Raw Review 12/05/2016

Everything’s bigger in Texas as Raw is live tonight from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Tonight we will see how The Queen Charlotte is coping with losing her title last week and having her father The Nature Boy raise The Boss’s hand after Sasha Banks recaptured the Raw Women’s Championship? Also everyone look out with Seth Rollins on the loose. After attacking Chris Jericho last week who will Rollins strike at next? Not to mention is the KO show about to be canceled now that Roman Reigns is the #1 contender for the Universal Championship. Plus after a heated exchange last week with Mick Foley will Sami Zayn come in with a cooler head this week or still be seeking opportunity? All of this on Monday Night Raw!

---

Raw is live tonight from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton.

In Ring Segment:
Raw starts off with Seth Rollins! Rollins starts by saying that he wants Triple H. He talks about dismantling The Shield and the choices and consequences that come with it. He states that Triple H made the choice to bet against Seth Rollins. He states that his attack on Jericho was a message to The Game. He claims getting to Triple H is very simple he just has to beat Kevin Owens and become the Universal Champion. He says he can beat Owens he just has to remove Jericho from the picture. He proclaims that the Kevin Owens show isn’t ready for prime time. Out comes Kevin Owens.
Rollins asks how Jericho is doing. Owens says he knows what Rollins is trying to do. Owens states that sometimes best friends fight. Owens pokes at Rollins for abandoning The Shield. Owens tells Rollins that he doesn’t have to worry about his and Jericho’s friendship. Owens says he got Jericho three gifts for christmas. Rollins says he hopes it is enough for all the times Jericho helped him out. Owens states he is sick of people saying he doesn’t deserve the title. He claims he is a fighting champion and it is all about Fight Owens Fight. Rollins says if he is such a fighting champion put the title on the line right now. Owens says it is not happening because he already did that two weeks ago, and he has a match against Sami Zayn tonight. Owens says that tonight Jericho has a shot for the United States Championship. He also tells that at Roadblock Jericho will take on Rollins. Owens then tells Rollins he has a match right now and out comes the Big Show.
My Opinion:
Rollins was very hyped up in this promo. I thought he did well and hopefully he will finally get a match win Triple H. Word was it was suppose to happen this past Wrestlemania so hopefully it will come to be. Owens getting fired up was nice. He needs to show raw emotion and not always do the joking stuff. I enjoyed the segment but to me it felt a little rushed.

Match 1: Seth Rollins vs Big Show
Big Show starts by pushing Rollins down. Rollins is able to back Show into the corner and throw punches at him. Show pushes him down and then follows up with a shoulder tackle. Show lands a huge shot to Rollins chest and follows up with some more. Rollins gets tossed into the corner and Show crashes into him. Rollins is able to take Show out at the knees and send him out of the ring. Rollins goes for a suicide dive but is caught by Show. Show throws Rollins down. Show and Rollins get back in the ring and Show looks for the Chokeslam. Rollins counters with kick to the knees and continues to attack Show. Show is able to fight off Rollins and send him to the floor. Rollins meets him back on the apron and kicks Show in the face. Rollins continues to try to knock show down with knees and after a third Show goes down. Rollins looks for the Pedigree but Show turns it into a back drop. Owens is on the apron yelling at Show to finish him. Show doesn’t take kindly and Chokeslams Owens. Show steps out of the ring and tells Rollins Owens is all his. Rollins wins via count out.
*** After the match Rollins kicks Owens and then Pedigrees him.
Winner: Seth Rollins
My Opinion:
Big Show looked great out there and that’s good heading into Wrestlemania season. He lost a ton of weight. He was really dominate and I hope before he goes he gets one last good feud. Rollins did what he could. He didn’t do much but hit his spots. I liked what Show did at the end because he has been gone to long to be a heel and come out and just beat Rollins. I thought it was a good ending and a smooth way to start Raw. Eventually Rollins will win the title so I like keeping up the rivalry with him and Owens even if it is just a little bit.

Match 2: Jack Gallagher vs Davari
Gallagher gets Davari in a nice arm lock. Davari is able to get out and get Gallagher into a crossface. Gallagher gets out but Davari lands a nice kick to the gut. Gallagher is able to get back on the offensive and take Davari down. Davari nice kicks to Gallagher but it isn’t enough for the win. Gallagher lands a couple nice drop kicks and lands a huge headbutt to Davari. Gallagher lands a running drop kick and is able to put Davari away for the win.
*** After the match Gallagher tries to shake Davari’s hand but Davari attacks him.
Winner: Jack Gallagher
My Opinion:
Gallagher was very impressive. He has looked very good his last two matches. He brings a unique style we haven’t seen before. Things like the running drop kick is very innovative. He wrestles very smooth and it is fun to watch. Davari did well as always. He is a brawler and it shows. He gets right into it and doesn’t mess around. I look at this two to be at the top of division for some time to come.

