Raw Review 12/26/2016

The final episode of Raw in 2016 comes live from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. Tonight, after finding out that he will defend the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble and that during the match his best friend Chris Jericho will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage, what is next for Kevin Owens? Plus after leaving a path of carnage last week what will be the next move for the monster Braun Strowman. Also expected is that we will see more matches announced for the Royal Rumble. With another win over Charlotte last week will Bayley finally get a shot at the Women’s Championship. Other things to look at, what is next for Big Cass and Enzo after Enzo was attacked by Rusev and Jinder Mahal last week. What is the next move for The Boss Sasha Banks after being taken out by Nia Jax? All this and more as we get set for the year of 2016 in WWE to come to end with this final episode of Raw before 2017!

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Raw is live tonight from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL.

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

In Ring Segment: Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie Mcmahon welcomes everyone to Raw and wishes everyone a happy holiday. Steph says let’s get Raw started in a big way and is interrupted by Seth Rollins music.
Rollins wishes a Merry Christmas. He wishes Stephanie a Merry Christmas and asks about Triple H. He asks her if he she gave him his manhood back. She tells Seth that when he goes low he goes higher. She tells how he is the Chief Operating officer of WWE. Seth says that he use to be the baddest guy in WWE. Seth claims that Triple H will be remembered as the biggest coward of all time. Stephanie says that her husband is a bigger champion than Seth will ever be. Rollins says he came here for a fight and asks for a match against Braun Strowman. Out comes Roman Reigns.
Stephanie says let me guess Roman you came out here because you want Braun Strowman too. Roman says he is here to fight. Seth tells him to get to the back of the line because he got there first. Roman says how about I skip the line and go find him right now. Seth says maybe we go back and teach him a lesson like we use too. Stephanie screams let’s go do it. Stephanie says what do you say that for one night only we get the Shield back together since Smackdown is here tomorrow. Stephanie says well that is too bad it is not going to happen. Stephanie tells Seth that he has got Braun tonight and that Roman will be defending his U.S. title tonight against an opponent of her choice. She then announces that to kick off Raw will be a Tag Team Championship rematch.
My Opinion:
It was nice to see Stephanie again. I think they did a good job keeping her off TV and bringing her back makes it feel more special and not so repetitious. Seth and Roman messed up a couple of times but for the most part they just said the same stuff. I still like Seth calling out Triple H but it just feels like it is going to take forever to finally get to that. It will be interesting tonight to see how Braun does against someone like Seth Rollins. It will be a big turning point to see how Braun can shine against a former World Champion. It is also great to see the U.S. title defended since sometimes it feels like that title is forgotten all together. I feel that if Roman is going to keep that title than he has to defend it and they have to stop flip flopping him. I feel someone who will defend it should be champion and move Roman permanently back to the main event picture. Also there was a cheap shot taking at CM Punk by Stephanie when Punk’s hometown crowd wouldn’t stop chanting his name.

Match 1: The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs Cesaro and Sheamus(C): WWE Raw Tag Team Championship Match
Xavier starts off quickly with a big drop kick to Sheamus. Kofi gets the tag and comes in hot. He hits a big splash but can’t get the three count. Cesaro gets the tag but Kofi goes right after him. They stomp on Cesaro in the corner and Kofi and Xavier exchange tags. Xavier ands a big leg drop and then some chops but Cesaro is able to get in control with an uppercut. Sheamus assists Cesaro and sends Xavier over the top rope as we head to break.
As we return Xavier is trying to fight back but Sheamus takes it to him. Sheamus knocks Kofi off the apron and tags in Cesaro. Cesaro lands a big knee off a Sheamus Irish Curse backbreaker but Xavier is able to kick out. Xavier lands a big tornado ddt to cesaro. Kofi and Sheamus get the tag and Kofi takes it to Sheamus. Kofi takes out Cesaro and is able to get back in and land the SOS to Sheamus. Xavier tags himself in and is able to land a big elbow but Cesaro breaks up the count. Sheamus lands a big kick to Xavier and cesaro gets the tag. Cesaro sends Xavier swinging. Big E tries to create the distraction so Kofi can interfere but Cesaro catches him and sends him onto Big E. Sheamus gets the tag without Xavier knowing and is able to hit him with a Brogue kick for the win.
Winners: Cesaro & Sheamus: Still WWE Raw Tag Team Champions
My Opinion:
A good match between these teams. Over the past couple months they have faced off a lot so there is great chemistry as expected. I liked that it was back and forth and highly competitive. I am very happy Cesaro and Sheamus retained as I think they can do really well holding the gold for a while. I enjoyed that The New Day got a little taste of their own medicine and are starting to see how losing really feels. They need to go through this patch so they can rise again. If they would have kept the titles it would have just became a little unbelievable and they would have lost credibility. Things needed to be shaken up and Cesaro and Sheamus are perfect for it.

