Raw Review 12/12/2016

Tonight from the city of Brotherly Love we see the go home edition of Monday Night Raw as Roadblock: End of the Line is this Sunday! Will The New Day make history as they just need to hold their titles until midnight to become the longest reigning tag team champions in history. First though they will have to get by Sheamus and Cesaro and The Club. Plus what kind of mood will Chris Jericho be in after Kevin Owens cost him the United States Championship last week. We will also see who has the upper hand heading in to sunday’s Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens. Also what will Charlotte do next as she slapped her father and took out The Boss Sasha Banks as Raw went off the air last week.

Raw is live tonight from the Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA.
Raw kicks off with us being welcomed to the show by Michael Cole, Corey Graves & Byron Saxton.

Match 1: The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) vs Sheamus & Cesaro vs The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) for the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions
Cesaro and Kofi start out the match. Kofi tries for a hurricanrana but Cesaro is able to cartwheel out of it. Kofi hits a crossbody but Cesaro is quickly up and he lands a nice vertical suplex. Sheamus gets the tag and comes in hot. Sheamus hits an axe handle from the top rope. Kofi is able to land a standing drop kick and Big E gets the tag. Big E hits a big tackle but it is not enough to keep Sheamus down. Kofi gets the tag again. Sheamus goes for a suplex but Kofi counters. Anderson is able to get the tag. Anderson takes it to Kofi and Gallows gets the tag. Gallows hits Kofi in the corner and Anderson follows it up with a big kick. The Club is in control as we go to break.
We are back and Anderson has Kofi in a chin lock. Kofi is able to get out but Anderson quickly hits him with an elbow. Gallows hits a headbutt to Kofi’s spin. Gallows hits a big boot and is in the match. Kofi is able to regain some control with a spinning drop kick from the second rope. Sheamus tags himself in and sends Gallows over the top rope. Sheamus hits the Ten Beats of the Bodhran on Gallows. Sheamus plants Gallows but Big E breaks up the pin. The Club hits the Magic Killer on Sheamus but cesaro breaks it up. Cesaro gets the tag and comes in with fire. He hits a clothesline and knocks down Gallows. He hits an uppercut and a 619. He hits a crossbody and goes for a pin but Anderson kicks out. Cesaro hits The cesaro swing on Anderson and lock in the Sharpshooter. Big E tries to break it up and cesaro sends him over the top rope. Sheamus gets the tag. He hits a Brogue but Kofi hits a Trouble in Paradise on him. He goes for the cover and Big E holds Cesaro to prevent him from breaking up the tag. Kofi gets the pin 1 2 3. Still your Champions and longest reigning tag team champions in history The new Day.
Winner: The New Day
My Opinion:
Congratulations to The New Day on making history. The match itself was really good. It was fast paced and very entertaining. These are the three best tag teams on Raw if not in the entire WWE at this point and it shows.That is great that history was made but I am still waiting for the titles to change hands. I think Sheamus and cesaro deserve it and I hope they get a run before they break up. I don’t know if either will get shots at singles gold so this is their best chance for a title. Overall though it was a solid way to start Raw.

Backstage Segment
People form the Raw locker room are celebrating The new Day breaking the record. Stephanie makes a toast the longest reigning WWE tag team championships. Stephanie though ends up getting drenched in champagne and leaves the party.

Backstage Segment
Kevin Owens stops Stephanie and says New Day doesn’t deserve to be champions after pouring champagne on her. Stephanie tells him to spit it out if he needs a favor. He says he has an idea. She tells him to wait.

Match 2: Braun Strowman vs Curtis Axel
Axel tries throwing forearms at Strowman but Strowman gets on the offensive. He hits a big splash in the corner. He gets Axel in the torture rack but Axel fights out of it. Axel goes to fly but Strowman swats him down. Strowman plants Axel for the win.
*** After the match Byron tries to interview Strowman. Strowman tells him to congratulate him then ask him questions. Byron congratulations and asks Strowman’s thoughts on Sami Zayn’s tweet. Strowman says Foley is protecting Zayn as he should and that no one can hang with him for two minutes.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
Strowman was dominating as always. A very quick match and nothing we haven’t seen. It is getting to the time when we need to see something more. These squash matches only have so much life span and it is starting to get old. For Strowman it doesn’t even really help in as championships and good rivalries pass on by while he is just wrestling for less than two minutes every show.