Backstage Segment:
Owens stops Foley in the back says he shouldn’t be competing tonight. Foley says the match is happening and the match is taking place tonight. Owens stops Jericho backstage and asks Jericho if he saw what happened. Jericho says he didn’t. Owens tells Jericho about the matches he got him. Owen’s asks Jericho if they are good and Jericho says no.

Backstage segment:
Enzo and Cass are backstage and see Rusev and Lana arguing. Enzo says he doesn’t stand for that. Cass tells Rusev to calm down. Rusev says it is none of his business. Lana tells Rusev that he is trying to help. Rusev says maybe Lana needs a pathetic man like Enzo. Lana throws her ring at Rusev. Enzo picks it up and gives it to her. Enzo says he is a great listener and asks Lana how she is doing.

Backstage Segment:
Lana tells Enzo that she thinks Rusev takes him for granted. She says that maybe if Rusev saw her with another man he wouldn’t take her for granted. She invites Enzo to her hotel room.

Match 3: Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens
Owens and Zayn start throwing punches at each other and Owens goes to the outside. Zayn meets him out there and throws him into the barricade. Zayn rolls Owens into the ring. Owens launches himself over the top rope into Zayn. Zayn gets up and follows up with flying over the ropes himself onto Owens.
We are back and Owens has Zayn in a chokehold. Owens wrenches it in on Zayn and Zayn slowly fades. Zayn feeds off the crowd and is able to get to a vertical base. Owens quickly drops him down. Zayn doesn’t stay down and lands a big clothesline. Zayn is able to catch Owens and turn him inside out. Zayn lands a forearm and then a tornado ddt onto the apron. Owens goes back to the outside. Zayn goes to the outside and launches himself into the ddt taking out Owens. Zayn tries putting away Owens with a half and half suplex but Owens is out at 2. Zayn tries for a suplex off the top rope but Owens counters and lands one himself. Zayn is able to kick out of the cover. Owens lands a Cannonball on Zayn. He then lands a second. On a third attempt Zayn catches him but Owens fights out. Zayn is able to land a third tornado ddt. Zayn goes for the Helluva kick but Owens hits a superkick. Zayn is able to hit an exploder suplex and a thunder bomb but Owens kicks out.Zayn hits an exploder suplex into the barricade. Back in the ring Owens is able to hit a pop up powerbomb for the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
My Opinion:
Always a good match when these two square off. They both took each other to the limit in this one. Sami Zayn looked very good and I think he showed he deserves more than what he is given because he can hang. Owens did some very impressive moves like the suplex off the top rope. He shows he is deserving of the championship and I like that he continues to up his style every time he is out there. I think for both of them they have that indy wrestling mindset to always up your game and strive to be better. Owens winning was a good move as you can’t continue to knock him down. I like Owens being pushed to his limits and I think that is what makes a champion. Not always being dominate but proving that you can win in tough situations. Both proved they have a lot in them and hopefully we continue to see the best out of these two. Owens didn’t steal the show tonight but overall it was a solid match.

Backstage segment:
Reigns meets Jericho in his locker room. Reigns tells Jericho to watch how he talks to him and to get focused because he has a big match. Jericho says maybe tonight Reigns luck runs out and he loses. Reigns says maybe Jericho is just doing Owens dirty work.

Backstage segment:
Charly congratulates Sasha and asks how it felt to beat Charlotte in her home town. Sasha said it took everything out of her but She walked out with the crown. Sasha says that everyone knows that Ric cost her the title but he deserves better. She says that Charlotte brings the greatness out of her and that she can’t wait to do it again. Sasha says that at Roadblock how about we make history again, she challenges Charlotte to an Ironwomen match.

Match 4: Rich Swann vs Tj Perkins
Perkins gets Swann in a wrist lock. Swann reverses it into a wrist lock of his own. Swann lands a standing drop kick to Perkins. Swann lands a big clothesline and hits Perkins in the midsection with his calf. Swann lands a nice suplex but Perkins kicks out. Swann lands a side russian leg sweep. He lands a rolling thunder into the splash. Swann turns a waist lock into an abdominal stretch. Perkins throws right hands and lands an atomic drop. Perkins goes to Swann’s knees and takes him down. Perkins tries for a kneebar but Swann counters. Perkins tries to fly off the ropes but Swann catches him in mid-air with a superkick. Perkins goes down for the 1 2 3.
Winner: Rich Swann
My Opinion:
Swann was very impressive. As always his kicks are always on point. They sound so devastating and his moveset is very impressive. Swann knows how to work in the ring and work things like an opponent’s wrist or even an abdominal stretch and keep it interesting. It is too bad that Perkins is where he is. In this match he was somewhat dominated and didn’t get to pull off that many moves. Perkins has started slipping down the ladder and hopefully he will rise again. Swann as champion looks like a good choice right now and he is doing exceptional work in the ring. We will see how the rematch between Swann and Kendrick goes tomorrow on 205 Live.