Backstage Segment
Braun is backstage and is stopped by JeriKo. Owens says just the man we were looking for. They give credit to Braun for his destruction last week. Braun asks what they want. Owens tells Braun that he thinks he will be next in line for The Universal Championship. Jericho and Owens try hard to get Braun to want to destroy Seth and Roman. Jericho says that Seth called Braun a one hit wonder. Braun says rumors are crap and so are you.

Backstage Segment:
The Golden Truth are backstage and Bayley wishes them a Merry Christmas. She gives Goldust a Dusty Rhodes Teddy bear and says that she owes him everything. Goldust says that it is the sweetest gift anyone has ever given him. They are then approached by The Club. They call them nerds and take Goldust’s teddy bear and rip off its head.

Match 2: Nia Jax vs Scarlett
Nia kicks her right in the gut. Nia takes it to her in the corner. Nia throws her down and lands a big splash in the corner. Jax then hip checks her in the corner. Nia hits the Samoan Drop for the win.
*** After the match Nia tells Scarlett to choose a better role model.
Winner: Nia Jax
My Opinion:
Very quick but effective. Nia is so much better when she just goes out there and does her thing. Nia went did her moves and got out. Simple and to the point. She sent her message without having to really talk at all. That is what she needs to do. Be dominant through action.

Backstage Segment:
Owens and Jericho tell Stephanie they want to make a complaint against Mick Foley. They air their grievances towards Foley’s decisions regarding the Royal Rumble. They ask Stephanie if she is going to let Foley do that to them. Jericho tells Stephanie that one of them should face Roman tonight. Stephanie says that Owens will get the U.S. title match tonight. Owens tells Jericho that it is great and they will become United States Champion tonight.

In Ring Segment: Bayley
Hayley says that she loves Chicago. Bayley says that Christmas came early last week when she pinned Charlotte for the third time in a row. She claims that she is pretty sure that it makes her the new number one contender. She is then interrupted by Charlotte.
Charlotte apologizes for interrupting and wanted to set the record straight. She tells that Bayley didn’t beat her. Charlotte then plays the video from last week. Charlotte says it is clear as day that her shoulder was up. Charlotte tells that for someone like her she needs to have a good lawyer. She claims that she has come to a settlement and that bayley’s victory has been erased from the record books. Charlotte says that she made the system work for her. Charlotte tells Bayley that she was always laughing at her and that she will give Bayley a second chance at her childhood dream. Bayley says let’s finish what we started last week. Charlotte then says that she was guaranteed a ref that would call it down the line. Out comes Dana Brooke.
My Opinion:
Charlotte was on tonight. I think Charlotte did very well and owned her heel character. As I said last week I love how opposite these two are. It’s truly the good vs the bad. It gives you someone to root for. It’s either you love Charlotte and want that bad guy to win or you root for Bayley hoping she will rise to the occasion. I love what they are doing here because now Bayley has to fight for what she wants and if she does get that championship it will make it that much more special. It is the perfect story right now and love the way it is going.

