Raw Review 09/12/2016

Hello Misfits, it’s The Wrestling Classic here with this weeks Raw Review or better yet, week two of the “Kevin Owens Show.” Smackdown just had an amazing PPV the night before and its time for Raw to create as much excitement as Smackdown did the evening before with their new champions. What we knew about this Raw going into it was that Kevin Owens was going to face Roman Reigns and if Reigns won he was going to added to the match at Clash of Champions between Rollins and Owens, thus making it a triple threat match.
I know I’m super late with this review, but this will be the last time I will be writing the Raw review as of now. Paul Elliot will be taking over. I just haven’t had the time to write these reviews when needed too. However, I will continue to write the PPV predictions, reviews and have the return of the TWC Report. I might still write about Raw randomly when I really enjoy it but thats about it. Keep in mind that most of this was written earlier this week on Tuesday and things have either already happened or been answered since I wrote this.

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WWE Raw comes to you live on the USA Network from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

The show opens with highlights of last weeks Raw.

1. Mick Foley opens Raw with the Women’s Division
Mick Foley comes out and congratulates Smackdown on having one hell of PPV. He congratulates his friend Becky Lynch on becoming the first Smackdown Women’s Champion. Foley mentions that he still believes Raw has the better Women’s Division. Foley then introduces Charlotte who makes her way out along with Dana Brooke. Charlotte said an apology was in order after last week. Brooke said she doesn’t have to apologize. Charlotte said she would never apologize to Brooke. She said it was all Brooke’s fault that she lost to Bayley. She said Brooke should apologize for the match with Bayley and tapping to the Bank Statement. Charlotte said she either apologizes or their friendship is over. Brooke apologized. Foley said the women’s championship will be defended at Night of Champions.
Sasha Banks made her entrance and said she is the face of the women’s division and the only legit Boss in WWE. Once in the ring, she said she is taking the title back at Clash of Champions. Charlotte said it’s okay because she’s the one with the title.
Bayley made her entrance and joined them all in the ring. Bayley said she would love to see Sasha compete for the championship tonight, but she did beat Charlotte last week.”So maybe, maybe the person who deserves the title shot is me,” Bayley said. Sasha said she and Bayley go back to NXT and Bayley had her back at Battleground, but she has no friends when it comes to that title.
Sasha said Bayley needs to get to the back of the line because she has unfinished business with Charlotte. Charlotte said she gave Sasha the career ending beating at SummerSlam. Sasha took her jacket off and tossed it at Charlotte.
Foley said neither Charlotte nor Sasha decide when Charlotte defends her title. Foley said Sasha was going to have her rematch at The Clash, but now he’s having second thoughts. Brooke said Sasha and Bayley should be competing in a best of seven series to see who is worthy of facing the queen. Charlotte said she didn’t ask for her opinion and threatened to slap the taste out of her mouth.
My Thoughts:
I like how the show opened up with the women but it throws me off it wasn’t a opening segment for something later in the show. I think thats the concept Raw has been using more commonly these days that I actually dislike. I don’t want the opening segment to lead to a match right after which ends the entire segment. Imagine they had this segment and the match later in the show. Charlotte is an amazing heel, and I love the tension between Dana and herself. I was shocked that Charlotte never retaliated when Dana smacked her, which would have been more in character for Charlotte. I love Sasha Banks, and I know she can talk, but her babyface promos are just odd. Sasha seems to stumble over her words and her gimmick doesnt suit being a fan favourite, yet the fans continue to love her, so its all good. I loved seeing Bayley and her both in the same ring and it blew my mind that we were getting a match featuring both of them already. Knowing the epic matches Sasha and Bayley have had in the passed it gets you excited. However, Bayley oddly doesnt fit in and its maybe because I’d expect her to a bigger deal rather then in the background of this Sasha/Charlotte feud.