Backstage Segment:
Zayn marches into Foley’s office. Zayn says he is sick of this and wants this ,match against strowman. Foley says he can’t. Zayn says he can’t or he won’t. Zayn says who would you be if they stopped you. Foley claims sometimes he wishes someone would have stopped him. Foley tells him Strowman is looking to end his career and that he would put Zayn up against anyone but Strowman. Zayn says it is fine you don’t believe in me and that maybe he shouldn’t be on Raw anymore. Foley says out of respect for him he will call Daniel Bryan and work out a trade.

Match 3: Ariya Davari vs Lince Dorado
The two lock up and Davari quickly gets a headlock. Davari takes Dorado down with a shoulder tackle but it is not enough for the win. Dorado connects with a big heel kick. Dorado hits a springboard crossbody but Davari is out of the cover. Davari is able to capitalize with a big clothesline. Out comes Jack Gallagher. Jack says that Davari is a scoundrel. He says that tonight he is here to give Davari a thrashing. Davari and Gallagher start going at it on the outside. Gallagher gets in the ring and sends Davari to the outside with a drop kick.
Winner: Ariya Davari via DQ
My Opinion:
For the short time the match was it was okay. There really wasn’t much of anything but given no interference these two would’ve had a solid match. Davari is starting to become well known now and i think people enjoy watching him. He brings the rough fighting style to the cruiserweight division. I like the storyline with him and Gallagher because it ,makes it feel like these guys are actual part of the roster and not a side show.

Rollins Report:
Rollins welcomes everyone to the Rollins Report. Rollins tells again that he wants Triple H. He says his path to him goes through Kevin Owens. He says to isolate Owens he has to get rid of Jericho and he has the opportunity this sunday. He asks is it going to be Rollins vs Jericho or Rollins vs Jericho with Owens? He states that he doesn’t have the answers but is guest does. He introduces Owens.
Owens walks out but then walks to the back. He comes back out with a stool and sits down on the stage. Rollins ask what he is doing all the way up there. Owens ask Rollins if he actually thought he was going to come down there. Owens states that he has an announcement to make. Rollins tells Owens that they got to know how his friendship is with Jericho. Owens says Rollins doesn’t need to worry about their friendship. Owens says that on sunday both with have each others back. Owens says as far as the announcement don’t cut me off again. Rollins says or what. Owens proclaims he will come down and break Rollins face. Owens says that tonight The New Day will defend their titles tonight against him and Jericho. Out comes Jericho.
Jericho asks Owens if he is crazy. He ask Owens if he really thinks that he would agree to be his tag team partner. Owens says maybe he should have listened to Jericho. Owens tells him to stop thinking about the past and think about the future. Owens tells that the match will happen one way or another. He claims that Jericho could stay mad or work with him and win. Rollins butts in and says it sounds like Owens is telling him what to do. Jericho tells him to shut up. Rollins says or what. Jericho says he will put Rollins on the disabled list and makes a beeline for the ring. Owens and Jericho both go after Rollins. They double team Rollins and trash talk him. Out comes Roman Reigns. Roman runs to the ring. He quickly goes after both men wiht rights. Jericho and Owens to get to him but Rollins comes to his rescue. Reigns and Rollins work together to take out Owens and Jericho.
My Opinion:
It was entertaining but Rollins needs to own what he is saying. It sounds like some of the stuff he is saying is forced. This rivalry between these four men is getting a little old and it is just the same stuff week after week. Before it was funny and refreshing but the talking is getting stale. They are better when they shut up and put up.
Charly is backstage with Rich Swann. She asks him about his match this sunday. Rich Swann says it doesn’t matter who it is. Kendrick says Swann seems pretty confident. Kendrick says if not for Perkins he would be champion. Swann says he already knows what Kendrick is trying to do. Kendrick says there is no such things as alliances. Perkins jumps in and asks Kendrick if he needs swann to let him win this sunday. Perkins says Swann can find out on sunday and Kendrick can find out right now.