Match 3: Charlotte vs Bayley
The two lock up to start the match. Charlotte knocks down Bayley and lands consecutive chops to her. Bayley is able to reverse and land big kicks to her. Bayley lands a Bayley to belly to Dana. Charlotte takes advantage of the distraction and takes it to Bayley. An actual ref comes out. Bayley lands a hip toss but charlotte kicks out of the pin. Charlotte slams Bayley into the turnbuckle but bayley reverse and does it to charlotte. Bayley goes up top and lands a crossbody. Charlotte lands big elbows to bayley’s back and lands a backbreaker. She goes to lock in the Figure 8 but bayley reverse and lands a Bayley to Belly. Dana pulls out the ref. Bayley goes after Dana. Charlotte rolls up Bayley and outs her feet on the ropes for leverage. Dana counts the quick three and Bayley picks up the win.
Winner: Charlotte
My Opinion:
I liked that Bayley is fighting an uphill battle. The more she has to fight against the better her rise to the top will be and the more over she will get. This was a perfect way to do it. She didn’t lose cleanly but she did lose. It creates the controversy needed to continue this feud and make it last and turn it into one of the biggest underdog stories we have seen.

Backstage Segment:
Stephanie stops Braun backstage. Stephanie tells Strowman that he needs to worry about Seth tonight. He says he wants Sami Zayn. Stephanie tells him that she can’t find Sami but he can have a match against him next week. Braun says he wants Sami in a last man standing match next week. Stephanie tells Braun that tonight he needs to take everything out on Seth Rollins tonight.

Match 4: Neville vs TJ Perkins
The two lock up but TJ is quickly able to get a drop kick. He is able to land a big hurricanrana and sends Neille out of the ring. He lands a corkscrew over the top rope to take out Neville. TJ goes to the top rope and lands a crossbody. Neville is able to land a kick to TJ’s head and send him to the outside. TJ is driven into the barricade. Neville brings him back into the ring and lands a couple of elbows to Tj’s face. Neville is able to lock in a chin lock on TJ but TJ is able to reverse and land on his feet. TJ lands a drop kick that drives Neville out of the ring. TJ lands a wrecking ball drop kick and follows up with a gutbuster but it is not enough to stop Neville. The two trade blows. TJ lands a detonation kick to the side of Neville’s head. TJ tries to go for the kneebar but Nville catches him and rolls him up using the tights for leverage to get the win.
*** After the match Charly asks Neville what he is going to do next. Neville says that when you leave bodies lying everyone wants to talk to you. Neville says people just wanted to talk to him to make fun of him. He says that America’s ignorance has prevented him being appreciated. He claims that tomorrow he will defeat Rich Swann and he is the true king of the Cruiserweights.
Winner: Neville
My Opinion:
I enjoyed the match a lot. We saw the special things that TJ can do but also saw that Neville is delivering as a heel. The only thing I knock him for is that Neville seems to be trying to hard to be a heel. He is trying to pull out everything just to draw a little heat. He has to slow down and be a heel but embrace the cheers. As Jericho says “drink it in man.”

In Ring segment: Enzo and Cass
Enzo says that sensitivity class isn’t his speed. He says that Rusev and Jinder are both chicken. He says they have no backbone. He claims that no matter what they have planned they have no hope in finding him solo. He says that Cass is batting clean up. Cass tells Rusev to trap him in a room and see how well he does. He calls Rusev a coward and that Rusev doesn’t have guts to do that to him. He tells that if he has a problem with Enzo then he has a problem with him. Cass tells Rusev to come out if he has a problem. Out comes Rusev followed by Jinder Mahal.
Jinder slaps Enzo. Enzo takes out Jinder and Rusev and Cass go at it. Cass sends Rusev out of the ring with a big boot. They put Jinder in the wheelchair and take him out. Cass lands another big boot to Rusev.
My Opinion:
I love the aggression Cass has been showing. It is so believable and just fun to watch. It adds almost a whole new superstar out there. Plus in tag team regards there is no better way to build up Enzo and Cass than by best friends that have each other’s backs. This storyline over the past few weeks has been very entertaining. We have gotten to see a lot of backstage segments and a lot of Cass standing up for his friend and it just makes it feel so real and something you can really buy into. It’s nice to see Raw making use of Jinder Mahal as well.