2. Winner faces Charlotte at Clash of Champions: Sasha Banks def. Bayley & Dana Brooke
The finish came when Brooke hit clotheslines to both, and then worked ground strikes on Banks. Dana then worked over Bayley, and set her up on the top rope and we got a tower of doom spot. Banks got the near fall on Brooke. Banks fired up and worked over Brooke, kicking her in the head and then getting the Banks statement. Bayley broke it up, Bayley to belly on Broke, but Banks ran in and cradles Bayley for the win
My Thoughts:
This was a good opening match and a good Raw match for womens division. They got quite a bit on time and all women shined. I initially thought Dana was put in the match to take most of the beating and to take the fall but that wasnt the case. This was the most impressed I’ve been with Dana since she’s been on the main roster. The interesting part was that when Sasha went for the cover both womens shoulders were on the ground. I assume this will lead to the match at Clash of Champions to become a Triple Threat match. Long story short though, isn’t Sasha Banks entitled to a singles one on one match after losing her title?

– Dana Brooke apologizes to Charlotte. Charlotte tells her to shut up and carry the bags.

– The Shining Stars are trying to sell R-Truth a timeshare for Puerto Rico. Truth asks if he can bring Little Jimmy to Puerto Rico. Epico and Primo say that if you make a one time payment, you can take whoever you want. Truth leaves before they can finish the sale. They turn around and Colin and Enzo show up. Big Cass calls them con men. Epico says that they beat Enzo and Colin last week. Enzo says Epico and Primo cheated last week. Enzo calls Epico and Primo a couple of haters and reminds them that they have unfinished business.

3. Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho backstage interview
Tom Phillips interviews Kevin Owens. Owens asks Tyler how’s things going? Tom wants Owens opinions on his match with Roman Reigns tonight? Owens was there when the match was made. Should Owens should say something controversial? Should he say that Triple H trusts him more than Seth Rollins? Should he say that Roman Reigns should never be in the same ring as him? Should he says that Mick Foley was never better than his mentor Triple H?
Owens tells Terry that it will not be a Triple Threat match at Clash of Champions and he will win at Clash of Champions. Chris Jericho joins the conversation. If Terry wasn’t such a hack journalist he would realize the problem was that Kevin Owens was put into the match against Roman Reigns and pulled from the Highlight Reel. Jericho’s guest for the Highlight Reel is, Kevin Owens former best friend, Sami Zayn. Jericho says that he’ll reveal the true Sami Zayn. Jericho calls Zayn a Stupid Idiot with emphasis on the word it.
My Thoughts:
I love anytime Kevin Owens or Chris Jericho get around Tom Phillips. I find the way they call him random names hilarious. Their friendship is the best thing ever. This segment was very entertaining.

4. Bo Dallas def. Brandon Scott
Bo Dallas cut a heel like promo before the match claiming the only person he needs to Bo-lieve in is himself. Bo Dallas made quick work of his opponent. He finishes off Scott with a cross rhodes looking move if not the same move. 
My Thoughts:
Raw is the land of opportunities for local and jobber talent. As we finally get Nia Jax moving away from wrestlers jobbers, Dallas fills that void. This is the WWE’s way of bringing relevancy back to Dallas and thats not a bad thing.

5. Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel w/ Sami Zayn
Jericho says that tonight’s Highlight Reel was supposed to be the biggest in history because his best friend Kevin Owens was supposed to be on the show. Mick Foley ruined it by putting Owens in a match against Roman Reigns. When you have the highest of the high, you have to go the other way and the lowest of the low. Jericho lays on the rug to introduce Sami Zayn. Zayn thanks Jericho for the superstar introduction. Jericho says he wants to know what happened with the relationship with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. It must have been Zayn’s fault. Did Jericho really bring him out here to only talk about Kevin Owens? Zayn tells Jericho that the only person Owens cares about is himself. If Jericho thinks that Owens is best friend? Well, Zayn calls Jericho a stupid idiot.
Jericho tells the Baltimore crowd to be quiet. Jericho says that Zayn is like the WWE Universe. Zayn’s condescending and rude. Zayn is a taker while Jericho says he is a giver. Jericho is here to give all the heathens something they desperately need. Zayn says that quiet frankly, the gift of Jericho stinks. The only gift Owens gives  him was showing him his true colors.  Jericho says that Zayn is jealous. He’s  jealous that Kevin Owens is the longest reigning Universal Champion. Zayn wants to know if there’s any shred of the old Chris Jericho left? It was because of Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, and Eddie Guerrero that inspired Zayn and Owens to compete all around the world. They are journeyman. Zayn goes over Jericho’s resume, but now he’s Kevin Owens bitch. Jericho asks Zayn if he really believes that? Jericho got a text from Kevin Owens telling him what to expect from Zayn. Jericho hits Zayn in the face with the cellphone. Jericho drops Zayn with a Codebreaker.
My Thoughts:
This segment had to be the second best segment of the entire show. I couldn’t be happier that Sami Zayn is finally involved in an actual feud since the brand extension rather than floating around. I loved when Jericho was comparing Zayn to Seth Rogan because its a comparison I’ve made time and time again. These two have the potential to put on the match of the night at Clash of Champions, so I’m looking forward to it. Its a shitty deal that Zayn’s feud is still somewhat connected to Kevin Owens, as Chris Jericho is Owen’s “best friend”. It’s as if Zayn’s whole main roster career has been focused around Kevin Owens.

