then lands a double caterpillar on the tag champs. Roode fights back but he gets caught. Tucker tags in but he hits Tucker with a Zig-Zag. he then hits Otis with a superkick. Tucker is hit with a superkick and it allows Roode to hit the Glorious DDT. He pins Tucker and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode: Still Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
What a match between these two teams with both looking impressive in this one. No doubt Ziggler and Roode proved why they are champions, they outsmarted Heavy Machinery and took advantage of their wasted time. Heavy Machinery can get it done but they have to stop playing around so much, if they just hit their big moves and look to end it, they will have much more success. They look poised to be champions someday but right now Roode and Ziggler showed Heavy Machinery they have a lot to learn. I am really liking Ziggler and Roode being champions because they work very well together and truly have come together as a very solid team. Although I am excited for some new teams to get shots soon such as AOP and The Viking Raiders.

Backstage Segment:
*** Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, and Ric Flair make their way to the ring for Miz TV

*** Season Premiere of Total Divas tomorrow, NXT on Wednesday, SmackDown on Friday, and Hell In A Cell on Sunday!

In-Ring Segment: Miz TV: Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, and Ric Flair
Miz welcomes every to Miz TV and says before he gets started, he wants to send his thoughts and support to Rey and Dominick Mysterio. He says as a father of two there is no telling what he would do if someone put their hands on his child. He says he hopes Rey and Dominick are okay. He then says let’s get this thing started and introduces Ric Flair! Next out is Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart!
Flair says I’m over it, Miz says we’re not we’re soaking it up in. Miz says it is an honor sharing the ring with both of them. Flair says he has to listen to that damn music for 30 years and he is sick of it. Miz says we have had to listen to the woo’s a lot longer. Miz says they are all legends. He says this is about the Season Premiere of Raw and these guests. Miz asks hogan what it’s like to stare across the ring at Flair. Hogan says it’s great to be in Phoenix and says it’s great to be here with the greatest of all time Ric Flair. He tells Hogan, Taker, and Austin are the greatest draws in the company but he is the greatest to do it in this ring. Hogan then asks Flair if he wants one more shot at these 24-inch pythons. Flair pumps up and then tells Hogan he is just kidding. Hogan says they are no spring chickens but that doesn’t mean they can’t add one more chapter. Flair says he wants a check like Hogan so he is going where he is going. Miz announces that at Crown Jewel at the end of October it will be Team Hogan vs Team Flair. Hogan then asks whatcha gonna do when he and his team captain run wild on you, out comes Seth Rollins who is the captain of Team Hogan.
Rollins says he has a lot on his plate but he is proud to be the captain of Team Hogan. He asks whatcha gonna do when Team Hogan mops the floor with Team Flair. Flair then calls out his captain Randy Orton
Orton tells Rollins he needs his full attention and asks him to crawl out of Hogan’s ass. He tells Rollins they will pick their teammates over the next few weeks but asks Rollins to have a captains match right now. Before the match begins out comes Baron Corbin.
Orton attacks Rollins from behind but Rollins battles back. Corbin then hits Rollins with the scepter and he and Orton double team Rollins. Out comes Rusev. Rusev takes down Orton and then lays out Corbin. He grabs Corbin and hits him with shoulder shots to the gut. Orton looks for an RKO but Rusev blocks and hits him with a kick. Rollins and Rusev take out Corbin and Rollins then takes out Orton.
My Opinion:
Wow! What an announcement we just had and we got two great teams already forming! This is one I’m definitely ready for and I can’t wait to see Flair and Hogan out there once more as you never know when their last times making appearances will be. Rollins and Orton have a few more picks to make but they are off to a good start. This is will be a huge match and I can’t wait to see what else is added to Crown Jewel. I know not everyone appreciates these events but they always bring out some big-time matches and I have always enjoyed them for what WWE tries to make them and that is special.

Backstage Segment:
We are shown footage from earlier of Dominick being put into the ambulance. Mysterio continues to apologize to him and says this is his fault.

Backstage Segment: Rusev
Charly congratulates Rusev on joining Team Hogan. She then asks him where Lana is. Rusev doesn’t answer. Charly then asks him what prompted him to return to WWE. he says he isn’t here to talk about his problem as home. He then says how Rollins was getting pummeled and he stepped up to the challenge. He says Rollins owes him and challenges him to a Universal Championship Match tonight.