Match 5: Darren Young and Bo Dallas vs
The Shining Stars (Primo & Epico)
Primo and Darren start off the match. Dareen lands some big rights. Then out comes Braun strowman. He takes out Bo then Primo. Braun then takes out Darren young. Epico tries to hit Braun with a chair but braun takes him out as well. He then sends Darren into Backlund. Braun takes out Primo, Epico and Bo with the stairs.
Winners: No winners
My Opinion:
I like this move again. Braun going out there and just laying waste to everyone. It is a great way to build him up and reminds me of other monsters we have seen before. Braun is starting to come into his own and it is awesome to watch.

Match 6: Braun Strowman vs Seth Rollins
Braun backs Rollins into the corner. He throws down Rollins. Rollins tries to use his quickness. Braun goes over the top rope and Rollins lands a suicide dive but Braun isn’t fazed. Braun lands a big shot to Rollins chest. Rollins is able to land a kick to Rollins face. Braun then misses and goes into the ring post. Braun still doesn’t go down. Rollins goes top but is caught by Braun. Braun drives him into the corner. Rollins goes to the top again and hits Braun with a couple of boots. Rollins lands the Blockbuster but Braun gets right back up. Braun sends Rollins over the ropes as Rollins looked for the Pedigree. As Braun and Rollins are on the outside Sami Zayn comes out. He attacks Brun and sends him into the ring post. He jumps the barricade and Braun chases after him. Jericho then comes out and lands a codebreaker on Rollins. He then does it a second time.
Winner: Braun Strowman
My Opinion:
Braun was dominant for the duration of the match. I loved how he couldn’t be knocked down and when he did he got right back up. He took it to Seth and showed he can more than hang with a former World Champion. I like sami coming out because it creates more tension between him and braun and next week will be great between those two. Also Jericho coming out was great as well. It keeps up that feud and Jericho is awesome now a days.

Backstage Segment:
Charly asks Owens how he feels about tonight. Owens says Rollins is out and he will win the U.S. title and they will become the champion.

Match 8: The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs The Golden Truth (R-Truth & Goldust)
Goldust stomps on Anderson in the corner. Truth gets the tag and gets sent into Anderson. Truth lands a big hip toss and then a leg drop to follow. Gallows gets the tag and delivers a big boot. He then lands a big elbow before tagging in Anderson. Anderson gets a chin lock but Truth fights out. He goes back to the chin lock after a failed pin attempt. Gallows gets the tag again. Truth is able to land a heel kick to catch Gallows. Anderson gets the tag and so does Goldust. Goldust lands a big powerslam. He throws Anderson into the barricade and rolls him back into the ring. Anderson rolls up Goldust from behind and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson)
My Opinion:
I enjoyed this match. It really wasn’t bad and The Golden Truth looked really well. I loved seeing an aggressive Goldust and R-Truth was good as well. It was the right call having The Club get the win but for the most part the golden Truth looked like a tag team that could hang. Maybe it was just a one time thing but if they keep this up who knows maybe they could be in the title hunt at some point. First though The Club needs to be given a better chance and have a run with the titles but I wouldn’t do it yet. You have to make them more heelish first and let them go for it at Mania and really send them to the next level.

Match 8: Ariya Davari vs Rich Swann
Davari knocks down Swann and stomps on him. Swann follows up with a right hand. Davari hits a big neckbreaker but Swann is out at 2. Swann lands a running clothesline and then a double stomp to Davari. Swann lands a big kick to pick up the win.
*** Charly asks Swann about Neville. Swann says he is a sour puss. He says that Neville will get his fight. Neville comes from behind and attacks him. He sends Swann into the apron. He brings Swann into the ring and lands a 450 splash.
Winner: Rich Swann
My Opinion:
As I have said before Davari is really good. He always delivers but doesn’t get the opportunities he deserves. That is the problem with this though. All these great talents and one title so it makes it very tough. Maybe we could see a Cruiserweight tag team titles at some point. Swann did very well and his kicks are beautiful. I don’t think he should be champion right now though. The character has the feel of an indy wrestler. I like what Neville is doing and think he should be the next champion. Either way the Cruiserweight division is starting to pick up and becoming more interesting each week. The 205 Live show is really helping in taking the division to the next level.