6. Best of Seven Series Match: Cesaro [2] def. Seamus [3] The finish of the match comes when Cesaro goes for the Cesaro Swing, but his back gives out. Sheamus goes for White Noise, but Cesaro blocks it. Sheamus plants Cesaro with the Irish Curse Backbreaker for a two count. Sheamus goes for the Celtic Cross, but Cesaro gets back on his feet. Cesaro rolls Sheamus up with his boot placed on the bottom rope to pickup the victory. 
My Thoughts:
Cesaro had to resort to cheating to win the match? I don’t know how I feel about that but overall this continues to give both guys something to do each and every Monday. I honestly don’t know what else they would be doing if they weren’t involved in this best out of seven series. Think about it? If they weren’t wrestling each other every week, what would they be doing? Jobbing out to Reigns, Rollins, Owens and Rusev?

– Rollins has a bone to pick with Mick. Rollins thought he was on the same page as Mick. Mick kept him from being suspended and gave him a title match. Rollins wants to know why Roman’s in the match? Mick says that Roman was screwed out of the title just as much as Rollins was. Rollins says that there’s no comparison between him and Reigns. He’s the man and Mick would know that if he binged watch the WWE Network.
Rollins doesn’t want any distractions like Reigns being added into the match and get his hands on the title. If Mick is not going to do anything about it, maybe we should talk to Stephanie. Mick says that Stephanie is in Singapore and all Stephanie cares about is wins over Smackdown. Rollins says that he’ll take things into his own hands. Mick tells Rollins to not question his integrity. Foley doesn’t want Rollins to interfere in the main event. Rollins won’t question Mick’s integrity, but he tells Mick that if he is going to continue to support Stephanie, that he’s a fool.
Good segment as they continue to tease that Stephanie did know about Triple H’s actions two weeks ago and that Foley is getting played by them. It’s year 2000 all over again.

7. Nia Jax & Alicia Fox Brawl
Jax shoves Fox into the ropes. Jax drives Fox into the corner. Jax rams her shoulders repeatedly to the midsection of Fox. Fox with a forearm strike to Jax. Jax with a right hand that sends Fox crashing to the outside. Fox with a big boot to the face of Jax. Fox with a series of right hands to Jax. Jax launches Fox repeatedly back first into the barricade. Jax spears Fox through the barricade. The match is called off. Referees attend to Alicia Fox. 
My Thoughts:
Well Nia Jax continues to dominate and Fox is her next victim. The barricade spot was cool and something you rarely see with the women. This is why Nia Jax is special, because the fact that she is different in size, they have ability to do unique spots such as this one with her. The question is, who is going to be the first to topple Nia Jax? Will it be Bayley again? Will it be Paige? Will it be one of the other two of the Four Horsewomen? Time will tell.

– Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn is announced for Clash of Champions. WOO! I’m actually looking forward to that match.