*** We get another vignette from Authors Of Pain

Match 3: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) vs The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
Gallows goes after Ivar and gets the upper hand early. Anderson tags in but Ivar takes over and drives him into the corner. Erik tags in and knocks down Anderson. Erik lands a big knee and then brings him to the corner. Ivar comes in and lands a big boot before bringing Anderson to the mat. He tries a cover but Anderson kicks out. Ivar then goes to work on the arm of Anderson. Ivar brings him to his feet but Anderson turns it around with a kick. Gallows tags in and lands a big elbow. He then lands big body shots in the corner. Gallows lands a back elbow and then big slaps. A knee from Gallows and one more to follow. Gallows lands an elbow from a standing position and goes for the cover but Ivar kicks out. Anderson tags in but Ivar fights him and Gallows off. Erik comes in and lands a series of strikes to take Anderson down, He then hits him with a big knee as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Anderson hits Erik with a big forearm. Gallows tag in and Erik is hit with a huge neck breaker. A cover and a kick out by Erik. Gallows stays on him but Erik fights out for a moment. Anderson and Ivar get the tags. Ivar slams Anderson and then lands a big splash. Ivar is able to take down Anderson and then hit a huge clothesline on Gallows. Erik tags in and they double team, Anderson. A cover and Gallows has to break it up. Gallows then connects with a huge boot. Erik throws Anderson but in comes Gallows. Gallows fights back and slams Erik. he goes for the cover but Erik kicks out. Ivar helps Erik by taking out Anderson. Erik lifts Gallows and slams him. Ivar comes off the top and lands a big splash. Ivar goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
My Opinion:
Another huge win for The Viking Raiders and each week they continue to be very impressive. These two are an amazing team and the way they have been able to dominate The O.C. shows they are one of the best teams going today. I’m not sure why they haven’t gotten a title shot yet but hopefully, it will happen soon because I believe they won’t disappoint when they get one.

Backstage Segment: Cesaro/ Ricochet
Charly says neither Rey or Dominick will be returning this evening. She says Heyman and Lesnar are still in the building and are demanding the right to talk about Lesnar’s actions. Cesaro comes up and says he likes what Brock did and enjoyed it but he stole his opportunity to beat the crap out of Rey’s son. Ricochet comes up and says he wouldn’t do a damn thing. He tells him he isn’t half the man Rey is. Cesaro says he is double his size. Ricochet tells him if he wants to talk about how big he is to come and prove it out in the ring.

Match 4: Ricochet vs Cesaro
Ricochet lands a huge dropkick and goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Cesaro fights back with a shoulder tackle. Cesaro stays on him but Ricochet fights back and sends him to the outside. Ricochet then flies and takes him out on the floor. Back in the ring Ricochet looks for a cross body but Cesaro turns it into a backbreaker. Cesaro lifts Ricochet and hits him with a huge uppercut. He goes for the cover but Ricochet kicks out at 1. Cesaro then goes to a chin lock but Ricochet is able to fight out. Ricochet comes off the ropes but he gets caught. Cesaro lifts him and then drops him to hit him with a knee. Cesaro covers him again but Ricochet kicks out. Ricochet fights back and gets Cesaro to crash into the ring post. Ricochet pays tribute to Mysterio and hits a West Coast Pop. he goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Ricochet
My Opinion:
This was a solid win for Ricochet tonight, he hasn’t had big opportunities in a little bit so this is a good way to keep him on track as he fights back to the top. Cesaro was very hard-hitting but he seems to be getting beaten much easier nowadays even when he does show up with the offense. For Ricochet he gets some retribution for Cesaro’s harsh words towards Rey and his son.

*** New Firefly Fun House!

Match 5: AJ Styles (c) vs Cedric Alexander: United States Championship Match
Styles throws his vest at Alexander and takes advantage of it hammering on him in the corner. Alexander fights back and takes him down. He tries a cover but Styles kicks out. He tries another but Styles is out quickly. Alexander continues to hammer on Styles and sends him to the outside, Alexander comes to the ropes but Styles rocks him with a right. In the ring, Alexander gets back into it. He comes off the ropes but he is caught. Styles drops him to the floor. Styles flies over the ropes and takes out Alexander as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Styles has a chin lock locked in on Alexander. He throws Alexander to the apron but this allows Alexander to come back in and land a springboard DDT. Alexander hits a knee on Styles. He then is able to connect with the neuralyzer. Alexander lays him out with the knee and goes for the cover but Styles kicks out. Styles hits Alexander with an elbow and then lands a big backbreaker. He goes for the cover but Alexander stays in it. Alexander backs Styles up to the ropes and sends him to the apron. Alexander comes through with the Michinoku driver and goes for the cover but Styles kicks out. Styles fights back with a suplex. Styles tries to put him away but Alexander continues to stay in this. Styles looks for the Styles Clash but Alexander fights out and rolls him up. Styles kicks out. Styles finally catches him and hits the Styles Clash. He covers Alexander and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: AJ Styles: Still United States Champion
My Opinion:
Once again Alexander was so close again but he just can’t land that one big move when he needs to. Styles won this match all on his own and you can’t take that away. He is one of the best in the world and when push comes to shove he gets the job down. Styles is doing great as the U.S. Champ and everyone who has stepped up has been put down. We will see who the next challenger will be but for Alexander, it’s back to the drawing board and trying to go out there and string together some big wins.

Backstage Segment: The Street Profits
The Street Profits tell they will be in actin this Wednesday because they are still NXT! They say they will take care of the Undisputed Era and take back their NXT Tag Team Championships. They then hype up the Universal title match tonight and this Sunday. They then hype up the next match of Lacey Evans and Natalya. They say this Season Premier is like The Street Profits because they want the smoke.