Backstage segment:
Charly asks Davari about his loss. Davari blames the loss on Jack Gallagher. Jack says that he will allow Davari to retract his words. Jack challenges Davari to a duel. He then slaps Davari.

Match 9: Roman Reigns(c) vs Kevin Owens:
WWE United States Championship Match
The two lock up after a standoff. Owens lands a kick to the midsection and locks in a side headlock. Roman throws Owens off the ropes but can’t knock him down. He does it again and this time knocks him down. Roman lands a big right hand on the outside. Owens is able to land a kick to the face in the ring but Roman lands a big clothesline. Out comes Jericho. Off the distraction Owens lands a ddt but Roman kicks out. Owens lands a senton but Roman kicks out again. We head to break with Owens on the offensive.
As we return Roman starts to get back on the offensive with a clothesline. He lands another to follow-up. He pounds on Ownes in the corner but Owens reverses with a big kick. He lands the Cannonball in the corner but roman is able to kick out of the pin attempt. Owens lands a big kick to Roman’s back and is able to get a chinlock on Roman. Owens yells at the ref to ask Roman if he gives up but Roman won’t give in. He fights back and lands punches to Ownes gut. Owens lands knees to the gut and Roman is sent out of the ring. Owens sends Roman into the barricade. Roman is able to regain control with the drive by. He brings Owens back into the ring and lands clotheslines in the corner and then followed with a big boot. He hits the Samoan Drop but Owens is out at 2 on the pin. Owens is able to connect with the backstabber and goes for the cover. Roman is out at 2. Owens looks for the pop up powerbomb but Roman hangs onto the ropes. The two trades rights and Roman lands a sit down powerbomb but Owens kicks out on the pin attempt. Roman loads up for the superman punch but Owens catches him. Roman tries again and this time hits but Owens kicks out at 2 when Roman went for the cover. Owens hits the codebreaker but Roman kicks out. Out comes Rollins to even the odds. He hits a Pedigree on Jericho but Owens hits a superkick on Ownes. Owens gets back into the ring and is hit with a spear. Roman gets the 1 2 3 to retain the title.
*** Rollins hits a Pedigree on Owens after the match. Roman hits a spear on Jericho.
Winner: Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
The match was electric. The crowd was into it and these two put on a show. The only thing I don’t like is that this is a match set for the Royal Rumble and it happens on Raw. I just remember the days where you couldn’t wait to see two men fight because you hadn’t seen them fight. This is supposed to be a main event on a pay per view and we get it on Raw. I am all for that it just seems a little premature. You have to be impressed though. Reigns Rollins Jericho and Owens have carried Rw into the new year. These guys have given everything they had for Raw and it shows. They delivered great matches and they have made a rivalry last a long time between the two sides. Excellent job by them and they showed heading into 2017 why they are the top 4 superstars on Raw.

Final Thoughts:
Not a bad Raw to the end the year. For the most part the show was very smooth and didn’t feel like it dragged on. I enjoyed the Cruiserweights this week. Neville is really becoming a great character and adds a special touch to the division. Even Jack Gallagher backstage was very funny. I loved Bayley and Charlotte tonight. I thought Charlotte owned as a heel tonight and they are really doing a great thing for Bayley by making her climb to the top. Braun was off the charts tonight. He was very dominate and tore it up. He is really becoming the monster they want him to be. Also props to Cesaro and Sheamus for a successful title defense. The main event was very good as well. Roman and Owens are magic together and put on a show. It was a good way to end the year. Goodbye 2016, hello 2017!
Overall Rating: 7/10