Welcome to another edition of Monday Night Raw as they hail from Richmond, Virginia the night after the Payback PPV. The PPV was better than expected and usually the Monday Night Raw after the PPV are pretty good so I’m expecting big things from Monday Night Raw. Let’s Get Started!!!
Good
Opening Segment: The show opened with the Authority and the return of Stephanie. They talked about Seth Rollins having a successful title defense and also Daniel Bryan being out with an injury again. At the Elimination Chamber PPV, there will be a new Intercontinental Champion will be crowned as six men enter the chamber to determine a new champion and that brought out Sheamus. He showed footage of his match against Bryan a month ago on Smackdown, which was reported that Sheamus was pretty reckless during that match and not protecting Daniel Bryan. Ryback came out to confront Sheamus on his claims of injuring Daniel Bryan and challenged Sheamus to match. Stephanie announced they both are participants in the Elimination Chamber, then Triple H booked the match of Sheamus against Ryback after the break.
Sheamus vs. Ryback: This was a really competitive, physical match between these two. Sheamus targeted the injured ribs of Ryback’s and pulled off the win after a Brogue Kick when he faked an eye injury.
Neville vs. Bad News Barrett: Bo Dallas tried to attack Neville before the match started, but it didn’t quite work out. Barrett picked up the win because of the injury to the leg of Neville and afterwards, Dallas attacked Neville. I’m cool with it because Neville & Dallas have history from NXT and they both will get a rub from there possible feud.
Rusev/Lana: This was a pretty strong segment and I’m very curious to see where things will go from here seeing they’re split now.
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt: Once again these guys delivered a really good match. Ambrose has been on fire for a while now and at some point I’d love to see these two feuds over the WWE title. This was just a physical match between these guys and the crowd enjoyed every bit of it because they were chanting it was awesome. I’m cool with Wyatt getting the win with outside interference from J&J Security.
Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. New Day: This wasn’t much of a match because when Xavier Woods interfered in the match that brought out the Lucha Dragons, Los Matadores, The Ascension and the Primetime Players all came out and brawled with the Primetime Players being left standing tall while the crowd chanted that it was awesome.
John Cena/Kevin Owens: Cena came out and cut another nice promo before issuing the challenge that was answered by NXT Champ Kevin Owens. They went back & forth on each other before Owens kicked Cena in the gut and hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb. Great segment and if anyone followed Kevin Owens aka Kevin Steen, he’s a great wrestler, talker and will be a player on the main roster sooner rather than later. Also, later on it was confirmed that he’ll face Cena at the Elimination Chamber PPV.
Naomi vs. Nikki Bella: Not so much for the match, but when Nikki was going to hit the Rack Attack on Naomi but was attacked by Tamina. Naomi & Tamina were beating up Nikki until Paige returned to help out Nikki, but she attacked Nikki also and raised the Divas title.
Seth Rollins Appreciation Segment: Rollins has come a long way since the days of the Shield. After they aired the video package for Rollins and the Authority was celebrating with Rollins that brought out Ambrose to come to the ring with the Authority. Ambrose demanded to get a championship match against Rollins, and then Stephanie said Rollins isn’t scared so she told him to get Ambrose. Ambrose attacked Rollins, but he was attacked by J&J Security then they all fought outside when Ambrose got the upperhand. He revealed cinder blocks and put Rollins head on them and threatened to hit him over the head. Stephanie granted Ambrose the championship match and when Ambrose went to hit Rollins Mercury grabbed the chair. He continued to beat everyone down and was going to hit the Dirty Deeds on Kane until Rollins attacked him and finished him with the Pedigree.
Bad
Dolph Ziggler vs. Stardust: I just wish they would do more with Cody or Stardust. Ziggler got interviewed by Cole after his match, and then Lana came out and kissed Dolph. Interesting!!! Rusev made his way out to attack Ziggler then turned his attention to Lana, but Dolph hit the Zig Zag and left with Lana.
Erick Rowan & Luke Harper vs. Fandango & Zack Ryder: Basically a squash match, but I’m glad they’re back together.
Overall Rating: 8/10- Once again Monday Night Raw after a PPV has been a great one and this was no different. The opening segment that lead to the match between Sheamus & Ryback were really good. It seems like we’re going to have a Neville/Bo Dallas feud, which could help both men out seeing the history they have with each other. The Rusev/Lana situation became interesting as he told her to leave and later in the show she came out to kiss Dolph Ziggler. Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt had an excellent match and I like the segment with all the tag teams getting involved. The Kevin Owens/John Cena was great and looking forward to the match with Owens & Zayn tonight and Owens facing John Cena at the Elimination Chamber PPV, great time to be Kevin Owens now. Loved the return of Paige and the final segment was crazy, which is something we’ve become accustomed to when it involves Dean Ambrose. Elimination Chamber is looking pretty good so far with the Ambrose/Rollins, Cena/Owens and the Elimination Chamber matches for the tag team and Intercontinental titles.
Top 5 Happenings on Raw:
1) Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
2) Kevin Owens Debut
3) Lana with Dolph Ziggler
4) Tag Title Situation
5) Opening/Closing Segments
What did you think about Monday Night Raw? What were your highlights and lowlights of Monday Night Raw? What was the best match from Monday Night Raw? What are your thoughts on how the Elimination Chamber PPV so far? Leave a comment in the section below and let me know what you thought about Monday Night Raw.