Match 4: TJ Perkins vs Brian Kendrick
Kendrick goes after Perkins. He works Perkins arm and hits a shoulder tackle on perkins. Perkins with some swift rolls is able to hit a drop kick on Kendrick. Perkins takes down Kendrick and looks for the knee bar but Kendrick makes it to the ropes. Perkins looks for the detonation kick but Kendrick counters. Perkins sends Kendrick over the top and hits a wrecking ball drop kick to take Kendrick out on the outside as we head to break.
As we return Kendrick has Perkins in a chin lock but Perkins gets out of it. Perkins hits a big spin kick. Both men struggle to get to their feet. Perkins lands big rights to Kendrick. He catches Kendrick at his knees. He gets Kendrick tied up in the ropes and lands a dropkick. He follows it up with a missile drop kick from the top rope. Kendrick gets back on the offensive. He drops Perkins and looks to set up Perkins for the Captain’s Hook but Perkins counters into the knee bar. Kendrick quickly gets to the ropes. Kendrick is able to hit Slice Bread. He goes for the pin and gets the win 1 2 3.
Winner: Brian Kendrick
My Opinion:
These two put on great matches against each other as they know one another very well. Perkins has fallen off the map for me so it was nice seeing him in a solid match to help boost him up again. I think both men are the crutch of the Cruiserweight division and are the two it was really built on. I think their rivalry was short lived and matches like this is what the division needs.

Backstage Segment:
Foley tells Rollins and Reigns they looked good out there. Reigns says he has one focus Owens and the Universal Championship. Foley says he is here talking about tonight. Foley says tonight he is giving an opportunity. He is putting Rollins and Reigns in the match for the tag team championships.

Match 5: Bayley vs Alicia Fox
Bayley quickly takes down Fox. Bayley works on Fox with swift submissions. Fox uses a big leg kick to the back of Bayley’s neck but it is not enough to put her away. Fox hits a suplex and follows up with a northern lights suplex. Fox then lands some forearms to Bayley. Bayley quickly hits the Bayley to Belly for the win.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
Bayley continues to rack up the wins which is great to see. I think it is a matter of time before she is champion or at least in the hunt for it. Her facing Alicia isn’t the most entertaining but at least she is getting good work in there with a veteran. These two have semi quick matches but they are very good. They land their moves and bring out good sides of each other. I think Bayley deserves more but for now it is what it is and she just needs to keep getting wins.

In Ring Segment:
Rusev states that ever since he has gotten here he has destroyed the American heros. Last week though he took out American garbage. He says that the G in certified G stands for garbage. He then asks if the crowd wants to see what happened last week between him and Lana behind closed doors. They then say they would never show what they do behind closed doors. They says everyone in America is stupid and delusional. Rusev states that Lana came up with the plan to trap Enzo. Out comes Big Cass.
Cass says Enzo is at home recovering. Cass states that Enzo likes to run his mouth but at least he has the balls to back it up. Cass says his pants are on and he is not Enzo. cass runs down to the ring. Css and Rusev go at it. Rusev tackles Cass through the ropes. Cass bounces Rusev off the barricade and lands a nice kick. Rusev fends off Cass and retreats.
My Opinion:
Rusev and Lana’s whole stupid American spiel gets really old. It is overused and They need to work on different ways to draw heat. I love Rusev and Cass going at it though. That is a matchup that I would love to see. I could see Big Cass really becoming something and maybe another feud as a singles guy is what he needs. Hopefully and Cass and Rusev will lock up soon and we can see them go at it. They really took it to each other for the short time they went at it tonight.

Backstage Segment:
Owens tells Jericho that Foley put Rollins and Reigns in the match because he has it out for them. Owens states that it is him and Jericho vs the world just like it is always going to be. Jericho tells him to focus on winning the titles tonight.

Match 6: Sami Zayn vs Jinder Mahal
Mahal tries to back up Zayn into the corner but Zayn counters and lands a nice chop. Zayn lands a nice drop kick to Mahal. Zayn launches himself over the top rope and takes down Mahal. Mahal lands a big running knee but it isn’t enough to beat Zayn. Mahal goes for another cover but Zayn is up again. Mahal tries to wear down Zayn but Zayn is able to hit a strong clothesline. He follows up with an exploder suplex into the corner. He lands the Helluva kick to Mahal for the victory.
*** Out comes Foley. Foley says he just got off the phone with Daniel Bryan. He states that Zayn will going to SmackDown Live he just has to sign the deal. Zayn says it depends on one thing and asks for the match with strowman again. Foley says no. Zayn says he will sign whatever he has to sign. Foley says before he signs wouldn’t he like to know the talent that he is getting traded for. Foley says they agreed to trade Zayn for Eva Marie. Zayn says he is worth 100 Eva Marie’s, a 1000 of Eva Marie’s. Zayn says it blows his mind because Foley use to be him. Zayn says he is sick of paying for Foley’s mistake. Foley screams what do you want. Zayn grabs Foley and says damn it give me Braun Strowman. Foley tells him to remember this moment in time and duplicate it on Sunday night when he faces Braun Strowman at Roadblock. Foley says there was never a trade. He says he would never trade Sami Zayn from Raw. He claims he just needed to make sure Zayn had it in him to face Strowman and he found his answer and that is yes. Foleys states he is giving Zayn ten minutes to prove it on sunday.
Winner: Sami Zayn
My Opinion:
The match wasn’t much of anything but the fire that came out in Zayn when he was talking to Mick Foley was chilling. It was emotion we haven’t seen from Zayn that much and it made me believe in him. I can’t wait for sunday to see what he will do. This whole storyline has been great for him. We as fans feel like they had given up on Zayn and to bring to light gives it a sense of realness you can’t duplicate. Zayn and Foley bring out so much emotion in each other and it is like these two are one in the same.