Match 5: Bayley vs Alicia Fox
Alicia starts right away going after Bayley. She lands a nice dropkick and takes down Bayley. Alicia lands a northern lights suplex but it isn’t enough to put away Bayley. She locks a chinlock on Bayley but Bayley is able to kick out. Bayley takes down Alica and shows some fire. Bayley is able to land the Bayley to Belly for the win.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
This was an okay match. I feel like Bayley is better than getting manhandled by Alicia. Nonetheless Bayley did pick up the win. I don’t know why Alicia is coming back in the picture now but she shouldn’t be beating Bayley like that. Bayley in my opinion should be on Smackdown being the Women’s champion, not getting little storylines like this that are meaningless. I am impatiently waiting for Bayley’s push.

Backstage Segment:
Enzo tells Cass he wants to go to the hotel room. Cass says that she is trouble. Enzo says he got a text from Lana and shows it to Cass. Enzo says he is going to get changed and he is out of there. Rusev asks Cass where his wife is. Cass says that is not his problem. Rusev pushes him and Cass says he has lost his damn mind. Rusev says meet him in the ring tonight.

Match 6: Titus O’ Neil vs Mark Henry
Titus misses a punch and Henry is able to and the World’s Strongest slam for the win.
Winner: Mark henry
My Opinion:
No I did not miss this match, that was it. I guess it was just a fun match for Henry to have in his home state. There isn’t much to say about this but good win Mark.

Backstage Segment:
Enzo is on the phone and tells the uber driver to find him. Next to him a limo pulls up and The Nature boy comes out. Enzo tells Flair about him meeting this foreign girl. Flair says Enzo can take his limo and to go take care of business.
Jericho is stopped backstage by Owens. Owens says he is still here to make sure there is no injustice. Jericho says the gameplan is he is going to win the title by himself. He says he doesn’t want or need Owens in his corner. He tells Owens to stay out of his business and stay away from him.

Match 7:.Roman Reigns vs Chris Jericho:
United States Championship Match
Jericho throws his scarf at Reigns and take it to him. He lands some knees to the face and nice headbutt. Reigns explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. He throws Jericho into the corner and goes for a splash but is caught by a boot. Reigns gets Jericho in the corner again and lands shots to Jericho’s back and neck. Reigns lands a big slam but it isn’t enough to put Jericho away. Reigns goes to the outside and Jericho launches himself off the top with a crossbody onto Reigns on the outside.
We return and Jericho gets Reigns in a chinlock. Reigns fights out with punches to Jericho’s gut. Jericho is able to land a drop kick. Jericho tries another move on Reigns but gets caught up on the second rope. Reigns gets fired up but Jericho slows the momentum with a boot to the face. Reigns regains control again with a right hand. Reigns is sent through the ropes and Jericho hits a nice dropkick. Jericho gets caught up and Reigns capitalizes with a drive by. Reigns looks for a Superman punch but Jericho catches him. Jericho hits the lionsault but it isn’t enough to put away Reigns. Jericho gets caught by Reigns and Reigns lands a samoan drop followed by a Superman punch but it still doesn’t put Jericho away. Reigns goes for the spear but Jericho catches him with the boot. Jericho goes for the Code Breaker but Reigns catches him and lands a powerbomb. Reigns goes for the cover again but Jericho kicks out. Reigns lands kicks to Jericho in the corner. Jericho is able to reverse Reigns and send him shoulder first into the ring post. Jericho tries to roll him up but Reigns kicks out. Jericho tries to lock in the walls but Reigns powers out. Jericho is able to lock in the walls in the middle of the ring. Reigns powers himself to the ropes to break out. Owens comes out and lands a superkick to Reigns. Jericho lands the Code Breaker but Reigns kicks out of the cover. Jericho argues with Owens and Reigns capitalizes with a spear. Reigns wins and retains the championship.
Winner: Roman Reigns: Still United States Champion
My Opinion:
What a match between these two. Jericho has really been turning up his game. Jericho looks great in there and was hanging with Roman. These two went back and forth and kept you on the edge of your seat. I think this match could have been the main event of the night. Reigns looks solid as ever and you can’t take anything away from him. Jericho definitely can be in the main event picture as he is performing like a main eventer. Overall a well deserved victory for Reigns and Jericho got a taste of his own medicine.