Match 6: Natalya vs Lacey Evans
Evans knocks down Natalya to start the match. Natalya comes back and is able to slam Evans to the mat. Evans fights back and is able to take Natalya down to the mat. She goes to the outside and grabs Natalya throwing her headfirst into the steel steps. Evans brings her back into the ring and goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out. She then hammers on Natalya. She stays on her and continues the punishment. Evans then connects in the corner but still can’t put Natalya away. Evans goes to a submission hold on the mat. Evans slams her to the mat and then steps over Natalya. Natalya is able to take down Evans but can’t put her away. Evans stays with it and lands a rake to the eyes. She then uses the tights on the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Evans lands a huge Women’s Right.
Winner: Lacey Evans
My Opinion:
Not the cleanest win in the world but Evans got the job done and that’s what counts. She has been talking a lot of trash and has been taunting Natalya so she needed to win this one and she did. Natalya won’t take this lightly and I’m sure she is going to want a rematch after that one.

Backstage Segment: Paul Heyman
Heyman tells Sarah he talks for Lesnar. He says for Lesnar’s action he apologizes but you if you want someone to blame the ownership for booking Lesnar tonight when he is in fight mode. He says there alot of wannabe tough guys but not one of them could do a damn thing about what Lesnar did tonight or what he will do this Friday. He says this Friday you will hear these words, your winner and new undisputed reigning and defending WWE World Heavyweight Champion of the world Brock Lesnar.

Backstage Segment: Maria Kanellis/ Sasha Banks
Charly welcomes Maria Kanellis. She asks her about these past two weeks and about Rusev. Maria says no Rusev is not the father and he has enough going on with Lana. Banks comes up and grabs the mic. She tells Lynch she is not man enough for her. She says she will show her carnage at Hell In A Cell when she makes her beg and tap out. She tells how there have been two Women’s Hell In A Cell matches and she was in the first and she won’t let a man win it.

Backstage Segment:
A limo arrives at Monday Night Raw.

Match 7: Seth Rollins (c) vs Rusev: Universal Championship Match
Randy Orton and Baron Corbin watch on from the stage. The match begins and Rusev takes Seth Rollins down. Rollins tries to get back into it but Rusev takes him down again. Rollins fights back and flies off the ropes but he gets caught and slammed. Rollins goes to the outside as Raw goes to break.
As Raw returns, Rollins tries to fight out of the clutches of Rusev. Rollins does and lands a blockbuster. Rusev lands a big right hand and continues with the strikes. Rollins fights him off and tries a suplex but Rusev prevents. Rollins though stays the course and sends him to the outside. Rollins flies to hit him on the floor. Rollins goes up top and flies but Rusev catches him and tries to roll through but Rollins turns it into an inside cradle. Rusev kicks out. Rusev tries numerous pin attempts now but can’t put Rollins away. Rollins counters a kick attempt and rolls him up but Rusev kicks out. Rollins lifts Rusev and hits the Falcon Arrow. A cover and a kick out from Rusev. Rollins lands a kick and looks for the Stomp but it’s countered. He looks to fly but Rusev puts him down. Out comes Bobby Lashley. Lashley calls for someone in the back and out comes Lana. the two then hug on the stage and then kisses Lashley over and over. The Fiend’s music then hits and The Fiend has Rollins. He lays out Rollins on the floor as Raw goes off the air.
Winner: No Contest
My Opinion:
Well, we had a great match going there. Rusev was putting up one heck of a fight and seriously looked like he had Rollins on the ropes. Then we get the return of Lashley and Lana and things took over. I don’t know how much that was needed and seemed kind of excessive and overshadowing to the ultimate outcome of the show which was The Fiend laying out Rollins. There is no doubt The Fiend has the upper hand and he is in the head of Rollins. This match on Sunday is going to be brutal!

Final Thoughts:
What a Season Premier of Raw tonight! First off I love the new opening to the show and the fact that pyro is back. It really adds to the effect and with the new stage, it looked awesome! I also really like the new announce team, I think they did a good job together! I loved the Raw Tag Team Championship Match, both teams brought their A-Game and Roode and Ziggler proved again to be a very formidable team together and continue to win in the big situations. I always liked how Becky Lynch went down and went after Sasha Banks. She showed Banks she is ready for this fight but Banks continues to talk and continues to seem unphased. Similar to the Universal title match it seems like this is going to be smash mouth. The start of the show with Brock Lesnar was wild but as Heyman talked about later on Lesnar is out for a fight and out to destroy. Kofi Kingston better watch out because Lesnar is coming for him on Friday! The announcement of the Team Hogan and Team Flair match was huge as well! That’s the first big match announcement for Crown Jewel and the teams are shaping up nicely! Finally to close out the show we had the start of a great Universal title match but then we had Lashley and Lana return and things got weird, to say the least. The big story is The Fiend laying out Rollins and there is no doubt The Fiend is now firmly in control heading into Sunday! I can’t wait for everything to come this week and ending it with Hell In A Cell on Sunday, it’s gonna be amazing!!!!
Overall Rating: 7/10