8. The New Day & The Club Segment
The New Day is in the ring for a promo. They say that The Club tried their hands at entertainment but Xavier reminds the Club that entertainment is The New Day’s thing. Don’t touch their thing.  If you missed it, they brought out the Old Day and let’s look at it.  They say they destroyed the footage. Kofi says that Gallows and Anderson wasted five minutes and thirty-seven seconds of your time. Could you think about the better things you could be doing during that time? Woods says that you can listen to any song on the Hamilton soundtrack or you can watch Ravens highlights.
Big E and Xavier wants to why Kofi is pandering. Big E says he wishes he could have Obi Wan Kenobi-ed himself and this was not the skit you were looking for. Xavier says they could have eaten BOOTY-Os.  Xavier says that was a dumpster fire and it will never happen as long as they are WWE Tag Team Champions. The Club comes out to interrupt The New Day. Club is surprised that New Day is calling them jokes when they have BOOTY O’s, unicorn horns and trombones. Gallows says that the Club will become the next WWE Tag Team Champions at Clash of Champions.
My Thoughts:
The Raw creative team had their fun experiment with Gallows and Anderson as comedic characters but I’m glad their back to being them badass selves. The New Day are enough comedy for a feud, let their opponents be legit. Lets not have this feud be about testicles but about being the best tag team on Raw.

9. The Club def. The New Day w/ Big E
Woods with a flying elbow drop to Anderson. Gallows knocks Kofi off the ring apron. Woods with a superkick to the knee of Gallows. Anderson attacks Woods from behind. The Club plants Woods with the Magic Killer to pickup the victory.
My Thoughts:
Finally we’re back on track with The Club being badasses and regaining their dignity with this victory. The Club just beat The New Day clean, and it leaves you wondering why they wouldn’t be able to do it again. I’m not bored of The New Day, but I am read for new tag team champions. Hell, The Club should have been 3 months into their tag team championship reign already. If they don’t beat the New Day at Clash of Champions for the tag team titles, I’m really going to start losing faith that the Club will ever be used properly in the WWE.

-They hype Wednesday’s Cruiserweight Classic Finale, and the debut of the cruiserweight on Raw next week.
I’m very intrigued in how they’re going to introduce the division and how they’re going to incorporate them into the show. Don’t get me wrong, they have more than enough time to fill where they could utilize them. However, are they just going to have random matches or will there be storylines? Also the big question on everyone’s mind already, is if there is going to be a Cruiserweight Championship for this division?

10. Jinder Mahal def. Jack Swagger
Mahal makes his way to the ring and cuts a promo about when he left the WWE the last time he was filled with anger and rage. He is now a man of peace and wanted everyone to chant “shanti” with him. This brings out Jac Swagger and they end up having a match. The finish came after Swagger plants Mahal with a side belly to belly suplex.  Jinder Mahal ducks a clothesline from Swagger. Swagger goes for the Swagger Bomb, but Mahal gets his boot up in the air. Mahal drops Swagger with a modified neck breaker to pick up the victory.
My Thoughts:
Its great to see Jinder Mahal actually being utilized with an actual gimmick since returning to the WWE. However, I wish they stopped using the stereotypical gimmicks just because of his nationality. I do however see how this could work. Imagine Mahal being the man of the peace but becoming more vicious and aggressive in the ring, which would be the complete opposite of his new peaceful attitude. Jinder Mahal has a ton of potential and its being wasted with these silly gimmicks, but Mahal is one of those guys who will try to make the best of whatever is given to him. At least he’s picking up victories again. As for Swagger, we find out afterwards that his “Raw” contract was coming to an end…keyword being “Raw”, therefore I see Swagger ending up on Smackdown. This would make Swagger the first one to jump ship. There might even be more opportunity for him on the blue brand anyway.

11. Epico w/ Primo def. Enzo Amore w/ Big Cass
Enzo and Cass cut a promo prior to the match. The finish comes whenBig Cass with a big boot to Primo. Epico with a suicide dive onto Big Cass and then Enzo with a cross body off the turnbuckles onto Epico. Enzo goes for a suplex but Primo grabs Enzo’s leg. Epico scores the pinfall. 
My Thoughts:
Enzo and Cass are one of the hottest acts not only on Raw but on the entire main roster. The Shining Stars are the complete opposite of that. They’re not over or even cared for what so ever. They picked up the victory here and it just left me wondering why. Why are they feuding? Why are the Shining Stars winning? Why?