Match 7: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs JeriKO (Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens) vs Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins: Raw Tag Team Champions
Woods starts off the match with Rollins. Woods locks up Rollins and is able to take him down with a leg sweep. Rollis is able to hit the Sling Blade on Woods. Reigns gets the tag. Reigns gets a side headlock on Big E. Big E tries to spear Reigns off the apron but Reigns catches him with the knee. Jericho tags Reigns to get himself into the match. Jericho stomps on Big E and Owens gets the tag. Owens hits strong rights and lands a big kick. Owens lands nice elbows to Big E and then shoulders to his gut. Jericho gets the tag and slaps big E. Big E lands open hands slaps but a side step by Jericho puts him back in control. Jericho lands a kick to Big E’s head and tags in Owens. Owens tries to get Big E on his shoulders but is unable to do so. Both men take each other down with a double clothesline. Woods come back in and lands chops to Owens. Owens and Jericho try to double suplex Woods off the top rope but Rollins gets involved. Big E and Reigns get involved and we have a double powerbomb suplex from the top rope.
Back from the break and Owens has Woods in the center of the ring in a chin lock. Owens tries to cover Woods but Woods is out at 2. Owens goes back to the chin lock. Owens lets go of Woods and lands a cheap shot on Reigns. Owens goes for a senton but woods rolls out of the way. Big E and Jericho get the tags. Big E comes in and delivers three belly to bellies. Rollins tags himself in and sends Big E out of the ring. H
E then sends Jericho out of the rin. Rollins hits a suicide dive on Jericho. He then hits a suicide dive on Big E. Reigns gets the tag and hits the sit down powerbomb. Reigns hits the Superman Punch on Owens and Jericho tries to roll up Reigns on the distraction but Reigns kicks out. Woods tags himself in and elbows Reigns form the top rope. He goes for the cover but reigns kicks out. Reigns stuns Woods with a right. Rollin tags himself in and hits a knee on Woods. Rollins goes to the top but Jericho sneaks up from behind. Jericho makes the tag and hits the Lionsault but Woods kicks out. Jericho lands hard chops to Woods. Jericho locks in the walls. Woods is able to turn on his back and roll up Jericho but Jericho kicks out. Owens gets involved and hits a superkick to Woods. Owens throws up Woods and jericho hits the codebreaker. The pin is broken up by Rollins shoving Owens on to Jericho. Rollins takes out Jericho with the Pedigree. Rollins is pulled out of the ring by Big E and Woods covers Jericho for the win. The New Day have now officially broken the record for being the longest tag team champions in history.
*** After the match Jericho tells Owens this is over. Jericho tells Owens to turn around and Reigns spears Owens. Raw goes off the air with Reigns holding both the Universal and the United States Championships.
Winners: The New Day and still the tag team champions
My Opinion:
A very competitive match to end Raw. it was so back and forth but I think everyone knew The New Day would retain. I loved how Raw went off the air and I think Reigns is really working his way back to being the guy again. Owens and Jericho’s story line is running its course and will need something refreshing soon. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out this sunday. Again though Congrats to The New Day on making history.

Final Thoughts:
It was kind of a boring Raw. For the most part it was dull and nothing really refreshing. We didn’t even get to see Charlotte or sasha wrestle tonight or even appear. The highlights of the show for me is first the emotion we saw from Sami Zayn. He really sold it and made me excited to see him vs Strowman this sunday. Also the ending triple threat tag team match was very fast paced and back and forth. I think the main events for Raw are really starting to deliver each week and are solid 4 star if not higher matches. It will be interesting to see how Roadblock will change things and who knows what next week’s Raw will hold. It was a safe Raw but it did get me hyped for sunday so it did its job.
Overall Rating: 7/10