Match 8: Cass vs Rusev
Rusev doesn’t come out for the match. Cass takes a phone and calls Enzo. Enzo is at the hotel and doesn’t answer. Lana answers the door and Enzo says this is not a good idea. Lana starts to cry and hugs Enzo. Enoz says he has to go and he is really uncomfortable. Enzo says he really has to be going but Lana continues to seduce him. Enzo says he really has to go. Lana tells Enzo to take off his pants and he does but says he only has a second. Lana says Enzo is a fool and calls in Rusev. Enzo says he is not into this type of thing. Before he can leave Rusev starts beating him. Rusev sends him through a coffee table and continues to beat on him. Rusev knocks Enzo out and throws him out into the hallway.

Match 9: Cesaro & Sheamus vs The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) : Winner faces The New Day next week for the Raw Tag Team Championship
Anderson and cesaro start off the match. Cesaro is able to land a some big uppercuts and Sheamus gets the tag. Sheamus hits a battering ram but Anderson kicks out. Gallows gets the tag and takes down Sheamus. Sheamus hits a big back breaker and Gallows rolls out of the ring. The Club is distracted by The new Day and Sheamus and cesaro take advantage and take The club out. Sheamus lands a couple upper cuts on Gallows and cesaro gets the tag. Cesaro tries for a pin but Gallows kicks out. Cesaro is on the offensive as we go to break.
We are back and Anderson has cesaro in a chinlock. Cesaro fights back but Anderson hits a spinebuster. He goes for a cover but Cesaro kicks out. Anderson hits a backbreaker and Gallows buries the elbow on Cesaro. They go for The Magic Killer but Sheamus breaks it up. Anderson is sent over the ropes by Cesaro. Cesaro gets the tag on Sheamus. Sheamus comes in and takes it to anderson. Sheamus hits ten beats of the bodhran. Sheamus gets two rollins sentons but it isn’t enough for the win. Sheamus looks for White Noise but Anderson reverse. Cesaro is able to get the tag and land a big crossbody. He then lands a spinning uppercut. Cesaro gets distracted by Gallows and Anderson sends himself and Cesaro over the ropes. The new Day gets involved on the outside and the match is stopped. Sheamus and Cesaro take down the champs.
Winners: No Clear Winner
My Opinion:
A very good contest between these teams. Sheamus and Cesaro looked strong as a team and I am still very high on them. I think they deserve to be champions. On the same note The Club has looked very impressive as of late. They are starting to get to the point we wanted to see them at. I am over The new Day and I think it is time for a change. I think this will turn into a triple threat tag team match for the titles next week and I hope someone will beat The New Day. Both teams are deserving of the tag titles but I think Sheamus and Cesaro stand out. Now you have a powerhouse team as champs on Smackdown and it is time for Raw to have that too.

In Ring Segment:
Charlotte states that 6 months ago she made the biggest mistake of her life. She says that she is ashamed of what she did and what she said. She says that she was a cold-hearted bitch of a daughter. Charlotte claims that it was really hard losing the title because the WWE and that title means everything to her. She says what was harder was watching her father come out and congratulate Sasha. She proclaims that all she ever wanted was her dad’s approval and for him to be proud. She says that every day she questions if she is good enough. She states that it broke her heart last week and that she felt she failed as a daughter. She says that she asked Flair here tonight to give him an apology. Flair comes out and charlotte says she is sorry. She then slaps Flair in the face. She says that she is his daughter and who is Sasha to dedicate her victory to her father. She says flair tuned his back on her. Out comes Sasha. Charlotte takes down Sasha and beats her on the outside. Charlotte launches Sasha into the post and yells that she is the women. Charlotte drags Sasha and says this is pathetic. Charlotte lays Sasha in front of Flair and says that’s your trophy.
My Opinion:
I don’t think that was the best way to end Raw. That didn’t feel like an ending. Charlotte did very well in her promo and really showed true emotion like she mean it. I don’t think the segment was bad but I don’t think it should have ended Raw. They are doing a good job of keeping this storyline fresh and I can’t wait to see these two women go at it in an Ironman match.

Final Thoughts:
Not a bad show. It was a little boring at times but overall it was a Normal Raw. It wasn’t that special but there some matches that really shined. Jericho and Reigns tore down the house. Those two battled and that is how a championship match is done. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens tested each other’s limits as always and had a very solid match. The Cruiserweights had very smooth matches as always. Jack Gallagher brought out some moves we haven’t seen. The running drop kick was very impressive and he looked very sharp. Swann equally looked good on his first Raw as Cruiserweight Champion. The club and Sheamus and Cesaro had a very solid contest as well. These teams are so good in the ring and had a strong match. I don’t like the way it ended but it only makes sense that The New Day has faced both teams individually so it is time for them to take them both on at once. As I stated previously I don’t think the ending segment should have been the ending but it was a good one. There was a lot of emotion in it and Charlotte shinned. I love how they are starting to do more raw storylines. Even all the stiff with Enzo tonight was great. It just takes you away from all the wrestling and gives you a feeling of older Raw’s. I really like the direction WWE is heading and hope they stay on course.
Overall Rating: 6.8/10