12. Rollins & Owens Backstage Confrontation
Rollins approaches Owen’s who’s heading to the ring for his match. Owens tells Rollins to remember the warning Mick Foley gave him earlier in the night. Rollins wants Owens to beat Roman tonight so their match can be one-on-one. Rollins calls Triple H a coward and since Triple H won’t show up on Raw, what better thing than to take the title from his golden boy. Owens doesn’t need luck and Roman won’t be in the match since he will beat him. Owens said he would think that Rollins would want Roman in the match since Roman did most of the dirty work during the Shield days while you just picked up the win. Owen goes on insulting Rollins by saying throughout Rollins career he had Reigns, Ambrose, Kane, J&J Security, and Jon Stewart to do his bidding. Owen’s said Rollins biggest supporter was Triple H, but Hunter found a better person to get behind for the future. Owens said ever since Rollins has come back, you let down Raw by letting Ambrose keep the WWE Title, lost to Finn Balor who had one arm and yet Owens won the title on his first chance. He says the motto should be rebuilt, redesigned, and replaced. Mick rushes in before anything happens between the two guys and tells Owens to go to the ring for his match. Owens tells Rollins not to get involved in the match or there will be consequences.
My Thoughts: 
I loved every second of this confrontation between the two. It wasnt an in ring segment or anything but it built up more tension between two guys who were both “heels” the last year and therefore got along up until now. I like how Rollins isn’t really a babyface or heel yet but confused and feeling betrayed. Considering how many people Rollins backstabbed the past few years, it feels weird to actually feel bad for him. As for Owen’s, anytime he speaks its complete gold and it has my attention. This was great to build unpredictably for the upcoming main event and to build the match between these two guys officially showing beef between the two. These two are possibly my top two favourite wrestlers of the New Era.

13.  If Roman wins he gets added to the Universal Title Match at Clash of Champions: Kevin Owens def. Roman Reigns
The match was really competitive. There was a spot during the match where Seth Rollins runs down to the ring and attacks Owens to cause the disqualification. Rollins is backed away by Finlay and Adam Pearce. Mick Foley announces that the match will not end like that. Mick orders the match to be restarted. Foley argues with Rollins to the backstage area and the match resumes. The finish of the match wasReigns drops Owens with the SuperMan Punch for a two count. Reigns connects with the Drive By. Reigns rolls Owens into the ring. Owens with a Superkick to Reigns. Owens connects with the Cannonball. Owens goes for the Pop Up Powerbomb, but Reigns leapfrogs over Owens. Reigns plants Owens with the sitout powerbomb for a two count. Rusev hops onto the ring apron. Reigns with a SuperMan Punch that knocks Rusev off the ring apron. Owens plants Reigns with the Pop Up Powerbomb to pickup the victory. After the match, Rusev drops Reigns with a leaping axe kick. Rusev goes to the ground and pound attack. Rusev gets Reigns in the Accolade.
My Thoughts:
This was a really good match. If there is one thing to expect week after week on Raw, that is that the main event is usually a really good match. I had a feeling and predicted earlier of Instagram that I expected Rusev to return to attack Reigns, thus costing him his spot in the Universal Championship match at Clash of Champions. This match was great and the drama that took place during the match involving Rollins and Rusev all made sense so I didnt mind it.

– Following the match Rusev continues his beat down on Roman Reigns with Lana standing on top of the ramp watching on and holding the US Title as Raw goes off the air.

Final Thoughts
This Raw fell from the Raw the week earlier and Im quite surprised. I would think that WWE would try to harder to compete with Football that is on, on Mondays. Last week’s Raw felt like a reboot of the brand following Finn Balor’s injury because it was the first week of Owens reign but this week it felt as if they fell back into being basic. This Raw wasnt bad but it wasn’t anything spectacular. There are flaws in the writing and storylines but nothing that makes them totally horrible. It still just feels like 3 hours is too long and because of it, we get a whole bunch of filler stuff. I don’t know to be honest. There were good segments, good matches and an awesome main event. Yet I still wasnt feeling it. Let me know how you felt about this edition of Raw. Dig it?!
Final TWC Rating – 6.5/10
Last Weeks RAW TWC Rating – 8/10

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That is it for this weeks Monday Night Raw Review. I hope you guys enjoyed it and leave your feedback, opinions and ideas about Raw below.